Roland VS-2480 Owner's Manual page 161

The KeyIn feature can be helpful when the current channel's signal level fluctuations
aren't making the dynamics processor react the way you want. If there's another signal
with stronger dynamic changes that match the timing of those in the channel's signal,
you can use that other signal to drive the channel's dynamics processor.
If the signal you're working with is too steady in level to adequately trigger its
dynamics processor, you can create a copy of the channel's signal to use just as a KeyIn
signal source—don't send the copied signal to the main mix or a track. Add
exaggerated EQ (Page 162) to the copy so that its level changes are more dramatic and
can better trigger your dynamics processor. If you're working with an input channel
signal, you can make your KeyIn copy by assigning the input jack or connector you're
using to an additional input channel. If you're working with a track channel signal, you
can record a dummy track with exaggerated EQ for KeyIn use.
You can use KeyIn to set up "ducking," in which one channel's signal level is
automatically lowered in response to the presence of a signal in another channel. If
you're doing spot production, for example, use your voice-over as the KeyIn source for
your music bed—when the voice-over starts, the bed's level is automatically lowered.
You can also create interesting special effects by using a KeyIn signal whose dynamic
changes don't match those in the channel's signal. This lets you impose a new, totally
different set of dynamic changes on the channel's signal. For example, a KeyIn
percussion sound can make the channel's signal level go up and down in rhythm.
10. Graphic Dynamics Display
The graphic dynamics display shows you how the dynamics
processor is shaping the level of the channel's signal. The numbers
at the bottom of the graph represent the signal's original level, while
the levels on the right show the action of the dynamics processor
with your current settings.
Here's a simple way to understand the graphic display. Locate your Threshold setting
along the lower edge of the display. If you're using a compressor, you can see how the
compressor shapes your signal's level to the right of the threshold. An expander's effect
is shown to the left of the threshold. With an expander/compressor, both sides of the
threshold show the processor's effect.
11. IN/OUT/GR Meters
The DYN screen provides three meters that let you see what the channel's
dynamics processor is doing to its signal at any given moment. The:
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Roland VS-2480 Owner's Manual
IN meter—shows the signal's original level coming into the dynamics
processor.
OUT meter—shows the signal's level coming out of the dynamics processor.
GR (Gain Reduction) meter—shows the amount of gain reduction being applied.
11—Input and Track Channel Tools
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