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dbx Quantum User Manual

Digital mastering processor
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QUANTUM
DIGITAL
MASTERING
PROCESSOR
User Manual

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  • Page 1 ® QUANTUM DIGITAL MASTERING PROCESSOR User Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    5.3 Digital Input Controls ........47 1.3 Quantum Wizard ..........4 5.4 MIDI CC Map..........47 1.4 Signal Path ............4 5.5 MIDI Channels..........48 1.5 Mastering and the Quantum......5 5.6 MIDI Program Changes........48 5.7 SYSEX Dump ..........48 Section 2 - Navigation 5.8 Setup SYSEX Data ..........48 5.9 A/D Calibrate..........49...
  • Page 3 Fig 4.2 Parametric EQ Types .......37 Fig. 4.3 Sidechain Signal Flow......39 Fig C.1 Sync Termination Jumper .......69 Fig. C.2 Studio Sync Connections......70 Fig H.1 TPDF Dither ..........81 Fig H.2 Noise Shaping .........82 Fig H.3 Truncation..........83 ® QUANTUM User Manual Table of Contents...
  • Page 5 QUANTUM INTRODUCTION INTRO CUSTOMER SERVICE INFO What is QUANTUM? WARRANTY INFO ®...

  • Page 6: What Is Quantum

    1.1 What is QUANTUM? The dbx QUANTUM is the first mastering processor that offers a sampling rate of up to 96kHz, a true 48-bit digital signal path with up to 24-bit digital output. Below are some of QUANTUM’s features: •...

  • Page 7: Service Contact Info

    Application Guide in section 5. Whether you are going from the workstation to a DAW, DAT, or a stand-alone CD-R, the QUANTUM covers all the digital sample rates 96, 88.2, 48, or 44.1kHz. The QUANTUM will dither down to 24, 20, 16, or 8 bits. See the Appendix for all the possible conversions.
  • Page 8 In no event shall dbx or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages or from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to caus- es beyond their control.
  • Page 9 Section 1 QUANTUM Getting Started ®...

  • Page 10: Section 1 - Getting Started

    These connectors provide full MIDI functionality to the QUANTUM. The Out/Thru jack allows you to use the QUANTUM at any point in the MIDI chain. For a complete guide to all the MIDI and SYSEX functionality of the QUANTUM, see Section 3: Software Operations.

  • Page 11: Getting Started

    After you have chosen a program, you may want to change some of the parameters to meet your specific needs. One of the most useful tools available on the QUANTUM for setting up a proper compression curve is the curve window. In the curve window you can see the com- bined effects of dynamics-related parameters expressed in a graphical format.

  • Page 12: Quantum Wizard

    1.3 QUANTUM Wizard The easiest way to program the QUANTUM is using the Wizard. To access the Wizard, press and hold the PROGRAM button. Once in the Wizard mode, you will select the task that you are performing. The QUANTUM will automatically choose the correct chain type for your task.

  • Page 13: Mastering And The Quantum

    "hotter" mix. The easiest way of setting up the multiband compressor in QUANTUM, is to use the monitor in conjunction with the crossover and the compressor.
  • Page 14 As you have seen, setting up the multiband compressor is an iterative process that takes time to perfect. By using the multiband compressor along with the other tools available in QUANTUM you will be able to create much larger sounding mixes and masters. ®...
  • Page 15 Section 2 QUANTUM NAVIGATION ®...

  • Page 16: Section 2 - Navigation

    Navigation NAVIGATION Control of each of the bands within the QUANTUM’s multiband dynamic modules is made possible in two different ways. You may either use the “All page” or individual band adjust- ments. The “All page” is signified by a large “All” seen where the program number would nor- mally be.

