Rane DC22S Instruction Manual page 7

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
A PRIMER
Let's start with what a compressor actually does. No matter how
you cut it, this is an automatic volume control. It is a hand on
a knob, turning the volume down and turning it up again. The
hand is really quick and really accurate, but it's just turning a
volume control.
When the input signal reaches a level set by the COMPRES-
SOR THRESHOLD control, the compressor begins turning
down the signal by an amount determined by the RATIO con-
trol. The DC22S, like most compressors, operates by making the
loud signals quieter, but does not make the quiet parts louder.
However, by keeping the loud signals under control, the entire
system may be turned up when necessary to make the quiet parts
louder.
PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
Before proceeding, it's a good idea to turn the control knobs to
the following positions:
1. GATE THRESHOLD control .....fully counterclockwise
2. COMPRESSOR THRESHOLD ...fully clockwise
3. COMPRESSOR RATIO ..............fully counterclockwise
4. BYPASS switches .....................ACTIVE (out)
5. OUTPUT LEVEL ........................0 dB
This renders the DC22S with no compression, allowing sig-
nal through at unity gain. No change occurs with the BYPASS
switch in or out.
INPUT LEVEL
Before making any Threshold adjustments, set the ouput level of
the previous device so the +4 dBu LED lights occasionally, and
the OL LED does not light. Be aware that changes to the Input
Level will affect the Thresholds.
GATE THRESHOLD
The threshold is the point at which gain adjustment begins. When
the input signal is below the threshold, the DC22S attenuates
the signal at a 2:1 ratio, making the quiet parts twice as quiet.
When the signal is above the Gate Threshold, the Gate is open,
like a straight wire.
AUDIO PRECISION amp AMPL(dBr) vs AMPL(dBu)
0
-10
O
-20
U
T
-30
P
U
-40
T
-50
d
B -60
u
-70
-80
-80 -70 -60 -50
Figure 1. With a fixed Ratio set to 2:1, this graph shows gain reduction
below various Gate Thresholds at -20 dBu, -30 dBu, -40 dBu, etc.
Manual-4
09 AUG 101 14:51:28
-40 -30 -20 -10
INPUT (dBu)
COMPRESSOR THRESHOLD
The threshold is the point at which gain adjustment begins. When
the input signal is below the threshold, the Compressor section
acts like a straight wire. When the signal is loud enough to cross
the Compressor Threshold, the compressor is active and turns
the volume down. Various Threshold points are illustrated in
Figure 1. How much it gets turned down is determined by the
RATIO control ( Figure 1 shows a Ratio set at 2:1).
RATIO
AUDIO PRECISION
20
10
O
0
U
T
-10
P
U -20
T
-30
d
B -40
u
-50
-60
-60 -50
Figure 2. With the Ratio set to ∞, the DC22S acts as a Limiter. This
graph shows Limiter gain reduction above various Compressor
Thresholds at 10 dBu, 0 dBu, -10 dBu, etc.
Once the Threshold is exceeded, the increase in output compared
to the input signal increase depends on the RATIO setting. An
ordinary preamp set for unity gain or a straight wire has a ratio
of 1:1, that is, the output level tracks the input level perfectly. A 2
dB change at the input produces a 2 dB change at the output.
For a 10:1 Ratio, a 10 dB blast at the input would rise only
1 dB at the output – heavy compression. Kinder, gentler ratios
are in the 2:1 to 3:1 range. Limiting, with no increase in signal
above the Threshold, occurs at ∞:1. Figure 3 illustrates various
Ratios.
AUDIO PRECISION
20
10
O
U
0
T
P
-10
U
T
-20
d
-30
B
u
-40
-50
-60
0
-60 -50
FIgure 3. Threshold at -40 dBu. Ratios of 1:1, 1.2:1, 1.5:1, etc.
Vertical axis = output level, horizontal axis = input level.
AMPL(dBr) VS AMPL(dBu)
-40 -30 -20 -10
INPUT (dBu)
AMPL(dBr) vs AMPL(dBu)
-40 -30 -20 -10
INPUT (dBu)
09 AUG 101 14:34:57
10
0
-10
-20
-30
-40
0 10 20
09 AUG 101 14:45:47
1:1
1.2:1
1.5:1
2:1
3:1
6:1
∞:1
0 10 20