Artistic Leveler - Level Fredenstein - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	500 Series Opto Compressor
Brand	Fredenstein
Model	Artistic Leveler
Form Factor	500 Series Module
Power Requirements	±16V, < ±75mA (~2W)
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz, ±1 dB
Make-up Gain	+20 dB max
Distortion	< 0.05% (no compression)
Noise	< -86 dB (ref +4 dBu, no makeup gain)
Input Impedance	> 5000 Ohms
Max Input Level	+26 dBu
Output Impedance	600 Ohms
Max Output Level	+26 dBu
Clip Indicator	+24 dBu
Input Gain Range	-10 dB to +20 dB
Side-chain Filter	150 Hz, 300 Hz, or Off (switchable)
Attack Time	0.5 ms, 5 ms, 25 ms (switchable)
Release Time	0.3 s to 5 s (continuous)
Compression Ratio	2:1 to 7.5:1 (continuous)
Wet/Dry Mix	Yes (parallel compression)
Link Capability	Multi-channel via link switch
External Side-chain	Yes (via Bento aux input)
Bypass Mode	Relay bypass when powered down
Indicators	GR LED bar graph (1-16 dB), Clip LED
Audio Circuitry	Reverse-Mancini opto, OPA2 opamp, steel core transformer

Frequently Asked Questions - Artistic Leveler Fredenstein

What is the Fredenstein Artistic Leveler?

The Fredenstein Artistic Leveler is a single-channel opto compressor in the 500 series format, featuring Reverse-Mancini opto architecture, a discrete OPA2 operational amplifier, and a vintage-style steel core output transformer.

How do I install the Artistic Leveler in a 500 series rack?

Power down the rack before insertion. Ensure that no third-party modules using the link interconnect (pin 6) are present in the same rack, or turn off their link switches. In Fredenstein Bento racks, the link switch should only be enabled between Artistic Leveler modules.

What type of opto compressor is it?

It is a fixed-threshold opto compressor where compression depth is controlled by the Input Gain control. The threshold is fixed, and increasing input gain increases gain reduction. The Output control provides makeup gain up to +20 dB.

How do I set the attack and release times?

The Attack switch has three positions: 0.5 ms, 5 ms, and 25 ms. The Release control is continuous from 0.3 s to 5 s. Choose settings based on program material: faster attack for transient control, slower for more natural compression.

What is the purpose of the side-chain filter?

The three-position SC Filter selects a low-cut filter in the side-chain: Off, 150 Hz, or 300 Hz. This prevents low frequencies below the selected value from triggering compression, allowing the compressor to react less to bass content and more to mid/high frequencies.

Can I use the external side-chain input?

Yes, when using a Fredenstein Bento 6 or Bento 10 rack, set the SC Input switch to EXT to enable external side-chain via the rack's AUX input connector. This allows another audio source to control the compressor's dynamics.

How does the Link function work?

The Link switch synchronizes multiple Artistic Leveler modules for stereo or multi-channel operation. All linked channels will have identical gain reduction, preserving the stereo balance. Use link switches only between Artistic Levelers, not with third-party modules.

What is the Wet/Dry Mix control for?

The Mix control blends the compressed (wet) signal with the uncompressed (dry) signal, enabling parallel compression. Fully counterclockwise gives only compressed, fully clockwise gives only dry. Intermediate settings allow creative mixing of dynamics.

What are the maximum input and output levels?

The maximum input level is +26 dBu and maximum output level is also +26 dBu. The Clip LED lights at +24 dBu, providing 2 dB of headroom before clipping.

How do I bypass the compressor?

Set the ON/BYP switch to the lower (BYP) position to bypass the compressor. When the rack is powered down, a relay automatically connects the output directly to the input, effectively bypassing the unit. The gain reduction meter remains active even in bypass.

USER MANUAL Artistic Leveler Fredenstein

Black silhouette of a human ear with the letter 'F' inside, no text or symbols present.

Fredenstein

Professional Audio

Artistic

Leveler

Operating Manual

Fredenstein Artistic Leveler

The Artistic Leveler is a single channel opto compressor with multi-channel link capability in the 500 series form factor. If used in Fredenstein Bento 6 or Bento 10 racks, an external side-chain input is available through the Bento's Aux input connector.

The Leveler features rotary controls for Input Gain, Release Time, Compression Ratio, Make-up Gain and Wet-Dry Mixing (parallel compression). The Attack Time can be set in three steps, as well as the side-chain low cut filter. The side-chain can be fed externally by activating the SC Input switch. The LED bar-graph meter indicates the gain reduction in the range of 1dB to 16dB. Its punchy and detailed sound is generated by three major components:

1) Fredenstein's proprietary Reverse-Mancini opto architecture
2) our advanced OPA2 discrete Audio Operational Amplifier
3) the American made vintage style steel core output transformer

As all Fredenstein products, the Artistic Leveler is designed by a German-American team and manufactured in Taiwan.

