Sound Audio Dynamics Toolbox User Manual

Audio processor

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Dynamics Toolbox Processor
User Manual
Safe Sound Audio
Dynamics Toolbox
Audio Processor
User Manual
Safe Sound Audio, UK

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Summary of Contents for Sound Audio Dynamics Toolbox

  • Page 1 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Safe Sound Audio Dynamics Toolbox Audio Processor User Manual Safe Sound Audio, UK...
  • Page 2: Dynamics Toolbox Features

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 2 Dynamics Toolbox Features Compressor Two great stereo linkable compressors in one package PLUS a choice of ‘peakride’ or ‘dynamic tracking’ compression, so a fantastic range of compression for tracking and mixing. Includes the fabled ‘New York’ parallel compression - very rare in a stereo linkable compressor.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 3 Contents Page Dynamics Toolbox Features Safety Information; READ THIS FIRST Quick Start Guide Fitting the optional transformer cards Changing the mains operating voltage Audio Connector wiring information Detailed Operational Guide Power on Typical audio connections...
  • Page 4: Safety Information; Read This First

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 4 Important Safety Information : Read this first! There are dangerous voltages present within the unit. Do not open the unit when powered and refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol,...
  • Page 5 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 5 This unit must be earthed. This unit should only be connected to a mains supply of the type marked on the rear of the appliance. Take special note of the required mains voltage.
  • Page 6: Quick Start Guide

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 6 Quick Start Guide After reading the important safety information, you may wish to ‘plug and go’. If, at any time, you are in doubt as to the correct operation of the unit, all operational points are covered in detail later in this manual, but as a quick start;...
  • Page 7 User Manual Page 7 ASIC FUNCTIONS The Dynamics Toolbox is a two channel audio compressor/limiter which can be linked for stereo operation or each channel can be run completely independently with separate compression modes, parallel compression blends, sidechain EQ and limiting for maximum versatility.
  • Page 8 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 8 IMITER Variable threshold fast limiter. Uses a separate side-chain to the compressor and so is unaffected by changes to the sidechain filters ensuring protection from overloads. ORK BLEND FUNCTION ‘New York Compression’ became a trade mark sound of many New...
  • Page 9: Fitting The Optional Transformer Cards

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 9 Fitting the optional output transformer cards There are dangerous voltages present within the unit. Do not open the unit when powered and ensure that the transformer cards are fitted by a technically competent person.
  • Page 10 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 10 Check that the connector pins of the transformer cards are straight undamaged. Insert each transformer card into corresponding sockets in the unit’s main motherboard taking great care to correctly align the six pins on each transformer connector with the corresponding pins in the motherboard sockets.
  • Page 11 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 11 INCORRECT positions of connector pins. NOTE the pin misalignment. Misalignment of pins can cause electrical damage of the unit. Ensure that the transformer cards are pushed fully in. Replace the top cover taking care to ensure that the safety earth...
  • Page 12: Changing The Mains Operating Voltage

    Changing the mains operating voltage The Dynamics Toolbox can be set internally to operate from either 115VAC or 230VC. (Note that selection to 230VAC is also suitable for operating the unit from a 240VAC supply.
  • Page 13 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 13 Remove the six posi-head screws from the top cover panel and carefully lift the top panel away from the unit. NOTE that the top panel has a safety earth cable connection. Rotate the top panel and lay beside the unit.
  • Page 14 Labels can be obtained from Safe Sound Audio on request. Once all of the above procedure has been completed, apply power to the unit of the correct voltage and check that the unit’s green power...
  • Page 15: Audio Connector Wiring Information

    If wiring your own, at the Dynamics Toolbox end use a standard ¼” 3-pole jack plug wired as follows; It is also possible to feed these inputs from an unbalanced source which may still occasionally be required when feeding the Dynamics Toolbox from some semi-pro sound cards.
  • Page 16 Occasionally you may experience problems with hum loops, especially where the ground system in the studio is less than ideal. The Dynamics Toolbox has ground lift switches which, when pressed, isolate the sleeve of the audio jack from ground (at the Dynamics Toolbox end) so removing a possible ground loop problem.
  • Page 17: Detailed Operational Guide

