User manual

Page -30-© Audient Ltd
Console functions.
COMPRESSOR
A compressor can be switched into
the main stereo signal path when
required. Note that it is located af-
ter the mix insert point but before
the main fader.
The compressor characteristics are
optimised for use in mix processing
while many of the parameters remain
under the control of the engineer.
Threshold, Gain Make Up, Attack,
Release and Ratio are all adjustable
while the entire processor can be
switched out of circuit when not
required.
A bargraph meter indicates the
amount of compression applied to
the signal. When compression is
taking place this should show some
very healthy activity. Please do not
try to over compress the mix output
as the results will sound terrible.
Always use your ears to check the
effect that you are trying for!
A good use of the compressor may
be to limit peak signals by setting a
highish threshold with a high ratio.
Thus when the threshold is reached
the signal is barely allowed to
increase beyond it.
Some typical Compressor settings
are shown on the next page.
1 A 1 2 segme nt ba rgraph
M E T E R i n d i c a t i n g t h e
amount of gain reduction
taking place.
2 THRESHOLD control for
determining the level where
compression starts. Threshold
can be set between -20dBu
and +20dBu.
3 ATTACK controls the speed
with which the compressor
reacts. Attack is adjustable in
6 steps from 0.1 to 30ms.
4 RATIO determines the amount
of compression used once the
signal is above the threshold
level. For example a ratio of
2:1 means that the output will
rise 1dB for every 2dB rise in
input level.
Ratios of 4:1 and 10:1 are also
available.
5 MAKEUP is a gain control.
When a signal is compressed
the level is reduced. A gain
make up stage restores the
peak level although of course
the dynamic range of the
signal has now been reduced.
40dB of gain is available.
6 RELEASE controls the speed
at which the compressor
allows the gain to return to
normal when the signal drops
below the threshold level.
Release is available from
0.1s to 2.4s in 5 steps with an
additional AUTO setting.
7 The I N switch p uts the
compressor into circuit.
MASTERS