User Guide

The 5045 Primary Source Enhancer is a dual-channel unit designed to reduce feedback, effectively providing live audio engineers with greater gain before feedback. Its controls are simple and intuitive, requiring minimal adjustment once properly configured.

The 5045 shares some similarities with traditional noise gates but operates on a fundamentally different principle. While both reduce gain when the signal disappears - specifically when the signal falls below a user-set threshold - the 5045 detects when someone is speaking or singing into the microphone and allows that signal to pass through. When no microphone signal is present, it appropriately reduces gain, minimizing the system's potential for feedback. Most importantly, the 5045 achieves this without filtering the signal or employing digital processing.

Using the 5045 is straightforward. It accepts line-level signals, such as outputs from microphone preamps or console insert sends. The 5045's output is also at line level, typically feeding console line inputs or insert returns. Thanks to its input and output coupling transformers, the 5045 easily accommodates both balanced and unbalanced connections.

User Guide

Once the 5045 is properly connected and powered, operation is simple. A safe initial setup is: Process Engage button disengaged, Time Constant set to C or D, RMS/Peak button disengaged (RMS mode), Threshold set to minimum (-18), and Depth set to 0.

Have the vocalist speak or sing into the microphone, then press the Process Engage button. If the 5045 is connected correctly, there should be no level change at this point. With the vocalist continuing to speak or sing, adjust the Threshold setting until the Process Active LED remains lit during speech/singing and turns off during pauses (e.g., between phrases). Gradually turn the Depth knob to -10dB as a starting point.

If the sound system is already on the verge of feedback, these steps will help address the issue. If the system is set conservatively, well below the feedback threshold, try increasing the channel level of the Primary Source Enhancer and adjust the Depth control to achieve more gain before feedback. While the 5045 cannot completely eliminate feedback, it effectively reduces the likelihood of feedback when increasing levels during live performances.

5045 Primary Source Enhancer Specifications