TRIPLE•C MULTI-BAND COMPRESSOR & ENVELOPE SINGLE CHANNEL/STEREO CHANNEL VERSION USER’S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signal Flow Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 TRIPLE•C Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 BASIC OPERATION The TRIPLE•C Display I/O Setup . . . . . . . . . Recall . . . . . . . . . . . . Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Store . . . . . . . . . .
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on the purchase of your new TC Electronic TRIPLE•C Compressor The TRIPLE•C is a highly flexible Compressor especially designed for single source processing but with a great variety of applications. Whether your main tasks are live production or in the recording studios we are confident the TRIPLE•C will cover your needs when it comes to compression.
FRONT PANEL POWER key On/Off switch for the unit. INPUT LEVEL knob Adjusts the Input level. Range is -6dB to +18dB. INPUT/OUTPUT meters Peak meter showing Input and Output level. The meter range is: 0, -3, -6 ,-12, -18, -24, -40dB. For the Stereo version this meter is common for both channels. INPUT OVERLOAD LED The OVERLOAD LED indicates one of two situations: The Input level is too hot and therefore overloading or there is an internal DSP overflow. The OVERLOAD LED is lit when 1 sample is @ 0dBFS.
FRONT PANEL LOOK AHEAD key When in Multi-band mode the Look Ahead delay (3ms) can be activated allowing even more precise processing. THRESHOLD knob Multi-band mode: Sets the Mid band Threshold value. The Lo/Hi bands are slaved accordingly. Full-range mode: Sets the Threshold value. Envelope mode: Sets the Threshold of the Envelope. RATIO knob Multi-band mode: Sets the Mid band Ratio value. The Lo/Hi bands are slaved accordingly. Full-range mode: Sets the compression Ratio. Envelope mode: No function.
REAR PANEL Single Version Balanced Jack Analog Inputs Balanced Jack Analog Outputs Digital S/PDIF Input/ Output MIDI In, Out, Thru Pedal Input for Bypass Power Input Serial no. Balanced Jack Analog Inputs Balanced Jack Analog Outputs Digital S/PDIF Input/ Output MIDI In, Out, Thru Pedal Input for Bypass Power Input Serial no. Stereo Version MIDI Cable DIN CONNECTOR 5POLE - MALE 45 degrees max.
SIGNAL FLOW 9
TRIPLE•C - SETUPS Setting up the TRIPLE•C The TRIPLE•C is a very flexible unit and may be used in numerous different setups. Here are illustrations and explanations of some of the most common setups. TRIPLE•C in a Single Channel Insert • Use the send/return connections on a single channel on your analog mixer. • Use the analog Input/Outputs on the TRIPLE•C. • Set the TRIPLE•C Inputs to analog. TRIPLE•C in a Digital Insert • Connect the TRIPLE•C’s digital In/Out to a digital Send/Return on your mixer.
TRIPLE•C - SETUPS Setting up the TRIPLE•C EQ Insert in the TRIPLE•C Sidechain • Connect the TRIPLE•C Direct Out to the Input of the EQ and the EQ Output to the TRIPLE•C Input. • Set Sidechain to “On”. • The source signal passing the TRIPLE•C will not be directly influenced by the connected EQ unit, however the EQ will allow you to pinpoint the key frequencies that you want the Compressor to respond to. Side Chain “On” • Use the send/return connections on a single channel on your mixer.
THE TRIPLE•C DISPLAY Overload LEDs Input Type Indicator Sync Indicator Gain Metering Envelope Processing Limiter Indicator Envelope Setting Link Mode MIDI Override Absolute Gain Input Meter Output Meter Current Clock Status Input/Output meters Peak meter showing Input and Output level. The Meter range is: 0, -3, -6 ,-12, -18, -24, -40dB. Input Overload LED The OVERLOAD LED indicates one of two situations: The Input level is too hot and therefore overloading or there is an internal DSP overflow.
I/O SETUP I/O Setup In the I/O menu you will find all system related parameters such as Input/Output settings, analog/digital, Status Bit, Dither and various MIDI settings. For successful operation of the TRIPLE•C these parameters must be correctly set ! To access the I/O menu • Press MENU. • Select I/O Menu using the VALUE SET wheel. • Press ENTER to enter I/O Menu. In the I/O Menu you select parameters using the PARAMETER wheel and you change values using the VALUE SET wheel.
I/O SETUP MIDI CC Range: On/Off. Determines whether the TRIPLE•C should respond to MIDI Continuous Controllers or not. On page 29 you will find a list of the TRIPLE•C Continuous Controllers. Program bank Determines which bank an external MIDI device will address in the TRIPLE•C when sending a program change. The options are: Factory, User or External. When External is selected controller #32 can be used to address either the Factory or the User bank.
RECALL - EDIT - STORE Presets in general The TRIPLE•C holds 50 factory presets (ROM bank) and you are able store 100 additional user presets in the RAM bank. When scrolling through the presets you will locate the user presets after the 50 factory presets. Recall To recall a preset: • Press MENU. • Dial the VALUE SET wheel until the display reads “Recall”. • Press ENTER. • Use any wheel to scroll through the 50 Factory and 100 User presets. Until you have actually recalled a preset you are previewing.
FULL-RANGE MODE Full-range mode is the mode typically found in standard Compressors. Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release settings apply for the entire frequency area. To select the Full-range Mode • ENVELOPE MODE key LED must be off/unlit. • MULTI-BAND OFF LED must be lit. Input Section Input Level Adjusts the Input level of the TRIPLE•C. Play your source material through the TRIPLE•C and observe the Input meters in the display. Correct operation level is approx -6 to -3dBs with an occasional peak at 0dB.