  • Page 17: Broadband Compressor

    Navigating the "Broadband Compressor" Navigate through the Pages by depressing "Next Page" or "Prev Page" successively until arriving at the desired Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Compr Threshold Attack On/Loc/Off OverEasy® Ratio Hold Auto Gain Release Loc/On/Off ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 18: Multiband Gate

    Ratio Release Band Band 2 On/Off Attack Max Att Threshold Hold Ratio Release Band Band 3 On/Off Attack Max Att Threshold Hold Ratio Release Band Band 4 On/Off Attack Max Att Threshold Hold Ratio Release ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 19: Broadband Gate

    Navigating the "Broadband Gate" Navigate through the Pages by depressing "Next Page" or "Prev Page" successively until arriving at the desired Page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Gate On/Loc/Off Attack Max Att Bands Threshold Hold Ratio Release ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 20: Multiband Limiter

    Release desired band Band 2 Attack OverEasy® On/Off Band Threshold Hold Auto On/Off Release Band 3 Attack OverEasy® On/Off Band Threshold Hold Auto On/Off Release Band 4 Attack OverEasy® On/Off Band Threshold Hold Auto On/Off Release ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 21: Broadband Limiter

    Section 2 Navigation 2.6 Broadband Limiter Navigating the"Broadband Limiter" Navigate through the Pages by depressing "Next Page" or "Prev Page" successively until arriving at the desired Page Limiter Attack OverEasy® On/Loc/Off Threshold Hold Auto On/Off Type Release ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 22: Eq/Xover

    Slope Slope between Type Level Level Level Level Level EQ and XOver. Depress once to Edge 1 FC Edge 2 FC Edge 3 FC XOver access EQ and a Slope Slope Slope second time for XOver ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 23: Eq/Seq

    Depress once to SChain On/Off Band 1 FC Band 2 FC Band 3 FC Band 4 FC Band 5 FC access EQ and a Slope Slope Type second Level Level Level Level Level time for SEQ ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 24: Norm/Output

    Page Page 1 Page 2 Normalize On/Off Normalize Navigate through Level the bands by Type depressing the "Norm/Output" Dither Out Bits button Output Dither successively until Shaping arriving at the desired band ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 25: Other

    Navigate through Level the bands by depressing the Stereo Adj On/Off "Other" button Balance successively until arriving at the desired band De-Esser On/Off Type Freq Width Amount TCM On/Off TCM Time Ambience On/Off Thresh1 Amount Width ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 26: Utility

    DigIn Ch 1 Chain Type Dump Setup Bulk Dump MIDI CH Contrast Clock BNC Freq DigIn Ch 2 MIDI CC # Sysex Ch MIDI Prg Type AutoLoad Merge On/Off HighPass on/off MIDI CC Effect as Prg ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 27: Section 3 - Software Operations

    Section 3 QUANTUM SOFTWARE SOFTWARE OPERATIONS ®...

  • Page 28: Fx Chains

    QUANTUM’s storage system. 3.1 FX Chains The following charts show the signal flow through the QUANTUM’s FX chains. Note that the location of the parametric EQ (PEQ) changes according to Pre/Post settings.
  • Page 29 QUANTUM Section 3 Software Operations 3.1 FX Chains (cont.) Chain Type: Stereo Broadband PEQ may be Pre or Post Dynamics What the QUANTUM screen shows for Pre: Side-Chain Dither Gate Stereo Ambience Norm Noise Comp De-Esser Adjust Shape Dynamics What the QUANTUM screen shows for Post:...
  • Page 30 QUANTUM Section 3 Software Operations 3.1 FX Chains (cont.) Chain Type: Mono PEQ may be Pre or Post Dynamics What the QUANTUM screen shows for Pre: Mono Input Side-Chain CH1 or CH2 Dither Gate Noise Comp De-Esser Shape Limiter Dynamics...

  • Page 31: Programs/Setups

    Software Operations 3.2 Programs/Setups The QUANTUM has a unique method of storing your settings. It stores your changes to para- meters as setups. These setups are an immediately accessible library of your changes. No mat- ter what program you are currently working with, you can call up any setup that uses that same configuration: stereo-linked or dual mono.

