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This consideration
is
appropriate
when
the limiter
is
patched into
the signal
path at
a
point where individual inputs are
to
be con-
trolled artistically before mixing (solo tracks).
3.5.2
EQUALIZATION, BEFORE OR AFTER THE LIMITER?
In
most
cases,
better results are obtained
if
one places
the
limiter after the equalizer.
This becomes evident
when
one consi-
ders that the equalizer could eliminate the amplitude
balance
so
carefully achieved with the limiter.
An exception to this would
be
in the case
of large dynamic changes in
program material that
are too difficult for the equalizer to handle, and that would thus
result
in
overload
or
a
poor signal— to— noise ratio.
Then
the 1178
should be used to condition the audio signal before
it
is
applied
to the
equalizer
or
other device.
3.5.3
FULL PROGRAM MATERIAL
It is
good to recall that the action of
a
limiter
is
most
obvious when applied to the full program material because
at this
point one does not benefit from the masking that occurs when
individually limited sources are mixed.
Therefore, it
is
even
more important
to
carefully select
the dynamic parameters, like
attack and release time, to achieve
an
optimum result.
Here
are
some additional tips
:
On live
program material
,
the fastest attack time possible will
afford the
maximum protection against
overload, but will cause
some alteration of the sound.
On pre-recorded tape, disc
or
film,
slower attack time may be used to maintain
a
high average
level
.
For
program material containing relatively little low frequency
energy, the
release time may be
fast,
thereby increasing
the short interval average level.
The highest apparent average
level may
be attained with
the shortest release time
before
"pumping" becomes objectionable.
For
program material contain
-
ing
more than average low frequency energy
,
the release time
must be increased
to the
point that no low frequency distortion
is
apparent.
A
further compromise may be made by slightly
reducing the amount of limiting action
in
favor of slightly
faster release time: the result
—
a
higher average
level.
Adjustment
of the
Attack Time control also affects
the amount
of
sibilant speech sound
.
These high frequency components
in
speech are normally at much lower level than the low frequency
components, and the control voltage derived from sibilants
alone
is
much less than from the "vowel" or low frequency
sounds.
In cases
where attack time
is
extremely
slow, the
rise time and amplitude of the high frequency sibilants will
not cause control voltage to be developed until the "vowel"
-
15
-
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