FULL-RANGE MODE Edit Menu To enter the Edit menu • Press MENU. • Use the VALUE SET wheel to select the Edit menu and press ENTER. DRG - Digital Radiance Generator Range: 1-10 With this parameter you can add second harmonic distortion. This is a commonly used tube-simulation that will add warmth to the signal. External Sidechain Range: Off, On, Add Determines how the TRIPLE•C should respond to the signal present on the External Sidechain. Off : This is the ”Normal” setting.
MULTI-BAND MODE Multi-band mode - is a 3 band compression mode. By dividing the source material into 3 frequency areas you can avoid that peaks at certain frequencies controls the compression of the entire signal. By setting the Lo and Hi Cross-over frequencies you determine the range of the Frequency areas. To select Multi-band mode • ENVELOPE MODE key LED must be off/unlit. • MULTI-BAND OFF LED must be unlit. Input Section Input Level Adjusts the Input level of the TRIPLE•C.
MULTI-BAND MODE Makeup Gain Cross-over Freq - illustration. Bypass Press to bypass the TRIPLE•C. All processing parameters are bypassed. Input level control and all system settings found in the I/O menu are not bypassed. Level When a signal is compressed the max Output level of the signal is reduced. Since it is a reduction in dynamic content and not a gain-reduction that is the object of applying compression a make-up gain is necessary to lift the signal to appropriate level.
ENVELOPE MODE Envelope mode is a special feature of the TRIPLE•C that lets you control the entire compression process in detail allowing full control from the point where the Compressor starts modifying the signal until it releases its grip again. To select the Envelope mode • Press the ENVELOPE MODE key in the Spectral Adjust section. Input Section Input Level Adjusts the Input level of the TRIPLE•C. Play your source material through the TRIPLE•C and observe the Input meters in the display.
ENVELOPE MODE Softlim Softlimiter on/off switch. Where a Compressor mostly is used to gradually reduce the dynamic content above the set Threshold point a limiter is used to directly avoid hitting an upper limit. Compressors and limiters are often used in conjunction. - The Compressor as the musical/gentle way of reducing the level and the Limiter as a hard abrupt control to avoid distortion. See illustration. Makeup Gain Bypass Press to bypass the TRIPLE•C. All processing parameters are bypassed.
SIDECHAIN OPERATION The TRIPLE•C can be set up to use an external source as Sidechain Input to either control or contribute to the compression of the source material. The Sidechain modes allows the TRIPLE•C to react on either: Stereo Link • The Sidechain Input only. (ON - mode) • A mix between the original Input and the Input present on the Sidechain.
USING COMPRESSION - INTRODUCTION Compression in general If you are an experienced user of audio Compressors you may want to skip this section, which is a general explanation of what Compressors do and how they are applied in audio production. Compression is generally used to reduce the dynamic content of an audio signal. Now, why is this necessary? Compared to the human ear any electronic reproduction of audio is limited by the available technology.
USING COMPRESSION Though you can say that using a Compressor in general is about reducing the dynamic content of a signal thereby having better control, there are many different angles on how to use compression. Depending on the specific application you may have different starting points and goals when you apply compression. As personal style also is a major consideration it is hard to give specific answers on how to use compression. However, here are some guidelines.
USING COMPRESSION Hard Compression of Vocal Tracks. By compressing vocal source material hard a very distinct and precise but less dynamic track will be the result. For this purpose we need the Compressor to work practically all the time. Therefore the Threshold must be set rather low, the Ratio rather high and the Attack time short. The release time setting again depends on what it is you would like to achieve. If you with this “hard compression scenario” wishes to hear e.g.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Please read, keep, and follow these instructions before connecting this unit. Heed all warnings and instructions. Retain this notice and the owner´s manual for future reference. The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Service There are no user-serviceable parts inside. All service must be performed by qualified personnel. Servicing is required when: • the unit has been damaged in any way, such as when the power-supply cord or plug is damaged. • the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, or liquid has been spilled into the unit. • objects have fallen into the unit. • the unit does not work properly. • the unit has been dropped.
APPENDIX - MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART MULTI-BAND COMPRESSOR & ENVELOPE SINGLE CHANNEL/STEREO CHANNEL VERSION Function Basic Channel Transmitted 1 1-16 Recognized 1 1-16 X X Pitch Bend X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Control Change XO XO Prog Change O O O X X X X X X X X X Not recognized O X X X X X X X X X Mode Default Changed Default Messages Altered Note Number Velocity After Touch System Excl.
APPENDIX - MIDI CONTROL CHANGES Using any standard MIDI device to transmit Continuous Controllers you are able to control various parameters in the TRIPLE•C. Please refer to the manual of the sending device on how to set up the Controller numbers. Parameter Names In Level Out Level Digital In Gain Bypass MIDI CC 16 17 18 20 Threshold Ratio Attack release L-Freq Level Hi-Freq Level Level 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Style DRG Hi X-Over Lo X-Over Ext.
APPENDIX - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Digital Inputs and Outputs Connectors: Formats: Output Dither: Sample Rates: Processing Delay: Frequency Response DIO: Analog Inputs Connectors: Impedance, Bal / Unbal: Max. Input Level: Min. Input Level for 0 dBFS: Sensitivity: A to D Conversion: A to D Delay: Dynamic Range: THD: Frequency Response: Crosstalk: Analog Outputs Connectors: Impedance Balanced/ Unbalanced: Max.
PRESET LIST The Tripple•C holds 50 factory presets. The preset names and locations are listed below. In addition you can store up to 100 of your own presets in the User bank.
