PRESONUS BLUEMAX Manual
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PRESONUS BLUEMAX Manual

Smart compressor
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Summary of Contents for PRESONUS BLUEMAX

  • Page 2 Version 2.0 1997, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Updated by J-Luck 2004...
  • Page 3 During the warranty period PreSonus shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace, free of charge, any product that proves to be defective on inspection by PreSonus or its authorized service representative. To obtain warranty service, the purchaser must first call or write PreSonus at the address and telephone number printed below to obtain a Return Authorization Number and instructions of where to return the unit for service.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Overview A Word about Compression Introduction Features 2. Controls & Connections Front Panel Basic Layout Back Panel Basic Layout Presets 3. Basic Setup & Operation Quick Start Basic Connections Basic Operating Procedures 4. Technical Specifications 1. OVERVIEW A Word about Compression..

  • Page 5: Introduction

    1.1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the PreSonus Blue Max smart compressor/limiter with presets. Your Blue Max was designed with you, the end user in mind. As far as we know, it is the only compressor in the world with built-in compression presets.

  • Page 6: Features

    1.2 FEATURES The following is a summary of the features of the Blue Max: percussion, fretted PRESETS. There are 15 studio proven settings for voice, instruments, keyboards, stereo processing and effects. VARIABLE INPUT CONTROL. In addition to normal stereo inputs the input control allows low signal levels such as direct output of electric guitars and basses to be increased to optimum levels.
  • Page 7 1. Presets: Fifteen detented preset positions and Manual select. The Presets for the Blue Max are controlled by this sixteen position rotary encoder. As the encoder is rotated, parameters are digitally switched, simultaneously controlling attack, release, ratio and threshold. 2. Controls: & Meters The Input control adjusts the gain on the input amplifiers for both channels.
  • Page 8 of 2:1. This simply means that for every 1dB of level increase into the compressor, the output will only increase 1/2dB, thus producing a compression gain reduction of 0.5dB. As you increase the ratio, the compressor gradually becomes a limiter. A limiter is defined as a processor that limits the level of a signal to the compression threshold.

  • Page 9: Back Panel Basic Layout

    3. Output & Pushbuttons The Output control is used to set the desired output of the Blue Max. It is sometimes referred to as ‘gain makeup’ control. This term is derived from the fact that as the compressor lowers the output level during gain reduction, the overall signal level is lowered, requiring the user to ‘makeup’...

  • Page 10: Presets

    Sidechain The sidechain jack on each channel interrupts the signal that the compressor is using to determine the amount of gain reduction to apply. When no connector is inserted into this jack, the input signal goes directly to the compressors control circuitry. When a connector is inserted into this jack, the signal path is broken.
  • Page 11 3 SCREAMER - For loud vocals. Fairly hard compression for a vocalist who is ‘on’ and ‘off the microphone a lot. It puts the voice ‘in your face’. Threshold Ratio Attack Release -1.1dB 3.8:1 0.002mS 38mS Percussion 1 SNARE/KICK - Allows the first transient through and compresses the rest of the signal giving a hard snap up front with a longer release.
  • Page 12 2 SYNTH - Fast attack and release for synthesizer horn stabs and for bass lines played on a synthesizer. Threshold Ratio Attack Release -11.9dB 1.8:1 0.002mS 85mS 3 ORCHESTRAL - Use this setting for string ‘pads’ and other types of synthesized orchestra parts.

  • Page 13: Basic Setup & Operation

    3. BASIC SETUP & OPERATION QUICK START 1. Connect your Blue Max using one of the diagrams below. 2. Select either +4 or -10 operating level. (Reminder: +4 is for ‘pro’ levels such as consoles, -10 is for ‘consumer’ levels or instruments) 3.
  • Page 14 Connecting your instrument, mixer or tape machine. Connecting for de-essing or spectral processing.

  • Page 15: Basic Operating Procedures

    Connecting for stereo operation. 3.3 BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES Setting Compression Amount Your Blue Max was designed with a fixed threshold mode of operation. This differs from other compressors in the fact that there is no threshold control. This offers the unique ability to immediately hear the sometimes subtle differences between presets which each have unique threshold settings.

  • Page 16: Technical

    Stereo Operation Your Blue Max is operating in a linked stereo mode at all times. In this mode, both signals are used to create the gain reduction amount. This insures proper stereo imaging in stereo compression applications. The stereo presets were optimized for two basic settings; however all of the presets will work in stereo mode.

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