dbx Pro user manual Introduction, What is QUANTUM?

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Introduction

QUANTUM

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the dbx QUANTUM Digital Mastering Processor! For over 25 years, dbx has been the industry leader in dynamics processing. With the introduction of the QUANTUM, we apply our superior dynamics processing technology to the digital mastering process.

This manual will be your guide to understanding the full functionality of the powerful QUAN- TUM, read it carefully. After you have become familiar with the unit, we encourage you to experiment and find creative ways that the QUANTUM can help you make a better sounding mix.

1.1 What is QUANTUM?

The dbx QUANTUM is the first mastering processor that offers a sampling rate of up to 96kHz,

atrue 48-bit digital signal path with up to 24-bit digital output. Below are some of QUANTUM’s features:

•4 Band Stereo Gating, Compression and Limiting

•5 Band Parametric EQ with either an adaptive Q or a constant Q response

•Hi and Low shelves w/switchable slopes 3, 4.5, 6, 9, and 12 dB/octave

•EQ can be positioned pre dynamics, or post dynamics

•5 Band Parametric Side Chain EQ with either an adaptive Q or a constant Q response

•Dual Mono or True Stereo Operation with True RMS Power Summing™

•TYPE IV™ Conversion System with TSE™ Tape Saturation Emulation

•Normalizer – flexible gain optimization

•Stereo adjust – increased control of stereo imaging

•Dither outputs to 8,16, 20, or 24 bits, and noise shaping

•Sample rate conversion

•Sync input/output using dbx’s own proprietary clock chips for extremely low jitter sync

With the dbx TYPE IV™ Conversion System, your signal retains its analog warmth and charac- ter, with the clarity demanded by today’s digital standards. Our patent-pending TSE™ Tape Saturation Emulation processing makes it easy.

The discussion of the binary system, sample rate frequencies, and bit rates, would easily take up an entire semester of college. For the sake of brevity, more is better. Theoretically 96kHz/48- bit resolution is beyond the limits our ears can perceive. The QUANTUM’s 96kHz A/D-D/A’s result in improved frequency response. The QUANTUM’s 48-bit path gives you the “hard” and “fast” room required for a true 24-bit output. This allows the use of only 1 stage of dither at the output, where it belongs.

The engineers at dbx designed the QUANTUM to be the Rosetta Stone of digital formats, clocks, and bit rates. Whatever permutation of AES/EBU or S/PDIF is brought to you, the QUANTUM will be able to understand it and output whatever format you need.

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QUANTUM User Manual

 

 

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Contents Quantum Important Safety Instructions Declaration Conformity Table of Contents QuantumFigure Index Page Intro What is QUANTUM? IntroductionWarranty Introduction What is QUANTUM?Service Contact Info Quantum Section Front Panel Getting StartedRear Panel Connections Getting Started Section Front Panel Signal Path Quantum WizardQuantum is a Mastering Processor that has many features Getting Started Section Mastering and the QuantumQuantum Navigation Navigation Multiband CompressorNavigating the Broadband Compressor Navigation Section Broadband CompressorNavigating the Multiband Gate Multiband GateNavigating the Broadband Gate Navigation Section Broadband GateNavigating the Multiband Limiter Multiband LimiterNavigating theBroadband Limiter Navigation Section Broadband LimiterNavigating the Multiband EQ/XOver EQ/XOverNavigating the Broadband EQ/SEQ Navigation Section EQ/SEQNavigating Norm/Output Norm/OutputNavigating Other Navigation Section OtherNavigating Utility UtilitySection Software Operations FX ChainsSoftware Operations Section FX Chains Chain Type Stereo BroadbandChain Type Mono Mono Input CH1 or CH2Software Operations Section Programs/Setups Program Pop MasterSaving a Setup SectionSoftware Operations Section Saving a Setup Saving a ProgramReplace Old Store NewBypass Function MetersAnalog Meters TSE Level MetersSoftware Operations Section Meters Digital MetersMeter Options CompressorMonitor Outputs LimiterGate / Expander De-EsserDetailed Detailed Parameters Multiband CompressionDetailed Parameters Section Multiband Compression Broadband Compression Detailed Parameters Section Broadband Compression Ratio 11.0 to 115 per band or global Attack 0.1 to 200 m Sec per band or globalRelease 360 to 5 dB / Sec per band or global Max ATT 0 to Inf. dB per band or globalDetailed Parameters Section Broadband Gate Multiband LimitingBroadband Limiting Attack .01 to 200 m Sec per band or globalLimiter On/Off Type PkStop+/RMSDetailed Parameters Section Broadband Limiting EQ On/OffPOS Pre/Post Type Const Q / Adapt QXOver Detailed Parameters Section SEQ Schain EQ On/OffSEQ1 FC 20.0 Hz to 20.0 kHz SEQ2, 3, 4 FC 20.0 Hz to 20.0 kHzStereo Adjust TypeDe-Esser Detailed Parameters Section Ambience13 TCM Normalization OutputDither Out All or Digital Detailed Parameters Section OutputShaping S1 or S2 Page Utilities Utilities Input OutputMidi CC Map Utilities Section OutputDigital Input Controls Setup Sysex Data Midi ChannelsMidi Program Changes Sysex DumpMisc Utilities Section Setup Sysex DataA/D Calibrate Page Guide Application Guide Analog MasteringHardware SoftwareApplication Guide Section Digital Mastering DAW to DAT Application Guide Section Analog Tracking 586Digital Tracking Application Guide Section Analog Mixing Digital Mixing Application Guide Section Analog to Digital Converter Sample Rate Converter QUANTUMAppendix Hard & Soft Resets Change Default Startup ProgramAppendix a Miscellaneous Information Front Panel LockoutBy Roger Johnson TypeIV White Paper Appendix BAppendix B TypeIV White Paper Converted Level vs. Input LevelType Amplitude Time Clip Level High-Frequency Information Completely Lost Appendix C Midi Clock Info Clock ModesQuantum Sync Input Fig. C.1Appendix C Miscellaneous Clock Info Fig. C.2Procedures Request One Setup 02hReceive One Setup 43h Sysex Definitions Appendix DAppendix D Sysex Definitions Reset Device 21h Sysex Setup Dump SampleProcedure Setup Dump Version Setup Type and Setup NumberAppendix E Midi CC Tables Midi CC MultiBand ChainsMidi CC Tables Appendix E Midi CC MultiBand Chains Midi CC Stereo Non-MultiBandMidi CC Dual Mono Chains Midi CC Stereo Non-MultibandMidi CC Tables Appendix E Midi CC Dual Mono Chains Appendix F Factory Presets Factory ProgramsMono Factory SetupsStereo Appendix G Specifications SpecificationsAppendix H Appendix H Quantum Harman International Company
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