User guide

Dugan Model E-3 User Guide
27
Chapter 4: Operation
How it Works
The Dugan Model E-3 Automatic Mixing Controller uses the Dugan Speech Sys-
tem™, a patented and trademarked automatic mixing function. The Dugan Speech
System distributes the gain of one open microphone over the entire system, maintain-
ing a natural one-mic ambience. It is essential to distinguish this behavior from the an-
noying fluctuation of levels and uneven ambience in a conventional gating system.
The system automatically manages any number of live mics in an unpredictable di-
alogue situation. When one person speaks, the system rapidly fades that mic’s gain
up and the others down. When the speaker pauses, all mics fade down so they sum
to equal one mic at full gain. The result sounds like handing one mic around among
the speakers. When several people talk at once, the gain is shared. This makes all mics
sound normal when used but prevents buildup of noise or feedback.
Figure 4-1 Four snapshots of a three-mic system
Figure 4-1 shows the Speech System in action with a three-mic system.
• The first frame shows no one speaking; the sound levels at all mics are low. The
system fades all channels to a medium gain that sums to the equivalent of one mic
at full gain.
• The second frame shows one person speaking. The system automatically fades his/
her gain to full, while the other two inputs are turned down.
• The third frame shows a different person speaking. The system automatically
fades his/her gain to full, while the other two inputs are turned down.
• The fourth frame shows two people speaking simultaneously. The system auto-
matically shares the gain between them, while the other input is turned down.
Sound
No one speaking Mic 2 speaking Mic 3 speaking Mics 2 and 3 speaking
at mics (dB)
40
50
60
70
Resulting
automix
gains (dB)
-30
-20
-10
0