Ashly CLX-52 Specifications download pdf (Page 4)

Operating Manual - CLX-52 and CLX-51 Compressor/Limiter

be noted that an infinite ratio setting is likely to cause

noticeable side effects in the sound, and may not be us-

able on programs where subtle control is desired.

5.4 ATTACK TIME

The response of the compressor/limiter to signal

levels above threshold is further defined by the Attack

Time control. Attack time is the amount of time that

the unit takes to attenuate the output level after thresh-

old has been reached. For very fast transients, such as

hand claps, snare drums, or other percussive sounds, a

fast attack time is usually desirable so that the limiter

can respond in time to control the peak level. On other

types of program material, a slower attack time may be

preferred. A too-fast attack may, on some material, “square

off” the top of a waveform, producing a distorted sound.

This unit provides continuously variable attack times from

200 microseconds to 20 milliseconds.

5.5 RELEASE TIME

Another parameter which affects compressor/lim-

iter performance is Release time, or the time required to

restore system gain to normal after the input signal

has fallen below threshold level. Again, proper release

time will depend on the type of program material being

processed and the way in which the limiter is being used.

When subtle limiting is desired, slow release

times are often chosen to avoid condition referred to as

“pumping” or “breathing”. This occurs when overall gain

is modulated up and down by repeated peaks which are

followed by quieter intervals. If the release time is set

too fast, then the overall level will jump up and down,

producing an objectionable and unsettling effect. Note

that, in some cases, an individual track or channel which

seems to be pumping may sound acceptable when heard

in context of a complete mix.

.2 20 .1

1.5

∞∞

2.5

mS SecdBdB dB

+22-40+15-15

∞ ∞

+20

+15

+10

-3

-6

-10

-20

+20

+10

-3

-6

-10

-20

-3

-6

-10

Gain Threshold Ratio Attack Release Output Level In

2Th. 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 -15-18 -12 -9 -6 -3 0 +3 +6 +9 +20

Output

Input

Gain Reduction (dB) Input/Output Level (dB) Clip

Channel 1

Stereo Tie

5. CONTROLS

5.1 GAIN

The Gain control is used to adjust incoming sig-

nal level to the VCA circuit. It is always active, so switch-

ing out the limiter function has no effect on this control.

Used in conjunction with the Input/Output Level Meter

Display, this control is useful for setting up optimal sys-

tem levels. This control should normally be left at "0" to

achieve accurate Threshold calibration.

5.2 THRESHOLD

The Threshold control has a range of -40dB to

+22 dB, allowing applications from low level compres-

sion to high level limiting. The Threshold control de-

termines the audio level above which Gain Reduction

occurs. When the Threshold LED comes on, that means

that Gain Reduction is beginning to occur, due to input

signal peaks exceeding the selected threshold in dB.

5.3 RATIO

This control determines the ratio of change in

output level to changes in input level for all signals above

threshold. The numbers printed around the Ratio con-

trol are calibrated in db and indicate the increase in

input (above threshold) required to produce a 1db in-

crease in output. This can be expressed conveniently as

a ratio. If the output remains constant no matter how high

the input level, we have an infinite (∞) input/output ra-

tio. It should be remembered that the Ratio control has

no effect on signals which are below threshold.

There is a common but incorrect notion that lim-

iting always implies the use of an infinite ratio. Although

there are times when an infinite ratio is desirable, there

will be situations where infinite, or “hard”, limiting ac-

tion is neither appropriate nor necessary. In fact, it should

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 15 16

Comments to this Manuals

No comments

Ashly CLX-52 Specifications Page 4

Comments to this Manuals

Related products and manuals for Processors Ashly CLX-52