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 17 Detailed operational guide OWER ON With the IEC mains cord securely fitted to the rear of the unit, plug the Dynamics Toolbox into a suitable mains power source taking special care to ensure...
  • Page 18: Typical Audio Connections

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 18 YPICAL AUDIO CONNECTIONS The diagram below shows the application of the Dynamics Toolbox audio processor in two typical recording set-ups. RACKING Using Dynamics Toolbox as a two channel tracking processor typically to add compression and...
  • Page 19: Operating Levels

    It only affects 0VU reference level. As the Dynamics Toolbox can accept input levels up to +24dBu and output levels up to +27dBu it should be able to work comfortably within the normal operating levels of any existing recording set up.
  • Page 20: Using The Unit In Stereo Link Mode

    User Manual Page 20 SING DYNAMICS TOOLBOX IN STEREO LINK MODE The Dynamics Toolbox will also be commonly used during mixdown and mastering as a stereo effects unit. Pressing the link pushbutton transfers control of both channels to the channel 1 so that both left and right audio channels receive the same compression settings.
  • Page 21 The compressor threshold is the level point in dB above which the audio gain will be reduced. On the Dynamics Toolbox this can be varied from +18dBu to -30dBu. The ratio control varies the degree of gain reduction which is applied, from 1:1 (no effect) to ∞...
  • Page 22 Because compression is a gain reduction tool, it will tend to lower the maximum audio level through the audio chain. Make-up gain is used to replace this ‘lost’ level and in the case of the Dynamics Toolbox this is done by setting the gmu control knob to between 0dB and +20dB of make-up gain.
  • Page 23 However it is also possible to use the Dynamics Toolbox compressor as an effects device during mix down and mastering.
  • Page 24 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 24 Once you are happy with the result use the gain make-up control to restore the peak audio level back towards 0VU. Electric basses : many electric basses whether DI’d or recorded by mic’ing the bass amp loudspeaker can have a very uneven recorded sound.
  • Page 25: Accessing The Compressor's Side-Chain

    ’ CCESSING THE COMPRESSOR S SIDECHAIN The Dynamics Toolbox has a fully accessible side-chain. This allows additional processing of the audio (side-chain) signal which is sent to the compressor. There are three user accessible controls per channel;...
  • Page 26: New York' Parallel Blend Compression

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 26 The following example demonstrates the use of side-chain equalisation using the on board filters during the mixdown of a stereo master where it is proving to be difficult to ‘sit’ the vocal within a very dynamic bass and drums mix.
  • Page 27 We’ll use the Dynamic Toolbox in stereo submix mode as shown below. ORK STYLE COMPRESSION Send a stereo submix of your drums tracks to the Dynamics Toolbox for New York style parallel compression. It’s important to remember that ‘New York’ compression can be achieved using the compressor or limiter.
  • Page 28: The Limiter

    12 o’clock which is its calibrated 0dB gain position. Apply some audio material with strong transients to the input of the Dynamics Toolbox and adjust the level of the source until it is peaking well past the 0VU mark on the Dynamics Toolbox meter.
  • Page 29: Peakride Compressor Design Theory

    0dBFS. During tracking adjust the source gain (whatever is feeding the Dynamics Toolbox) so that the VU meter is peaking close to but not quite reaching 0VU. The limiter will then only engage for occasional and unexpected peaks beyond 0VU and your recording chain will be protected against digital overload.
  • Page 30 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 30 caused by ripple of the side-chain by the audio. Have a look at the diagram below; Notice that the pure tone audio signal is beginning to lose its smooth top and bottom curves and begins to resemble a triangular waveform.
  • Page 31: Dynamic Tracking Compressor Design Theory

