Manley Backbone Specifications download pdf (Page 8)

INSERTS 4 & 5…SWAP!

INSERT 4 and INSERT 5 are also special. You can reverse the order of these two using the but-

ton below marked SWAP. With the button pushed, Insert 5 precedes Insert 4. Whatever processors you

choosefortheseinserts,verifythatwithbothunitsNOTbypassedand“at”(e.g.zerocompression),

that there are no unwanted effects related to the patch order, including other processors potentially in

the chain (especially Inserts 3 and 6 which are nearest 4 & 5).

It might be interesting to put compressor/limiters on these inserts. Depending on settings and the

order,therecanbebenetsinhoweachrespondsdynamically,especiallyifoneunittendstoovershoot

a bit. Of course, the SWAP button will be appreciated by those who are tormented with the decision

of whether EQ should precede compression or vice versa. Usually, “it just depends.” With the gentle

processing typical in mastering, there isn’t much difference.

INSERTS 6-8

 NextinthesignalowareINSERT6andINSERT7,whicharenotspecial(liketheirneighbors

are, at least). Some engineers prefer these inserts for their main processors and some for their alterna-

tive or “occasional” processors. We know that was an ambiguous sentence, but what we mean is, use

these inserts for whatever you’d like to. We don’t mind either way.

INSERT 8 is special if for no other reason than being the last process in the chain. This, of course,

islikelythemostappropriateplaceforyournallimiter.Wemightsuggestthatthisprocessorinsertbe

used to sometimes push the level, after keeping the signal at more reasonable and conventional levels

earlier in the chain.

Between INSERT 7 and INSERT 8 is a multi-purpose function. Pushing the button labeled MIX

FADE below them engages the large Penny and Giles rotary knob to the right of INSERT 8. This is es-

pecially handy for “Producer Fades”. Most of the time, fades are simply done graphically in the work-

station, but there are occasions when one wants a manual fade and big knob to ride the volume down

(or up). This rotary knob is called the...

MIX/FADE KNOB

There is a small toggle switch associated with this circuit that sets up alternative functions. With the

switch down, the FADER is a fader. Simple. With the switch in the middle, the knob becomes a preci-

sion stereo mixer. Lastly, in the “up” position, the mixer uses the “DIF” signal (unprocessed by Inserts

2 and 3) from that earlier part of the console so one can blend in a little extra width.

The basic MIX function is typically used for several purposes. One is the so-called “parallel com-

pression” which generally employs a limiter set for somewhat drastic settings. When it is blended into

the main path, it has the effect of raising lower level signals without squashing transients, which sort of

translates to less quiet dynamics and increased ambiance. It can be considered a technique for manipu-

lating quiet sections rather as opposed to normal limiting that affects the louder passages.

One could also try lightly mixing in extreme EQ or compression settings on the SUM or DIF parts

of the signal, via the back panel XLRs. If you’re interested, more details on MIX/FADE techniques fol-

low later on in the manual...

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Manley Backbone Specifications Page 8