Setup and Connection, Rear Panel Features, AC power

9.LOW CUT: Rolls off 12dB per octave at 80Hz and below when engaged. Use this to avoid rumble from passing traffic, footsteps and so forth.

10.COMPRESSOR IN/OUT: Engages/disengages the TAMPA’s entire compressor stage. When disengaged, TAMPA’s compressor circuitry is removed from the signal path.

11.COMPRESSOR IN/OUT INDICATOR: Lights when the COMPRESSOR IN/OUT switch is set to the “IN” position to indicate that the compressor is on and is part of the signal path.

12.THRESHOLD:Threshold level at which the compressor engages. Range is from –20dB to +20dB.

13.RATIO: Ratio of the input dynamic above the compression threshold to the output dynamic above the compression threshold. Range is from 1.1:1 to 10:1.

14.ATTACK: Controls the amount of time required for the compressor to reduce the gain once the threshold level is reached. Range is 1 millisecond to 11 milliseconds.

15.RELEASE: Controls the amount of time it takes the compressor to return to normal or zero gain reduction. Range is from 250 milliseconds to 5 seconds.

16.GAIN REDUCTION METER: Provides metering (in decibels) of the gain reduction resulting from compression, where 0 VU represents zero gain reduction.

17.OUTPUT METER: Provides metering (in decibels) of TAMPA’s overall output level (prior to the 20dB PAD), where 0 VU represents +26dBu.This meter is unaffected by the 20dB PAD switch. Note that this is a `quasi-peak type’ meter whose ballistics respond with approximately the same dynamics as the human ear.

18.CLIP: Indicator illuminates when output signal reaches +26dBu (approx. 0VU on OUTPUT METER).This is equivalent to approximately 4dB below the digital clipping level of 30.5dBu.

19.PHASE: Reverses the phase of TAMPA’s output.The INVERT position forces TAMPA’s analog audio output to be 180 degrees out of phase from the input, where the NORM position leaves the analog output in phase with the input. NOTE: Digital output is always in phase with the input.

20.20dB PAD: When engaged, attenuates TAMPA’s analog output by 20dB— useful in avoiding the overload of subsequent equipment in the sound chain. The 20dB pad will also allow you increase the gain on the TAMPA preamp and force the signal into an area of greater soft-clipping/tube emulation.The 20dB PAD appears in the TAMPA circuit after the OUTPUT LEVEL METER. NOTE: Digital output level is not affected by the 20dB pad.

21.SAMPLE RATE:Adjusts the sample rate of TAMPA’s digital outputs to match the sampling rate of the digital gear TAMPA is feeding. Settings are 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz.

Figure 2 - TAMPA Back Panel Features

Rear Panel Features

1.S/PDIF OUTPUT: Outputs a mono 24-bit S/PDIF signal on both left and right channels at the sample rate specified by the SAMPLE RATE selector. This female coaxial RCA jack accepts a digital coaxial cable with a male RCA plug, and connects to external gear that will receive a S/PDIF digital signal.

2.AES/EBU OUTPUT: Outputs a mono 24-bit AES/EBU signal on both left and right channels at the sample rate specified by the SAMPLE RATE selector. This male XLR jack accepts a digital coaxial cable with a female XLR plug, and connects to external gear that will receive an AES/EBU digital signal.

3.BALANCED/UNBALANCED 1/4” TRS OUTPUT: Outputs a balanced analog line-level signal when using a 1/4” TRS plug, or an unbalanced analog line-level signal when using a 1/4” TS plug.

4.BALANCED XLR OUTPUT: Outputs a balanced analog line-level signal on a male XLR jack, and accepts a standard audio cable with a female XLR plug. Pin 2 is positive. (You should verify that other equipment you are connecting is also wired with pin 2 positive.)

5.12VAC: Power connector for TAMPA’s external power supply.

(WARNING: Do not use any power supply other than the model that shipped with your TAMPA, as damage to your equipment may result.)

Setup and Connection

Connecting TAMPA to your equipment is simple.

AC power

To route AC power to TAMPA, connect the external power supply that comes with TAMPA between the 12VAC jack on the rear panel and AC power.

WARNING: Do not use any other power supply than the model that shipped with your TAMPA, as damage to your equipment may result.