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Apex Digital dBC-8 User Manual

Db-series 8 channel compressor / limiter
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Summary of Contents for Apex Digital dBC-8

  • Page 3 APEX Schoebroekstraat 62 3583 Beringen (Paal) BELGIUM Tel: + 32 (0)11 28 61 91 Fax: + 32 (0)11 25 56 38 email: info@apex-audio.be website: www.apex-audio.be...

  • Page 4: Environmental Precaution

    Environmental precaution EU Directive 2002/96/EC Remark: This notice applies only to countries within the European Union (EU) and Norway Electrical and electronic equipment may contain hazardous substances for humans and their environment. The “crossed out wheelie bin” symbol present on the device and represen- ted above is there to remind one of the obligation of selective collection of waste.
  • Page 5 However if you would like to make the best use of the dBC-8 or would like to know more about compressors in general, we invite you to read this manual.
  • Page 6 User-serviceable parts There are no user serviceable parts inside the dBC-8. In case of failure, refer all servicing to the factory. Servicing is required when the dBC-8 has been damaged in any way, such as when a power supply cord or plug is...

  • Page 7: Attack Time

    On the dBC-8 this value can be set by the user between 30 mseconds and 3 seconds.

  • Page 8: Product Highlights

    PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS The dBC-8 offers 8 individual compressors in an extremely compact package. The user controls are extremely straightforward and intuitive. Connections are balanced on TRS-Jacks. The dBC-8 offers professional sound quality with user friendly controls in a compact housing.

  • Page 9: Front And Rear Panel Description

    4: RELEASE: the time it will take to return to a linear transfer function when the input level has drop- ped under the threshold level again. In other words: how long it will take the dBC-8 to stop compressing when the signal is under the threshold.

  • Page 10: Rear Panel

    5: BYPASS: activating this switch will connect the input to the output of that channel, thus bypassing the compressor functions. The green LED indicates that the bypass functions is active, so the compressor is not in the signal path. Sound passes unaltered. 6: LINK: activating activating this switch will link the two channels on either side of the switch.

  • Page 11: Cable Connections

    Mic level signals may be used but you will find that they have too low a level to be controlled precisely. The dBC-8 is a professional piece of equipment and has balanced in- and outputs where Tip is +, Ring is – and Sleeve is Ground.
  • Page 12 When you have a balanced insert point or are inserting the gate in a balanced line, connect the output or send signal of the console or line to the input of the dBC-8, and connect the output of the gate to the Return or input connection of the console or line.
  • Page 13 The result: the vocals will not be clearly audible or will be too loud and you will get kicked by an angry crowd. So next time you will make sure you have an Apex dBC-8 ready...
  • Page 14 for the job. Inserting a compressor in the channel of the lead vocal will permit you to have control over the dynamics of the vocals without having to manually adapt the fader all the time. The compressor will reduce the (wildly varying) dynamics of the lead singer to a more controlled variation.
  • Page 15 As a further example have a look at drawing 2: this shows the dynamic transfer curve of a compressor set with a ratio of infinity:1 (this is called more often a limiter if we do not take in account the attack time). As you can see the variation of 10dB at the input (above threshold) is now reduced to a dynamic variation of almost 0dB.
  • Page 16 Apex dBC-8 with a decent level signal so that you can make up for the loss in peak level with the signal fader.

  • Page 17: Parameter Setting

    2:1 and move down the threshold until you see some compression going on (red com- pression LEDS on the dBC-8). Please bear in mind that the threshold parameter is closely linked to the ratio parameter. When using a high ratio, set the threshold as high as possible since you want to stop signals going over a certain level.

  • Page 18: Release Time

    Release Time: This is the time it takes the compressor to return to its linear state once the input signal has dropped again under the threshold. As already said this parameter is closely linked to the attack parameter. When set to a very short value and with program material with a lot of pauses/silences (like human voice) this can lead to the dreadful ‘pumping’...

  • Page 19: Technical Specifications

    Technical Specifications Line Inputs: Eight balanced high impedance line level inputs, 10 kOhms, on 1/4” TRS jack connector Maximum Input Level: +20 dBu Line Outputs: Eight electronically balanced low impedance outputs, < 60 Ohms Maximum Output Level: +20 dBu into 600 Ohms Output noise: <...

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