User`s guide

68 Chapter 8: Dynamics Processors
ProMix 01 User’s Guide
ProMix 01 Dynamics Processors
ProMix 01 features three stereo dynamics processors, for compres-
sion, limiting, gating, and ducking. They can be patched into input
channels, SEND3, SEND4, and the stereo outputs. Processor settings
are organized as programs, and there are 10 preset programs (1–10)
and 10 user programs (11–20) for you to store your own settings.
Preset Dynamics Programs
These are the preset dynamics programs.
See “Preset Dynamics Processor Parameters” on page 78 for a detailed
listing of the preset dynamics program parameters.
Processor Types
Dynamics processors are generally used to correct or control signal
levels. However, they can also be used creatively to shape a sound’s
volume envelope. The four types of dynamics processor and their
general applications are explained below.
Compressor
Vocalists that tend to move toward and away from the microphone
while singing produce fluctuating signal levels; sometimes loud,
sometimes soft. Likewise, acoustic instruments with a large dynamic
range produce sound levels from pianissimo (very soft) through to
fortissimo (very loud). In these situations, it is often difficult to set an
average fader level that will allow a voice or instrument to be heard
clearly throughout a song or piece of music.
This is where the compressor comes in with automatic level control.
By automatically reducing high levels, thus effectively reducing the
dynamic range, the compressor makes it much easier to control sig-
nals and set appropriate fader levels. Reducing the dynamic range also
means that recording levels can be set higher, therefore improving
S/N performance. To provide a more consistent signal level and to
squeeze more out of the dynamic range offered by AM and FM broad-
casting, radio and TV stations often compress their audio output.
Typical radio compressor settings are provided by preset program #2
(RADIO COMP).
1 Total Comp 6 Comp Heavy2
2 Radio Comp 7 Gate Fast
3 Comp Fast 8 Gate Slow
4 Comp Slow 9 Ducking
5 Comp Heavy1 10 BGM Ducking