Project Channel Essential Channel Strip High quality channel strip featuring Aphex Class A preamp, optical compressor, Aural Exciter & Big Bottom processors. Microphone and instrument inputs plus balanced analog and S/PDIF digital outputs. Combine a Class A microphone preamp and classic optical compressor with Aphex’s patented Big Bottom and Exciter processors into an easy to use channel strip and you’ve got everything you need to get a fully sculpted signal. Rear panel analog I/O, digital output and front panel instrument input make the Project Channel flexible enough for any situation. POWER INDICATION The Aphex logo glows green when the unit is on and ready for use. CLASS A MIC PRE The Project Channel works well with all professional microphones. There is a red LED clip indicator that will light when too much input signal is overloading the preamp. When this happens, lower the input gain knob until the peak LED stops flashing. If the input gain knob is turned all the way down and the peak LED is still flashing, you’ll need to engage the -20dB pad and adjust the input gain knob appropriately. The clean and stable 48V phantom supply is suitable for even the most expensive microphones. The 12dB/ octave low cut filter starts at 70Hz. The filter is a useful tool for removing unwanted low frequencies like air conditioner hum or street rumble. OPTICAL COMPRESSOR The Project Channel includes an optical compressor which has proven to be outstanding. It is very simple to use with only an on/off button and ratio control. To get deeper compression, turn up more Gain. To achieve more gain reduction, turn up the ratio control. Note that the units output level may need to be boosted once the compressor has been used to control the dynamics of the signal. TONE ENHANCEMENT BLOCK This section includes the popular Aphex Big Bottom and Aural Exciter processors. These features increase power, punch and presence without adding noise or an increase in output level. As a real plus, they are also very easy to adjust. METERS Meters are provided for peak output level and the compressor’s gain reduction. The output level bar graph will move upwards indicating level, and the gain reduction bar graph will move downwards indicating gain reduction. The output level meter is DBFS. It is meant to match the digital input meter of your DAW when using the S/ PDIF coaxial digital output of the Project Channel with an audio interface. OUTPUT CONTROL Once all processing is set where you want it, the output level may need to be adjusted. 0dB on the peak meter is equal to +24dBU for the analog outputs. DIGITAL AUDIO The Project Channel supplies an industry standard, coaxial, stereo S/PDIF digital audio output. The signal appears on both channels as a mono signal. Sample rate options are available at the front panel.