User Manual

Here are the basic steps for using the MaxxBCL in a 16-bit/44.1kHz applica

tion: (These steps would also apply to 24-bit mastering)

Please note that if you want to use MaxxBCL as your ﬁnal peak limiter and

re-quantizer, all processing, EQ, sample rate conversion, dynamic chang

es, etc. MUST be done before the ﬁnal peak limiter re-quantizer processing.

Thus, the MaxxBCL should be the last process before your Master Recorder,

or before bouncing to a Production Master ﬁle.

Set the Compressor threshold and ratio to obtain low level compression. This

in order to get more accurate compression on a speciﬁc frequency band

width, rather than compressing the whole range of frequencies. Set the L2

Threshold for desired peak limiting. In general, set Threshold for about 4-6

dB of Gain Reduction, although the MaxxBCL is capable of much heavier

limiting than this for a demanding music genre, or client. Of course, you’ll

eventually “squish the punch” right out of the mix, if you wish.

Now set the Output Ceiling to the maximum peak output you desire. You

can take this Output all the way to 0.0 dB without any clipping, with no

“overs” whatsoever. For CD’s, a recommended setting is -0.3dB. This helps

to avoid clips in the analog side of a cheap or poorly-designed D/A con-

verter. However, this is only a recommendation. Setting the Ceiling to just

below 0.0 helps avoid inaccurate “over” indicators on equipment that

doesn’t explicitly deﬁne what an “over” really is.

Set Quantize output to the desired wordlength (16-bit for CD masters or

DATs, 24-bit for archives, intermediate storage, or a DVD-Audio format that

supports long wordlengths.)

Sound Reinforcement Applications

For Live Sound, there are two conventional ways of using the MaxxBCL,

depending on the size and type of PA system that is being used. With the

MaxxBCL, big systems sound even bigger and small systems sound more

powerful with better presence, especially at the lower frequencies. For most

applications, you will want to use the MaxxBCL gently.

Due to the loud signal of a large system, every small change is immedi

ately noticeable to the engineer. When using the the MaxxBCL on a large

system, the engineer will perceive the sound as wider and bigger. On these

large systems the MaxxBass™ is used to get more air out of the subwoofers

and the L2 is used to smooth out the overall level. The RenComp (Renais-

sance Compressor) is used to round out the sound of a large system and

make the attacks less aggressive.

These large systems are capable of putting out signals as low as 30 Hz, so

while the MaxxBass™ gives more deﬁnition to the low frequencies, it is used

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