  • Page 32: Saving A Setup

    “Link Setup”. Make your selection by pressing the STORE button again. Remember that there is room in the QUANTUM to store 50 linked setups and 50 mono setups, in addition to the fac- tory setups.

  • Page 33: Saving A Program

    (the “Parameter 2” line). 2. Use the DATA WHEEL to scroll to the place where you want to add the new setup. The QUANTUM “makes room” for your setup, no matter where you want to place it. 3.4 Saving a Program...

  • Page 34: The Bypass Function

    Software Operations 3.5 The Bypass Function BYPASS To bypass the QUANTUM press the BYPASS button once. All digital dynamic modules are ren- dered inactive. The QUANTUM also has a CLONE BYPASS mode, passes the digital audio through the QUAN- TUM to the digital output directly as it came in—a digital clone. To use the CLONE BYPASS mode, simply press and hold the BYPASS button for 2 seconds.
  • Page 35 OverEasy® mode of compression. (For a complete explanation of the OverEasy® parameter, see Section 4.) The third segment of the compressor meter is the plus (+) sign. It is blackened when the signal is being fully compressed at the ratio set by the Ratio Parameter. ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 36: Monitor Outputs

    De-Essing is being applied to the signal. 3.7 Monitor Outputs Monitoring separate bands is a useful and easily accomplished function in the QUANTUM. By pressing the METER/MONITOR button twice you are able to access the monitor selection page.

  • Page 37: Section 4 - Detailed Parameters

    Section 4 QUANTUM PARAMETERS DETAILED PARAMETERS ®...

  • Page 38: Multiband Compression

    The point when the QUANTUM (or any compressor) starts to compress is the "knee." When the QUANTUM starts to reduce the level of a signal abruptly right as it passes over the threshold this is called "hard knee" compression. OverEasy® (soft knee as it is sometimes called) is when the level of the signal is compressed gradually.
  • Page 39 Threshold -60 to 0 dB (per band or global) Threshold is the signal level at which the QUANTUM starts to compress. If the threshold is set to -10 dBFS, then any signal larger than -10 dBFS is compressed, while any signal that has a level lower than -10dBFS is left at the same level.

  • Page 40: Broadband Compression

    The point when the QUANTUM (or any compressor) starts to compress is the "knee." When the QUANTUM starts to reduce the level of a signal abruptly right as it passes over the threshold this is called "hard knee" compression. OverEasy® (soft knee as it is sometimes called) is when the volume of the sound is compressed gradually.

  • Page 41: Multiband Gate

    Release 360 dB / Sec to 5 dB / Sec Release is how fast the QUANTUM comes out of compression. The release is in dB per second. For example, if release is set to 5 dB /sec, signal at 10dB of gain reduction, release time is 2 seconds.

  • Page 42: Broadband Gate

    This sets the maximum amount of attenuation for the gate. 4.4 Broadband Gate The QUANTUM's broadband gate is available in the non-multiband chain types. It works just like the multiband gate with the exception of the fact that it functions on the entire signal band.

  • Page 43: Multiband Limiting

    There are ten levels of OverEasy® that can be used on the QUANTUM's limiters Auto On/Off/LOC and On/Off When auto is turned on the QUANTUM will continuously set the attack / hold / release con- trols itself. It can be set globally or locally per band.

  • Page 44: Broadband Limiting

    Attack .01 to 200 m Sec (per band or global) This is the speed at which the QUANTUM limiter starts to compress the signal once it has crossed the threshold. Set the attack time longer for lower frequency bands, and shorter for higher frequency bands.
  • Page 45 4.7 EQ There are 5 bands of EQ on the QUANTUM that can be used for something as subtle as sweet- ening a mix to drastic changes. Bands 1 and 5 are shelves while 2 through 4 are fully para- metric.

  • Page 46: Xover

    Amount of boost or cut. Adjustable in 1/2 dB steps. 4.8 XOver There are three crossover points on the QUANTUM, creating 4 bands. Tuning them allows you to select which frequencies to process with which of the multiband dynamics processors. The QUANTUM uses phase compensated, Butterworth 1st and 3rd order filters.

