-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
Compression.....................................................................2
De-essing...........................................................................2
Peak Limiting.....................................................................3
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
ACTIVE / BYPASS ..........................................................5
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