Operating Notes - dbx 262 Operation Manual

Operating Notes

Operating Notes
6
is powered.
Caution: Never remove the cover. There are no user-serviceable parts inside,
and you run the risk of an electric shock.
3. Make balanced or unbalanced connections via 1/4" TRS jacks according to
your requirements.
4. Check the line voltage: The unit is shipped for either 100-120V or 230V,
50/60 Hz operation (ie: not both). Refer to the unit's rear panel AC power con-
nector to verify that the voltage is correct for your area. Securely connect the
AC power cord to the unit and mains power.
Using the THRESHOLD Control
In Hard Knee mode (OverEasy® switch out), THRESHOLD sets a reference
level above which input signals will be processed by the 262's gain change cir-
cuitry in the manner defined by the setting of the RATIO control. Input signals
which fall below this level will pass through the 262 unprocessed (except for
fixed gain changes directed by the OUTPUT GAIN control).
In OverEasy® Mode (OverEasy® switch depressed), signals begin to gradually
activate the 262's gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD refer-
ence level and do not get fully processed in the manner defined by the RATIO
control until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference
level. In OverEasy® mode there is no distinct point at which processing begins,
and the THRESHOLD setting corresponds to a point on the input/output trans-
fer curve midway between the onset of processing and that point at which the
transfer curve corresponds to the setting of the RATIO control. Figure 1 on page
4 shows the OverEasy® compression curves and how they correlate with the
THRESHOLD LEDs. Similarly, Figure 2 on the same page illustrates the
THRESHOLD LED operation for the Hard Knee mode.
Using the COMPRESSION RATIO Control
When an input signal is above the THRESHOLD reference level, the setting of
this control determines the number of decibels by which the input signal must
change in level to produce a 1 dB increase in the signal level at the output of
the 262. A setting of 2:1 indicates an input:output ratio wherein a 2 dB increase
in signal (above threshold) will produce a 1 dB increase in output signal. A set-
ting of °:1 indicates that an infinite increase in input level would be required to
raise the output level by 1 dB. In other words, the output level stays constant
when the input signal rises above threshold.
The 262's RATIO control covers the entire range from 1:1 to °:1 and, in addi-
tion, goes to Infinity+™ (negative) ratios. At a setting of -1:1, the above thresh-
old input signal must increase by 1 dB in level to decrease the signal at the out-
put of the 262 by 1 dB. See Figure 3 below. The control curve of the RATIO
potentiometer has been designed to provide total operator control, with scale
expansion at the subtle, lower ratios for easy, repeatable settings.