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The Studio Dominator, rather than making the threshold user
variable, operates with a self controlled threshold.
A variable
input gain control is then provided to adjust the "drive" to the
gain
controlling
and
detector circuits,
allowing
the Output
level control
to be
precisely calibrated.
This method offers
the advantage of
optimized noise and
distortion design in
the
circuitry, calibrated output level, and simplified operation.
3.5 Attack and Release Times'
Timing parameters are
extremely critical to
the operation
of limiters and compressors.
The two timing factors of greatest
importance are
attack time
and release
time (sometimes called
recovery time).
The attack time is the time the processor requires to bring
the input signal under 90% control after the input level exceeds
the
operating
threshold.
Limiters
usually
incorporate fast
attack times
to prevent
sudden signal
increases from escaping
amplitude
control.
Compressors
usually
incorporate
slower
attack
times
to
prevent
washing
out
of
transient
sounds.
Because of this,
compressors will generally
produce overshoots
at the output well above
the average signal level.
Often,
the
attack time is not adjustable by the user, and thus becomes part
of
the
characteristic
sound
of
the
particular
model
of
compressor.
Release
time
is the
time
required by
the
processor to
restore itself to 90% of
full gain when the input
signal drops
below threshold.
This time can vary from a fraction of a second
to many seconds depending on the particular device.
Very
often
this parameter
is made
user adjustable
both for
limiters and
compressors even if the attack time is internally fixed.
Longer
release time results in less loudness because the gain does
not
restore
low
levels quickly.
Faster
release time
results in
correspondingly greater
loudness, but
this sometimes
comes at
the cost of greater
distortion (especially to low
frequencies)
and more audibility of the gain control effects.
3.6 Limiters and Limiting
As
previously
discussed,
in
order
to
be
effective, a
limiter typically has a threshold above
avo,
a high
compression
ratio(7:1
or
greater),
and
fast
attack
and
release times.
Compressors
usually
operate at
much
lower ratios
from, say,
1.1:1
to
3:1 in
order to
maintain
a pleasing
sound quality
because gain
reduction is
taking place
over a
larger dynamic
range.
Compressors operating with a high compression ratio
are
mostly
used
when
a
sound
effect
is
intended.
Recording
engineers may use a heavily driven limiter as a compressor
when
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