Rane C4 Operator's Manual

-12 -6 -3 -1 TH 18 12 8 4
dBr Reduction dB
-10
2 0
-20 0
1.5 5 -6 +6
-30 +10
-40 +20
1 10 -12 +12
dBu n:1 dB
COMP THRESHOLD RATIO GAIN
100 500
125 1 s
50 250
50 2 s
Auto
25 500 25
ms ms Hard Soft
ATTACK RELEASE KNEE
Auto
2 640 0
1 5 125 3.15k
0.5 10 20 20k -12 +12
oct Hz dB
BANDWIDTH FREQUENCY GAIN
PEQ

Quick Start

Rejected Rane advertising slogan #1743: "C4. It'll blow your mind!"
We're not entirely sure why the marketing department didn't like the idea, but be assured: unlike its explosive material namesake,
the C4 Quad Compressor will not blow up. Heck, it won't even spark or sizzle under normal circumstances. The only thing smokin'
will be your mix, thanks to the C4's smooth compression, precise de-essing and ultra-fast limiting.
Each of the C4's four channels offers a full-featured compressor with selectable COMPressor and DE-ESSer modes. In addi-
tion, an oversampled, brick wall LIMITER is included for catching signal peaks. COMP, THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK,
RELEASE and KNEE give full control over the audio envelope. The compressor is toggled on and off using the ACTIVE/BYPASS
switch; the Limiter is engaged at all times and is not affected by this switch. Limiter operation is completely independent of the com-
pressor with its own LIMIT THRESHOLD control and Headroom meter. Channels 1 & 2, and 3 & 4 can be LINKed to maintain
a proper left/right stereo image, with channels 1 and 3 acting as the MASTERs, respectively.
For the ultimate in dynamics processing flexibility, the C4 includes both internal and external side-chain functions, with a full
PEQ (parametric EQ) section included for good measure. External side-chain mode is automatically selected whenever a connector is
plugged into the rear panel SIDE-CHAIN jack. Selecting LISTEN mode routes the side-chain audio to the channel output, allow-
ing you to hear the effect of PEQ adjustments when doing frequency-sensitive compression or de-essing. If you'd prefer to not use the
side-chain PEQ, simply set the PEQ GAIN to 0 dB.
Setting up the C4 is a breeze thanks to the fast, accurate side-chain and Gain Reduction combination meter. For users unfamiliar
with de-essing, the ▼ pointer on each control indicates a recommended setting for this specialized application. The Auto attack and
release mode speeds up sound check, and the Tips and Tricks on page Manual-8 serve as a handy reference guide for getting started
with compression. Thank you for taking the time to read this Quick Start. We now return you to your regularly scheduled sound
check or recording session.
Contents
Quick Start....................................................................1
Dynamics 101 Revisited ............................................2
Compression.....................................................................2
De-essing...........................................................................2
Peak Limiting.....................................................................3
Making Connections..................................................4
Front Panel Controls .................................................4
Side-chain and Gain Reduction Meters.....................4
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
OPERATORS MANUAL
1 2
LINK
2 1 -12 -6 -3 -1 TH 18 12 8
MASTER SLAVE
dBr Reduction dB
-10
2 0
-20 0
1.5 5 -6
ACTIVE BYPASS
-30 +10
-40 +20
1 10 -12
LIMIT
dBu n:1 dB
COMP THRESHOLD RATIO GAIN
3
-10 100 500
6
-20 0 125 1 s
50 250
12
-30 +10 50 2 s
24
Auto
-40 +22 25 500 25
dBu dB ms ms Hard
LIMIT THRESHOLD ATTACK RELEASE KNEE
Headroom
Auto
2 640 0
1 5 125 3.15k
Comp Listen De-ess
0.5 10 20 20k -12
oct Hz dB
SIDE-CHAIN BANDWIDTH FREQUENCY GAIN
PEQ
QUAD COMPRESSOR / LIMITER
4 2 1 -12 -6 -3 -1 TH 18 12
dBr
-10
2
-20 0
+6 1.5 5 -6
ACTIVE BYPASS
-30 +10
-40 +20
+12 1 10 -12
LIMIT
dBu n:1
COMP THRESHOLD RATIO
3
-10 100 500
6
-20 0 125 1 s
50 250
12
-30 +10 50 2 s
24
25 Auto
-40 +22 25 500
Soft dBu dB ms ms Hard
LIMIT THRESHOLD ATTACK RELEASE
Headroom
Auto
2 640
1 5 125 3.15k
Comp Listen De-ess
+12 0.5 10 20 20k -12
oct Hz
SIDE-CHAIN BANDWIDTH FREQUENCY
PEQ
MASTER / SLAVE Stereo Link.....................................5
ACTIVE / BYPASS ..........................................................5
COMPressor THRESHOLD, RATIO and GAIN......6
ATTACK, RELEASE and KNEE....................................6
SIDE-CHAIN Mode and Listen ....................................7
SIDE-CHAIN Parametric EQ ........................................7
Limit Threshold and Headroom Meter........................8
Tips and Tricks.............................................................8
Complete specifications and the internal block diagram are
found in the C4 Data Sheet, included in this booklet.
3 4
LINK
8 4 2 1 -12 -6 -3 -1 TH 18
MASTER SLAVE
Reduction dB dBr
-10
0 2
-20 0
+6 1.5 5
ACTIVE BYPASS
-30 +10
-40 +20
+12 1 10
LIMIT
dB dBu n:1
GAIN COMP THRESHOLD RATIO
3
-10 100 500
6
-20 0 125 1 s
50 250
12
-30 +10 50 2 s
24
25 500 25 Auto
-40 +22
Soft dBu dB ms ms
KNEE LIMIT THRESHOLD ATTACK RELEASE
Headroom
Auto
0 2 640
1 5 125 3.15k
Comp Listen De-ess
+12 0.5 10 20 20k
dB oct Hz
GAIN SIDE-CHAIN BANDWIDTH FREQUENCY
PEQ
C4
12 8 4 2 1
Reduction dB
0
-6 +6
ACTIVE BYPASS
-12 +12
LIMIT
dB
GAIN
3
-10
6
-20 0
12
-30 +10
24
-40 +22
C4
Hard Soft dBu dB
QUAD
KNEE LIMIT THRESHOLD
Headroom COMPRESSOR
0
POWER
Comp Listen De-ess
-12 +12
dB
GAIN SIDE-CHAIN
Manual-1