Input Gain; Compressor Threshold; Release; Output Gain - DOD RTA Signal Processors Owner's Manual

Signal Processors 18-0121-B 6/8/99 10:25 AM Page 21
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will light whenever the signal is being gated. To disable the gating action, set
the Gate Threshold control to the full counter-clockwise position (the gate
control is fully independent of all other controls on the 866).
Input Gain: The Input Gain control allows you to adjust the signal level to the
compressor. This control directly affects the setting of the Gate Threshold
control and the Compressor Threshold control, and is active even when the
Compress switch is in the out position. With the Input Gain control set to 0
dB, over 20 dB of headroom is available to the compressor.
Compressor Threshold: This control sets the level at which the compressor
begins to act. The Input Gain control affects the Compressor Threshold set-
ting by changing the overall level that the compressor sees. When used in
combination with the Input Gain control, the Compressor Threshold control
can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of signal levels.
Ratio: Determines the amount, or ratio, of compression applied to the incom-
ing signal. A ratio of 1:1 means that no compression is applied; a ratio of less
than 10:1 is generally considered compression ; a ratio of more than 10:1 is
generally considered limiting ; a ratio of ∞:1 allows no signal above the
Compressor Threshold level setting.
Attack: This control adjusts the speed with which the compressor reacts to
an increase in input signal level above the threshold. Shorter attack time set-
tings will cause the compressor to react more quickly to transients, giving an
added measure of protection to sensitive equipment. Longer attack times
allow more of the transient to pass, yielding a more natural sound while still
compressing the dynamic range of the signal.
Release: The Release control adjusts the speed with which the compressor
reacts to a decrease in input signal level above the threshold. Faster release
time settings can cause a sudden increase in noise on peaks for some pro-
gram material as the compressor lets go. This effects is known as "breath-
ing". Increasing the Release time setting will help minimize breathing.
Output Gain: Determines the output level of the compressor. This is useful
when making up for gain lost in the compression process. The output level is
active only when the Compress switch is depressed.
Gain Reduction: This six segment LED bar graph indicates the amount of
gain reduction by the compressor. It operates even when the Compress
switch is in the out position so that the user can preview the action of the 866
before it is inserted into the signal path.
Compress: The compress switch activates the compressor when depressed.