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Heritage Output and Mix Bus Processing

Heritage Output Card​

The Heritage Output Card provides tonal options on the stereo Mix Bus output.

ASP8024-HE Heritage Output Card with Bus Link Retro Iron Low Bump and High Lift

Retro Iron​

RETRO IRON inserts a vintage-inspired output stage and two Carnhill transformers into the stereo mix path. The manual describes the audible result as additional weight and punch, particularly in the low end, with a wider and more pronounced sound stage.

Low Bump​

With Retro Iron engaged, LOW BUMP adds a broad approximately +2 dB lift centred around 60 Hz.

High Lift​

With Retro Iron engaged, HIGH LIFT adds a broad approximately +2 dB lift around 20 kHz.

Low Bump and High Lift are part of the Retro Iron circuit and only affect the mix when Retro Iron is engaged.

Bus Link / DFA​

When the optional 48 Bus Mod is installed, BUS LINK combines the second set of 24 buses with buses 1–24 so the console can operate as a conventional 24-bus desk across all input channels.

When the 48 Bus Mod is not installed, the switch is labelled/used as DFA in the source manual.

Bus Compressor​

The stereo VCA compressor is located after the main Mix Insert and before the Master Fader. It is optimised for mix-bus processing and can be bypassed completely when not required.

ASP8024-HE stereo bus compressor controls

Controls​

  • THRESHOLD sets the level at which compression begins.
  • GAIN MAKE-UP restores output level lost through gain reduction.
  • ATTACK selects 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 or 30 ms. Faster settings react more quickly to transients; slower settings allow more of the initial transient through.
  • RELEASE selects 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 or 2.4 seconds, plus AUTO.
  • RATIO selects 2:1, 4:1 or 10:1.
  • BASS EXPAND places a 350 Hz, 6 dB/octave high-pass filter in the detector sidechain so low and lower-mid frequencies have less influence on compression.
  • IN places the compressor in the stereo Mix Bus.
  • GAIN REDUCTION METER shows the amount of compression being applied.

The manual recommends using compression deliberately and notes that only a small amount of gain-reduction movement may be required to make a mix feel more cohesive.

A higher threshold and higher ratio can also be used to control occasional peaks.

ASP8024-HE bus-compressor gain reduction meter

Master Fader​

The Master Fader controls the final stereo console output after Mix Bus processing.

ASP8024-HE stereo master fader

Unlike the channel faders, the Master Fader is calibrated with 0 dB at the top of its travel. Its main purpose is final output control and manual fade-outs.

Under normal operating conditions, keep the fader at 0 dB. If the Master Fader has to be pulled down substantially to obtain a sensible output level, reduce levels feeding the Mix Bus instead.

At the bottom of the fader travel the signal is effectively off.

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