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Transducer
Modell 2601

Analog Speaker- and Miking-Simulator

Control Elements (from left to right)

(click on diagram to enlarge)

Speaker Action
This simulates speaker cone characteristics at different levels. With a moderately driven guitar box (Speaker Action from 0%-35%), speakers ideally reproduce the signal clearly without too many side effects. As levels increase, overtones are added by the overdriven speaker, producing its characteristic “rasping” distortion effect. Speaker Action allows for the simulation of this effect.
Speaker Actions is, as with Miking Level and Output Gain, a level control. Turning it to the left allows only low levels to pass, just as with a cabinet driven at low levels. If a small Speaker Action is wanted, it must be compensated for with a comparable increase in Miking Level – in principle the same as you would need to do in working with a cabinet.

Signal LED
The signal LED indicates the presence of a signal at the Transducer‘s input. It is activated at a -20?dBu level.

Speaker Cabinet
This switch toggles between an open and closed guitar cabinet characteristic.
“Open” sounds definitely more open, brilliant and direct, as the signal contains more transients and produces less punch as with the “Closed” setting, wherein the sound has more punch and with its added compression more closely creates the impression of the compressed air in a closed box, though with less brilliance and detail.

Speaker Voicing
This offers the choice of sound and attack characteristics from either alnico speakers (Sparky) or the British ceramic construction (Mellow). The “Sparky” setting produces a lively, more responsive sound with additional overtones, while the “Mellow” setting sounds warmer and softer.

Miking Level
A microphone produces a different sound at lower sound levels than at higher ones. With the Transducer‘s Miking Level one can simulate these differences. Increasing the Miking Level effect produces a stronger compression level and a denser sound canvas. This builds an effect of increasing loudness.
A lower miking level produces a more refined and at the same time, marked high frequency production with reduced mids.

Microphone Selection
This provides for selecting either condenser or dynamic microphone characteristics. Depending upon the cabinet these microphone choices will affect the sound right from the start, and clearly this will continue to contribute to the overall available guitar sound.
A condenser microphone normally sounds more open and transparent, though less punchy than a dynamic. It is also unforgiving, and, for example, can quickly single out weaknesses in loudspeaker microphoning. A dynamic microphone has more punch, though it sounds less clear than a condenser. It can be more forgiving and withstands higher sound pressure levels.

Microphone Distance
The sound dispersion characteristics of guitar speakers varies with microphone distance, with slightly distanced microphoning adding more ambience. With Microphone Distance settings it is possible to simulate these different sonic characteristics.
The Close setting provides a more direct sound and tends to sit in the front of the mix. With sharply defined corners and angles, full detailing and overtone rich, this sound is suited for soloists. In contrast, the Ambient setting is ideal for a “wall of sound“ – and is sonically less direct, softer, but with more push and punch.

Output Gain
This controls the Line Output 1 and 2 output levels; the Mic Level Output is not influenced by this control.
This LED illuminates 3?dB before the internal microphone preamplifier stage is overloaded. In this case, be sure to lower the Output Gain until the OVL LED goes out. The Mic Level Output is independent from the Output Gain control.

Overload LED
Line Output 1 and Line Output 2 only. This LED illuminates 3?dB before the internal microphone preamplifier stage is overloaded. In this case, be sure to lower the Output Gain until the OVL LED goes out.

Leveling the Transducer
It is important to consider added power amp distortion, as it is the basis for the Transducer‘s concept with its ability to process up to a 200 Watt, 8 ohm cabinet-amplified signal. Avoid too much mental separation in what should be your integrated Transducer level control thinking, as just with situations that employ traditional guitar amp and cabinets, you must consider the interaction with a guitar amp – and here especially in relation to the preamp and master gain.

 

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