Headroom - E-Mu ESI-32 Operation Manual

Tip: The headroom adjustment also
controls the level on the optional S/PDIF
digital audio output.
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ESI-32 Operation Manual

3. Headroom

Headroom is the amount of dynamic range remaining before clipping
will occur. Sampling instruments are quite different from a CD player,
since a sampler plays multiple channels at once. Each channel boosts the
headroom requirement by 3 dB. The amount of headroom on the ESI-32
is adjustable from 0 dB to 15 dB in 1 dB increments (with the front
panel volume control set to maximum). A headroom setting of 0 dB for
example, will provide the hottest output level, (and the highest signal to
noise ratio) but may cause "clipping" if too many notes are played at
once. The default headroom setting is 10 dB, which maintains an
excellent signal to noise ratio while keeping a reasonable amount of
headroom in reserve. If you hear clipping from the ESI-32, raise the
amount of headroom. The headroom setting is retained when power is
switched off.
1. Activate Master/Global module.
2. Select 8. Special, 3. Headroom (8/3)
3. Select the desired amount of headroom. The amount of remaining
headroom is variable from 0 dB to 15 dB in 1 dB increments.
Headroom:
Select Headroom
4. Press ENTER to exit the submodule. The ESI-32 will return to the
Module Identifier.
x1
x2
x4
x8
Each channel played adds +3 dB to the output level. Increase the headroom to prevent clipping.
HEADROOM
10dB
-
5
VU
-
5
VU
-
5
VU
-
5
VU
+
+
+
+