  • Page 47: Seq

    Output Processing Fig. 4.3 Within the SEQ menu on the QUANTUM the following parameters are user adjustable: Press the EQ/XOVER button twice when in non-multiband mode to access the SEQ. Schain EQ On/Off This control turns all 5 bands on/off.

  • Page 48: Type Iv

    Amount of boost or cut. Adjustable in 1/2 dB steps. 4.10 Type IV™ The QUANTUM uses dbx Type IV™ 96 kHz converters. Type IV™ gives you more A to D head- room and the ability to add Tape Saturation Emulation. (For more information on Type IV™...

  • Page 49: Ambience

    Sets the threshold of the ambience processor. 4.13 TCM™ Transient Capture Mode or TCM™ was first seen in the dbx 172 Super Gate. Basically what it does is delay the input of the VCA enough that the detector is able to read ahead in the signal.

  • Page 50: Normalization

    Normalize On/Off Turns the Normalizer on or off. Level –12 dB to +12 dB The final output stage of the QUANTUM. This lets you adjust the final volume you send out of the unit. Ceiling -3.0 to 0.0 dBFS This parameter allows you set the overall output ceiling level of normalization.

  • Page 51: Output

    Sets the routing of the Dither output. When All is selected, the Dither is routed to the digital outputs and the D/A. When the Dither Out is set to Digital, the dithered signal is sent to the digital outputs and the full 24-bit output is sent to the D/A. ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 53: Factory Programs

    48) Country Voc / Twang E Gtr 98) Country Voc / Twang E Gtr 49) Rumble Bass / FunkstompGt 99) Rumble Bass / FunkstompGt 50) Mono Def. / Mono Def. 100) Mono Def. / Mono Def. ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 54: Section 5 - Utilities 5.1 Input

    DanceMaster Techno Mix Demo CD 1 Demo CD 2 Kick Track Live CD Choral Ens. Piano Track ST E Gtr Drum Room ST Vocal Piano Room ST Ac Gtr String Sec. Synth Track Horn Sec. Orchestral ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 55: Digital Input Controls

    -∞ to +16 dB MIDI: 5-Pin DIN MIDI Out/Thru Jack A-D System Performance A-D Conversion: 24-bit, dbx Type IV™ Conversion System Convertor Dynamic Range: 114 dB typical, A-weighted, 22 kHz bandwidth 112 dB typical, unweighted, 22 kHz bandwidth Type IV™ Dynamic Range:...

  • Page 56: Midi Channels

    Appendix H TPDF Dither. (a) 24-Bit word output, (b) 20-Bit word output, (c) 16-Bit word output (d) 8-Bit word output. Parameters: Input -60dBFS, 1 kHz; FFT Length= 2048, Sample Rate= 48 Khz, Averages= 32; Graph Steps= 1024. ® QUANTUM User Manual...

  • Page 57: A/D Calibrate

    Appendix H 16-Bit TPDF dither. (a) Shape “off”, (b) with shape set to “S1”, (c) with shape set to “S2.” Parameters: Input -60dBFS, 1 kHz; FFT Length= 2048, Sample Rate= 48 Khz, Averages= 32; Graph Steps= 1024. ® QUANTUM User Manual...
  • Page 58 QUANTUM Appendix H (a) 24-Bit word, (b) 16-Bit truncated output, no dither. Parameters: Input -60dBFS, 1 kHz; FFT Length= 2048, Sample Rate= 48 Khz, Averages= 32; Graph Steps= 1024. ® QUANTUM User Manual...
  • Page 59 ® A Harman International Company 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 Fax (801) 568-7662 Int’l Fax: (219) 462-4596 Questions or comments? E-mail us at: customer@dbxpro.com or visit our World Wide Web home page at: www.dbxpro.com 18-5385-D...

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