Using The Compellor With The Dominator And Aural Exciter - Aphex COMPELLOR 300 Operating Manual

instrumental sounds from each other, and cleaner and " tighter" sounding
tracks overall.
Since headroom is much less of a problem with the COMPELLOR, consis-
tently "hotter" tracks can be put on the tape, resulting in improved signal-to-
noise, as well as improved listenability. The COMPELLOR will not reduce
high frequencies or increase sibilance, thereby reducing the need for equali-
zation and de-essing.
2.2.9 Mixing
As a mixer, you will find the COMPELLOR frees you to be creative and
eliminates the typical "mix fixation" on output meters. With this unit in the
output chain, you know that variations in board output level will never be
heard on the mixdown tape.
2.3 Using the COMPELLOR with the DOMINATOR
and AURAL EXCITER
For the ultimate in total dynamics and loudness control, the COMPELLOR
may be used to feed the Aphex DOMINATOR, a multi-band peak processor.
While the COMPELLOR works to control average levels, the DOMINATOR
operates only on peak signals, allowing the user complete manipulation of
peak- to-average-ratios and, therefore, loudness. While the COMPELLOR
provides peak limiting on a safety basis for protection, the DOMINATOR is
designed to actively limit the signal on a full-time basis, with the same level
of transparency as the COMPELLOR. This is achieved by limiting low, mid
and high bands separately, instead of together, eliminating interaction ( the
usual dull, "squashed" sound associated with limiting).
It is extremely important for audio professionals to be aware of pre-emphasis
in transmission and recording systems. The American standard is 75 lis,
which provides 17 dB of boost at 15 kHz. Because the COMPELLOR is a
wide-band device, it is inappropiate for use as a pre-emphasis limiter. The
multi-band design of the DOMINATOR allows for audio signals with pre-
emphasis so that modulation can be increased up to 17 dB without overload.
For further enhancement, specify the Model 303, which includes an internal
AURAL EXCITER, or alternately install an Aphex AURAL EXCITER Type III
(Model 250) after the COMPELLOR ( Models 300 or 301). As mentioned
earilier, the AURAL EXCITER is a psychoacoustics enhancer that restores
intelligibility, presence and brightness to any audio signal, without the gross
level changes and unrealistic sound of equalization. The AURAL EXCITER
will also create a bright, clean high end where none exists, something no
equalizer can do.
When used together, the average level can be set as high as desired, while
cleanly and safely maintaining an absolute peak ceiling. The limiting is so
positive that the DOMINATOR can be set 1 dB below the crash point without
Operational Characteristics 2-1 1