Behringer MDX4600 Quick Start Manual page 6

10 MDX4600/MDX2600
MDX4600/MDX2600 Controls
(EN) Step 2: Controls
(1) Pressing the COUPLE switch links the
channels. In couple mode, dynamics are
controlled by using channel 1 switches and
controls, whereby the control signal is derived
from the energy of both side chain channels
(true stereo processing).
(2) Use the TRIGGER control in the expander/
gate section to determine the threshold below
which expansion sets in, so that signals below
threshold are reduced in gain. The setting
range is from OFF to +10 dB.
(3) If a signal below the adjusted value is applied,
the red LED (expansion on) lights up. If the
signal gain is above the adjusted value,
the green LED lights up.
(4) In order to adapt the expander/gate optimally
to the program material, use the RELEASE
switch to select a short or long release time.
Percussive material with little or no reverb at
all is usually processed with a short release
time (switch not pressed). The long release
time is the best choice for slowly decaying or
heavily reverberated signals (switch pressed).
(5) The GATE switch allows you to toggle
between the expander (switch not pressed)
and the gate function (switch pressed).
Use the gate function to mute signals below
threshold (e.g. noise).
(6) Use the THRESHOLD control to adjust the
compressor threshold from -40 to +20 dB.
(7) These three LEDs (MDX2600 only) indicate
whether the input signal is above or below the
adjusted compressor threshold. The yellow
LED in the middle refers to the IKA "soft knee"
range (if IKA is on).
(8) Activating the SC EXT switch interrupts
the link between the signal input and the
compressor control section. At the same
time, an external control signal can be fed
in via the rear panel SIDECHAIN RETURN
jack, taking over control of the input signal
dynamics reduction.
(9) The SC MON switch links the sidechain input
signal to the audio output, thereby muting the
audio input signal. For example, this allows
you to pre-monitor the sidechain signal in
combination with an equalizer or other device
inserted into the sidechain channel.
(10) The RATIO control determines the ratio of
input vs. output level with regard to all signals
exceeding threshold by more than 10 dB.
Although the compression starts earlier,
the IKA characteristic ensures the smooth,
inaudible onset of the gain reduction, which is
why the ratio value will be reached only with
10 dB or more above threshold. It can be
set continuously from 1:1 (no compression)
to ∞:1 (limiter).
(11) The 12-digit GAIN REDUCTION display
(MDX4600: 8-digit) informs you about the
current gain reduction applied (1 to 30 dB).
(12) The LO CONTOUR switch activates a high-pass
fi lter in the side-chain path and thus avoids
the "pumping" eff ect caused by high-energy
bass frequencies and their infl uence on the
compression process.
(13)
Use the ATTACK control to determine when
the compression sets in once the signal has
exceeded threshold (MDX2600 only).
(14) Press the INTERACT KNEE switch to change
from "hard knee" to IKA characteristic:
Input signals exceeding threshold by up to
10 dB will be processed with a "soft knee"
characteristic. Above 10 dB the control
characteristic changes from "soft knee" to a
more conventional "hard knee" compression.
(15) The AUTO function, which is activated
with the AUTO switch, disables the
ATTACK and RELEASE controls and derives
these time values automatically from the
program material.
(16) The RELEASE control (MDX2600 only) sets the
time when the original 1:1 gain is reached,
after the signal has dropped below threshold
again.
(17) Use the TUBE switch (MDX2600 only) to
enhance the output signal with the warm and
transparent tonal character typically produced
by electronic tubes.
(18) The OUTPUT control allows you to raise
or lower the output signal by max. 20 dB,
so as to make up for a gain loss caused by
the compressor or limiter action. Raise the
gain by roughly the same amount that
it has been reduced by the compressor.
The GAIN REDUCTION display (11) reads the
value adjusted.
(19) The 12-digit INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL (29) MAINS CONNECTION.
display (MDX4600: 8-digit) reads both
(30) OUTPUTS. These are the audio outputs
the level of the incoming audio signal
of your dynamics processor. The two
and the level at the dynamics processor
matching ¼ " TRS and XLR connectors are
output. The range is from -30 to +18 dB
wired in parallel and balanced. Of course,
(MDX4600: -24 to +18 dB).
unbalanced cables can be connected here
(20) The IN/OUT METER switch selects whether
as well.
the gain LEDs read the input signal
(31) OPERATING LEVEL switch. This switch can
(switch not pressed) or the output signal
be used to adapt the MDX2600 or MDX4600
(switch pressed).
to various operating levels, i.e. to toggle
(21) The IN/OUT switch activates the
between home recording level (-10 dBV) and
corresponding channel. It provides a studio level (+4 dBu). The level meters will
so-called "hard bypass", i.e. if it is OUT or be referenced automatically to the nominal
the unit is not connected to the mains, level adjusted, so that the compressor works
the input jack will be linked directly to the in its optimum operating range.
output jack (MDX2600 only). Usually, this
(32) INPUTS. These are the audio inputs. They are
switch is used for direct A/B comparison
also on balanced ¼ " TRS and XLR connectors.
between unprocessed and compressed/
limited signals. (33) SIDECHAIN SEND. This is the unbalanced
sidechain output, which allows you to
(22) ENHANCER switch. Activates the
route the audio signal to other devices for
dynamic enhancer, which boosts treble only
external processing.
during compression to give a more natural
(34) SIDECHAIN RETURN. The sidechain input
frequency balance.
allows you to use an external signal or the
(23) LEVEL control (MDX2600). Instead of an
processed (e.g. with an equalizer) audio
adjustable enhancer, the MDX2600 has
signal routed from the SIDECHAIN SEND jack
a controllable de-esser, which helps you
to control your MDX2600.
eliminate hiss noise contained in the
audio signal. The LEVEL control determines
the amount of frequency suppression.
(24) DE-ESSER LEVEL (MDX2600). The LED chain
reads the current attenuation within a range
from +3 to +12 dB.
(25) MALE switch. This switch adapts the
de-esser to the male (switch pressed)
or female registers (not pressed).
(26) IN/OUT switch. Switches the de-esser on
and off .
NOTE: The De-esser can only function while
compression is being applied.
(27) The peak limiter limits the signal to an
adjustable level. When the LIMITER control
is turned fully to the right, the limiter is
switched off . Owing to its extremely fast
"zero" attack, this circuit is capable of
limiting signal peaks without any overshoot.
If the signal is limited for more than 20 ms,
the overall gain is reduced for about 1 s to
avoid strong and thus audible limiter eff ects.
(28) The LIMIT LED lights up as soon as the limiter
is on.
Quick Start Guide 11