User Manual
45
5 The Fat Channel
5.1 Fat Channel Navigation
StudioLive™ Series III
Owner’s Manual
5.1.3.4 Sidechaining the Compressor
Sidechaining a compressor allows you to reduce the level of one input source to
make room for another. This is especially useful in live broadcast or application where
music and commentary are happening simultaneously. In recording applications, this
is generally accomplished with careful level automation. Compressor sidechaining
allows you to achieve a similar result without having to ride the faders.
Below are two of the most common uses:
Dialogue Ducking. This is probably the most well-known compressor sidechaining
application. Consider a common House of Worship situation where the pastor is
leading a meditation while the piano or pre-recorded music is being played. Apply
a compressor on the stereo music track with a fairly low threshold, high ratio, a fast
attack and a long release time, using the pastor’s microphone channel as the key
source for the compressor. Now the compressor will react to level fluctuations from
the pastor’s microphone, allowing the music to naturally rise and fall in counterpoint
to the speech pattern.
Bringing Out the Kick Drum. In some instances, a synth bass line, or a busy bass
guitar part interferes with the kick drum presence and punch in the mix. For this
application, you will apply a compressor to the bass channel, using the kick drum
channel as the key source, allowing your kick drum to punch through the bass line.
5.1.4 EQ Mode
Pressing the EQ button in the Fat Channel gives you access to equalization settings
for the currently selected channel or mix. An EQ (or equalizer) is a tone control that
lets you make changes in the tonal balance of a signal. You can boost or cut the level
of ranges of frequencies, to make corrective or creative changes to the signal.
The Fat Channel gives you the following distinct EQ models to choose from, each
with its own set of controls and its own behavior.
• Standard EQ. A clean and full-featured EQ that offers transparent tone shaping.
• Passive Program EQ (Input Channels only). A model of a tube-based EQ with
simple, quick and a classic tonal character.
• Vintage 1970s EQ (Input Channels only). A model of a classic solid-state EQ,
with simple, musical frequency settings and a lot of character.
The eight Scribble Strips in the Fat Channel show pertinent data about the current
settings of these controls. The controls differ, based on the model of EQ you select.
Power User Tip: Use the Tap button to “null” button any parameter by pressing and
holding the Tap button while adjusting the control of your choice to return that control to
its default setting.
The EQ models can be selected from the Touchscreen when Compressor mode is
active in the Fat Channel:
1
2
3
4
6
7
5
1. Signal Source. Displays whether this channel is receiving signal from an analog
or digital source.
2. Name and Number. Displays currently selected channel or bus name and
number.
3. Channel Settings Button. Touch to access additional channel settings.
4. Current Parameter. Displays currently control parameter and its value.
5. Presets. Opens Presets menu on the Touchscreen.