Installation:

Please power down your rack or box first, before inserting the Artistic Leveler. Since the Artistic Leveler uses the link interconnect in the box or rack, it cannot coexist with any other third-party modules using the same link interconnect (PIN 6 on the edge connector). If you are using a Fredenstein Bento box, please turn off the compressor link switches to any third party module(s), only turn on the link switches between Artistic Leveler modules.

Other third party equipment not using the link interconnect, such as most Mic-Pres and EQs etc, can be used simultaneously with the Artistic Comp in any enclosure. The power requirements are very light at maximum of +/-16V, +/-75mA and should not overload any enclosure.

Fredenstein Artistic Leveler

Rotary Controls:

INPUT : Sets the line level gain in the

range of -10 dB to +20 dB

RAT : Sets the compression ratio in the

range of 2:1 to 7.5:1

REL : Sets the release time of the

compressor from 0.3s to 5s

OUTPUT : Make-up gain control in the

range of 0 dB to +20 dB

MIX : Output Mixer between the

compressed (wet) and

uncompressed (dry) signals

Switches:

SC Filter : Selects the low cut filter in the

side-chain.

lower position: off

middle position: 300Hz

upper position: 150Hz

SC Input : Position INT: Normal operation

EXT: Enables the external side-

chain input when used in Bento 6

or 10 racks through the AUX

input connector

LINK : Multi-channel synchronization

for two or more Artistic comp

modules. All channels will have

identical gain reduction to avoid

shifts in the balance

ATT : Compressor Attack Time

lower position: 0.5 ms

middle position: 25 ms

upper position: 5 ms

ON/BYP : in upper ON position, the

compressor is active, in the lower

BYP (BYPASS) position or if the

rack is powered down, a relay

connects the output directly to

the input, the gain reduction

meter will still show the depth

of compression

Indicators:

CLIP LED : Lit when the output level reaches

+24dBu (2db before clipping)

GR (Gain Reduction) : Shows actual gain reduction in

the range of 1db to 8db in one db

steps and 2dB for 8dB to 16dB

Fredenstein Artistic Leveler

Detailed Description:

Like most opto compressors, the Fredenstein Artistic Leveler features a fixed threshold. The compression depth is controlled by changing the input gain. Increasing the input gain will cause the Leveler to apply an increased gain reduction. The output level control is used to make up for the gain reduction. The maximum compressor output gain is +20 dB.

The ATTACK TIME switch and RELEASE TIME control define how fast the compressor reacts and how fast it falls back after the signal is lower than the threshold. The perfect values are depending on the program material and the desired sound..

The COMP RATIO control sets the relationship between input and output level for signals above the threshold and can be varied from 2:1 to 7.5:1.

Additionally, so called dry/wet mixes can be performed (parallel compression). The dry signal (uncompressed) and the wet signal (compressed) can be mix together in any relationship to achieve special sounds. The Wet-Dry control of the Artistic Leveler dramatically boosts the versatility of the device. If you put the Wet-Dry control fully counter clockwise, only the compressed signal is present at the output, if turned fully clockwise only the unprocessed input signal reaches the output. Another sound shaping tool is the three position side-chain low cut filter. If switched to 150 or 300Hz, it prevents low frequency signals below the selected value from being processed by the compressor. If the external side-chain input is used, the dynamics of the signal can be controlled by another source, which allows for more creative sounds.

Technical Data:

Frequency Response : 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz, +/- 1dB

Make-up Gain : + 20 dB

Distortion: < 0.05%, no compression

Noise : < -86 dB, no make-up gain (+4dBu reference)

Input Impedance : > 5000 Ohms

Max. Input Level : + 26dBu

Output Impedance : 600 Ohms

Max. Output Level : + 26 dBu

Clip Indicator : + 24 dBu

Input Gain Range : -10 dB to +20 dB

Side-chain Filter : 150 or 300 Hz (switchable)

Attack Time : 0.5, 5, and 25 ms (switchable)

Release Time : 70ms to 2.5s

Compression Ratio : 2:1 to 7.5:1

Power Consumption : +/-16V < +/- 75mA (\~2W)

Contact Info:

Fredenstein Professional Audio

by Orion Communication

7F-1, No. 582, Ruei Guang Rd.

Neihu District

Taipei 114

Taiwan

Phone : [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Web : www.fredenstein.com