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 31 A second problem with traditional fast attack compressor designs is caused by a misunderstanding between the desirability for fast attack, especially to provide adequate control of certain vocal styles, and the usual consequence that the whole vocal phrase then suffers from over compression.
  • Page 32 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 32 reduces the compressor attack time once the initial audio excursion over the compressor’s threshold has been dealt with. The compressor’s attack time continues to be boosted and then reduced through to whole period in which the audio signal’s level exceeds the compressor threshold as shown below.
  • Page 33: Limiter Design Theory

    Unfortunately the P1 limiter design is not capable of offering the variable threshold setting which we wanted to provide in the Dynamics Toolbox due to difficulty in getting its three sidechains to track when the threshold is varied.
  • Page 34 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 34 The outcome is a limiter with burst attack times as fast as 100us but with the excellent low levels of ripple distortion usually only found in much slower attack time devices. We’ve added a programme tracking release circuit which provides for very smooth recovery from limiting, adapting to the natural dynamics of the audio source.
  • Page 35 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 35 A limiter allows the maximum audio level to be fixed to a level set by the limiter threshold. So any audio which comes in above that threshold is gain reduced to be no higher than the threshold setting.
  • Page 36 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 36 So it’s much better to be safe than sorry, and after all we are Safe Sound Audio! The second issue is audio noise and distortion. Let’s assume you leave 12dB of spare headroom for unexpected vocal excesses. So you are setting the MAXIMUM recording level at -12dB during rehearsals.
  • Page 37: Answers To Some Common Questions

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 37 Answers to some common questions Why don’t 24 bit soundcards achieve their theoretical 144dB dynamic range in practice? The highest audio signal level which most 24 bit A/D chips can handle is around +7dBu limited by the +5V supply voltage which these chips are designed to run from (not to be confused with the soundcard’s maximum input level which is...
  • Page 38: Technical Specification

    Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 38 Technical Specification YNAMICS OOLBOX UDIO ROCESSOR Size : 19” wide by 2RU (3.5”) high by 255mm (10”) deep (excluding cable connectors) Weight : 4kg (9lbs) Power requirements : AC power to the voltage indicated on the rear panel ±10%, 50/60 Hz.
  • Page 39 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 39 AXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL Maximum Output Level (post limiter) : > +27dBu Output Gain (post limiter) : ±15dB, with centre detented line-up position UPUT IMPEDANCE Line Output : 50 ohms OMPRESSOR Threshold range : +18dBu to -30dBu...
  • Page 40 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 40 (‘N ’ LEND UNCTION COMPRESSION Blends output signal between unprocessed (dry) and processed (wet) audio ETERING Switchable between pre and post output gain control, and to gain reduction. 0VU switchable between +6dBu and +18dBu...
  • Page 41: Fault Finding

    Safe Sound Audio for assistance. Problem : I have read the user manual but I am still unsure which type of cable to connect the Dynamics Toolbox to my recording device. Advice : First you need to establish whether your recording device uses unbalanced or balanced audio connections.
  • Page 42 There is a possibility of earth loops if both ends of the balanced cable screen are connected to ground through different pieces of equipment. Use the ground lift switches on the Dynamics Toolbox to isolate the cable screens from ground. Never disconnect the Dynamics Toolbox mains plug earth connection in an attempt to solve a hum loop problem.
  • Page 43: Customer Care

    If you still cannot get the unit to function as you expect then contact Safe Sound Audio for advice and if necessary we will issue a Returns Authorisation Number prior to you returning the unit to us for servicing.
  • Page 44 Audio or its authorised representative. • Has been connected to an incorrect source of mains power. • Has been damaged due to liquid spillage. Safe Sound Audio shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages resulting from the use of this product.
  • Page 45: How To Contact Us

    LS18 4AG Callers strictly by appointment By telephone : +44 (0)7866 574 522 By e-mail : info@safesoundaudio.com On the web : www.safesoundaudio.com Safe Sound Audio reserves the right to make changes and improvements to the design of this product without notice.
  • Page 46 Dynamics Toolbox Processor User Manual Page 46 Notes © Safe Sound Audio 2007...

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