Dynamics Operation; Gate/Expander Section - Solid State Logic AWS DELTA 916 Owner's Manual

Analogue Operations
D O
YNAMICS PERATION
While the Stereo Bus Compressor controls are self explanatory, the two compressor/gate sections require a word or two
of explanation:
The dynamics may be assigned singly or as a pair to any channel using the Dynamics 1 and 2 buttons on the channel meter
panel. Alternatively, they may be assigned to the Record or Mix busses by means of the DYN function on the main bus
select panel. In this case, Dynamics 1 is used for the left bus, Dynamics 2 for the right bus.
The dynamics sections are located below the track bus meters. The compressor makes up the top half of each section,
and the gate makes up the bottom half. Both compressor and gate use the same gain element.
The IN button at the bottom of the gate switches the entire section in and out of circuit.
The yellow and red LEDs indicate the amount of gain reduction the compressor section is applying. The green LEDs
indicate the amount of gain reduction applied by the Gate/Expander section.
The LINK button towards the base of the gate links the sidechain signal of that unit to the sidechain of the other dynamics
section. The control voltages are then summed together, so that whichever section has the most gain reduction will
control the other section. This is most useful when using both dynamics sections on a stereo signal.
The KEY button at the bottom of the gate enables a dynamics section to be controlled by an external source signal.
C /L
OMPRESSOR IMITER
RATIO: When turned to 1:1, the compressor/limiter section is inactive. Turning the control
clockwise increases the compression ratio, giving a true limiter when fully clockwise.
PK: The compressor normally has an 'over-easy' characteristic. Pressing PK switches this to
peak sensing, and replaces the 'over-easy' characteristic with a hard knee.
THRESHOLD: This controls the level at which the compressor starts to act.
Automatic gain make-up is provided, to maintain a steady output level as you introduce more compression.
FST ATK: Normally the attack time is program dependent (3ms – 30ms). Press this button to select
a fixed fast attack time (3ms for 20dB gain reduction).
RELEASE: Sets the time constant (speed) with which the compressor returns to normal gain settings
once the signal has passed its maximum.
G /E S
ATE XPANDER ECTION
This section can act as an
RANGE: Determines the depth of gating or expansion. When turned to 0 the gate is inactive. When
turned fully clockwise, a gate depth of 40dB can be obtained.
THRESHOLD: Determines the level at which the gate opens or below which gain reduction begins (EXP selected).
Adjustable from +10dBu to -20dBu. Variable hysteresis is incorporated in the threshold circuitry to prevent
spurious triggering of the gate when the signal is close to the threshold level. This means that the signal
has to decay roughly 2dB below the threshold level before the gate will start to close.
Normally, a controlled linear attack time of 1.5ms per 40dB is provided. Press this button to select a fast
FST ATK:
attack time (100µs per 40dB). The attack time is the time taken for the Gate/Expander to 'recover' once
the signal level is above the threshold. When gating signals with a steep rising edge, such as drums, a slow
attack may effectively mask the initial THWACK, so you should be aware of this when selecting the
appropriate attack time.
RELEASE: This determines the speed at which the Gate/Expander reduces the signal level once it has passed below
the threshold, variable from 0.1 to 4 seconds. Note that this control interacts with the RANGE control.
HOLD: Determines the time after the signal has decayed below the threshold before the gate starts to close.
Variable from 0 to 4 seconds.
Page 3-24
S
ECTION
:1 Gate, or as a 2:1 Expander when the EXP button is pressed.
∞
AWS elta Owner's Manual