Ashly mXa-1502 Operating Manual page 12

mXa-1502 • Operating Manual
DSP Blocks
Audio Meter
The audio meter allows the signal to be
monitored at any location in the signal chain.
Display range is -60dBu to +20dBu.
Autoleveler
The auto leveler is a dynamics processor
used to automatically boost or cut a signal to
maintain a user-defined target level.
The target level is the primary setting in the
autoleveler, as it determines the constant level
to which an input is boost or cut.
The autoleveler can be used in situations such
as speech re-enforcement, where an unknown
source level needs to be maintained at a
specific output level. For example, a podium
microphone where different speakers will be
presenting may have an auto-leveler applied to
ensure that strong or soft speakers' voices are
presented at similar output levels.
The controls for the auto leveler are split
into two categories, basic and advanced.
It is recommended you start with the basic
controls, and if fine tuning is required, use the
advanced controls.
Warning: Depending on the settings, it is
possible to apply up to 27dB of gain with the
auto leveler.
Basic Parameters:
Ashly AquaControl™ Software
Target Level - This is the desired continuous
output level of the signal.
Action - Sets the ratio, hold time, and gain
change rates (see table for definitions). These
settings are general starting points for how the
auto leveler should behave. Action can also be
user defined under advanced controls, with
three drag points available for a more visual
adjustment.
Action Ratio Hold Time Gain Increase
Aggressive 10:1 5 Seconds 20 ms/dB
Normal 4:1 1 Second 50 ms/dB
Gentle 2:1 2 Seconds 100 ms/dB
Maximum Gain - This is the total amount of
gain the auto leveler may apply before it stops
affecting the signal. Maximum gain controls
the threshold below target using the following
formula:
Threshold Below Target = Max Gain ÷ ( ( 1 ÷ ratio) - 1)
Advanced parameters:
Threshold Below Target - Determines the
relative input signal level above which the
autoleveler increases gain, below which no
action is taken.
Ratio - This is the ratio of the input level change
in dB to output level change in dB. It determines
the degree of boost or cut applied to a signal
to maintain the target level. The higher the
ratio, the closer the signal above threshold
will approach the target level. However, a
higher level also increases how aggressive the
autoleveler maintains that gain.
Gain Change Rate - Prevents sudden, choppy-
sounding level changes to an input signal
Gain Decrease
having a wide dynamic range.
5 ms/dB
Hold Time - This is the time after the input
10 ms/dB
signal falls below the threshold during which
the autoleveler's gain is held constant before
20 ms/dB
it returns to unity gain. Hold time is used in
conjunction with gain change rate to arrive at a
natural-sounding auto leveler action.
Both the advanced and basic control views
have a visible meter bar. It shows the gain or
attenuation applied by the auto leveler in 1 dB
steps.
12