Setting The Routing Levels; The Lr In; Reaching The Outputs - Lr Out; Limit Handling - Alesis 2 Reference Manual

Setting the Routing Levels

Each time you add a "patch cord" to a Program, the QuadraVerb 2's display
automatically prompts you to set its level. This is done by adjusting the attenuation
level between -48dB and +0dB, or OFF. When set at +0dB, the signal is allowed to
pass through at full volume, with no attenuation. When set to OFF, the signal is fully
attenuated and will not be heard at the "patch cord's" destination.
The default level for a newly added "patch cord" is -6dB. This provides you with ample
headroom for most applications. The ideal level, however, should be as high as
possible without causing distortion. There are basically three places in the
QuadraVerb 2 that can distort: at the input A/D converter, within the blocks, and at
the output. The routing levels within a well-designed program are set so that none of
these three will distort before the other ones do. If the input is clipping, it doesn't
matter if you've attenuated levels feeding from the input to a block--it will still distort.
Input clipping is controlled by the front panel INPUT LEVEL controls. Block clipping
can be caused by routing levels to the block that are too high, or by processing within
the block itself (for example, a boost in EQ, resonance in a chorus, or feedback in a
delay). Output clipping can be controlled using the Master Effects Level parameter in
the [MIX] function. The OUTPUT LEVEL control is analog, and cannot lower the
distortion caused when the output of multiple blocks are too loud for the output D/A
converter to handle.
Keep in mind when setting routing levels that each time you double the number of
sources, the output rises 6 dB. If there are four blocks feeding another block, those
routes may all need to be set to -12 dB to avoid clipping. On the other hand, if a
program consists of a single delay or reverb block, input and output routings may be
set to 0 dB without distortion.
It is also important to note that each "patch cord" in a Program uses 1% of the total
DSP power available. However, if the signal is attenuated (by setting the level below
+0dB), 2% of DSP is used. The following section discusses how the QuadraVerb
reacts when DSP is nearly fully taxed. One way to free up more DSP power when you
need it is to set some or all of your "patch cord" levels to +0dB.

The LR IN

These appear on the far left side of the Block section in the display. They are not
selectable with the [< BLOCK >] buttons. This is because we are always routing from
the LR IN and, in keeping with our convention, all routing is done from the destination
Block, not from the source.

Reaching the Outputs - LR OUT

The L OUT and R OUT are separately selectable (like Blocks) for routing purposes.
Whichever Block is determined to be the final effect in the chain (whether your
Program has one or multiple Blocks), it needs to be routed to the LR OUT in order for
you to hear it . This can be done in mono (if just one channel is needed) by routing
one or more Block outputs to either the L OUT or R OUT, or in stereo by routing to
both the L and R OUT.

Limit Handling

Within the limits of the available sample memory and DSP, the Blocks can be linked in
any order, in almost any combination of the four basic types. For instance, you might
have two EQ Blocks followed by four pitch Effect Blocks; or one Block of each (EQ,
QuadraVerb 2 Reference Manual
Overview - Chapter 3
29