The Rear Panel Elements; Technical Background; Expander Mode; Interactive Control Functions - Behringer MULTIGATE PRO XR4400 User Manual

9
MULTIGATE PRO XR4400 User Manual
◊
The HOLD control is enabled in GATE mode only!
(8) The RELEASE control determines the time of the release process.
This process begins after the end of the hold phase and ends when the gain
reduction adjusted with the RANGE control is achieved. The setting range of
the RELEASE control is from 0.05 to 4 seconds.
◊
The RELEASE control is enabled in GATE mode only!
(9) The MODE switch is used to set the operating mode of the respective
channel. When the switch is out, the corresponding section works as an
ultra-fast gate. In this mode, even percussive signals can be processed
without any signal loss. With the MODE function on, the IRC expander
(Interactive Ratio Control) is activated. This interactive control function
allows for the program-dependent expansion of complex signals. Both the
attack time and the fade-out characteristics (ratio) vary depending on the
program material. The agreeable results of this automatic process are less
critical adjustment work and "inaudible" expansion of the program material.

4.2 The rear panel elements

(13)
BEHRINGER
MULTIGATE PRO
MODEL XR4400
CONCEIVED AND DESIGNED BY
BEHRINGER GERMANY.
MADE IN CHINA.
OU T PU T S 4
(14) (16)
Fig. 4.3: Rear panel elements
(13) FUSE HOLDER / VOLTAGE SELECTOR. Please make sure that your local
voltage matches the voltage indicated on the unit, before you attempt to
connect and operate the MULTIGATE PRO. Blown fuses may only be replaced
by fuses of the same type and rating.
(14) MAINS CONNECTION. Use the enclosed power cord to connect the
unit to the mains. Please also note the instructions given in the
"Installation" chapter.
(15) AUDIO IN. These are the audio inputs of your MULTIGATE PRO, available both
as balanced 6.3 mm jack and XLR connectors.
(16) AUDIO OUT. These are the audio outputs of your MULTIGATE PRO.
Matching phone jack and XLR connectors are wired in parallel.

5. Technical Background

5.1 EXPANDER mode

As already described, a so-called downward expander automatically reduces
the overall level of all signals that drop below an adjustable threshold, and thus
expands the dynamic range of the program material. In other words, an expander
is the opposite of a compressor. Expanders usually work with a relatively flat ratio
curve to fade out the signal smoothly.
Noise gates are a special form of expander using a much steeper ratio curve to
abruptly cut the signal when it drops below the threshold. As expanders and
gates are quite similar in what they do the following description of expanders
and their functionalities also applies to noise gates.
ALL INPUTS & OUTPUTS ALL INPUTS & OUTPUTS
FULLY BAL ANCED FULLY BAL ANCED
TIP / PIN 2
RING / PIN 3
SLEEVE / PIN 1
INPU T S 4 0U T PU T S 3
(15)
(10) The RANGE/RATIO control performs a dual function: depending on the
position of the MODE switch (i.e. depending on the operating mode of the
unit: gate or expander), the RANGE/RATIO control determines the maximum
amount of gain reduction or the expansion curve. In gate mode, this control
adjusts the RANGE determining the amount of maximum gain reduction
from 0 dB to -80 dB. In expander mode, it works as a RATIO control setting
the expansion ratio. The ratio function determines the input vs. output level
ratio, for all signals below the threshold. The setting range is from 1:1 to 1:4.
(11) The 8-digit GAIN REDUCTION meter informs you about the current amount
of gain reduction within a range from 1 to 40 dB.
(12) When you press the COUPLE switch, this channel is automatically configured
as a "slave" channel. Its left neighbor becomes the "master" now controlling
both channels in all their parameters.
ALL INPUTS & OUTPUTS
FULLY BAL ANCED
TIP / PIN 2 TIP / PIN 2
RING / PIN 3 RING / PIN 3
SLEEVE / PIN 1 SLEEVE / PIN 1
INPU T S 3 0U T PU T S 2
amplitude
max.
audio signal
min.
masked noise
0
amplitude
max.
audio signal
min.
masked noise
0
Fig. 6.1: Expander mode

5.2 Interactive control functions

Like the COMPOSER, INTELLIGATE, MULTICOM, and others, the MULTIGATE PRO
uses the newly developed INTERACTIVE principle based on a chain of intelligent
control functions. For example, the IRC expander (Interactive Ratio Control)
does not use a fixed ratio curve but varies this curve depending on the input level
and the setting of the THRESHOLD control.
ALL INPUTS & OUTPUTS
FULLY BAL ANCED
TIP / PIN 2
RING / PIN 3
SLEEVE / PIN 1
INPU T S 2 0U T PU T S 1 INPU T S 1
input
audible noise
output
threshold
audible noise
time
time