The "sound" switch changes the amplifier type in the Flamingo. This alternative amplifier creates a different sound. In the "Fat" mode Flamingo has a much higher level of second and third harmonic distortion than in the non fat setting. The amount of color heard will depend on the type of signal and the operating level. With some material the change will be heard with the flip of the switch; and with other material, more listening may be required. Hearing a color change may take time and some ear training. With the second harmonic being an octave it can have small or great effect depending on the purity of the sound. For example, it will be easier to hear second harmonic distortion on a flute than on a guitar chord. The main use of the sound switch is to fatten, thicken and warm up sound. If the idea of distortion seems a bit scary, remember that the reason two different amplifiers with the same frequency response sound different is because of their distortion characteristics. With careful circuit design we have created distortion that sounds pleasing. The types of distortion that the "fat" setting generates are similar to the distortion that tubes generate.

The sound switch is very useful on vocals, bass, drums, and any other instrument that could benefit from a richer sound. Vocal arrangements may require a thicker sound on some parts but not on others. As an example; using the fat sound for the lead line and the harmonies, but not on the high vocal line can help separate the parts in a vocal mix comprised of a lead vocal, vocal harmonies, and a high answer/echo line.

A trick that can be tried in order to get more color is to turn up the gain switch by 6 db, and attenuate the output by 6 db. The higher signal level in the fat amplifier will result in more harmonic content being generated. This same idea holds true with the iron amplifier.

Note that the sound switch changes both channels. An audible pop may be heard when the switch is flipped. This occurs because a different amplifier is being switched into the audio path. Be aware that flipping this switch during a recording take is not advised. At any other time the audible pop is merely a momentary nuisance. Changing the circuit to eliminate the pop would compromise the audio path.

THE IRON SWITCH

"Iron" has a different distortion characteristic than an amplifier. Iron will distort low frequencies and not higher frequencies. The amount of iron in the component will determine how much signal level at a specific frequency that the component can handle before it's distortion levels start rising. This means that a signal level which will produce 5% distortion at 40Hz, may only produce a distortion level of .5% at 120 Hz. In recording a bass, for example, the distortion would be increasing the harmonic content of its low notes, but would not have much effect on its high notes. Thus the low notes would be easier to hear because of their increased harmonic content. The iron setting can be used on anything with low frequency content. Above 400 Hz the setting has little effect.

Note that the "iron" switch changes both channels. An audible pop may be heard when the switch is flipped because a different amplifier is being switched into the audio path. Be aware that flipping this switch during a recording take is not advised. Changing the circuit to eliminate the pop would compromise the audio path.

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MANUALS & PDFs

Crane Song FLAMINGO Manual (updated 09/06) Adobe pdf