Behringer MDX2200 manual What are audio dynamics?, Dynamic range capabilities of various devices

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COMPOSER PRO MDX2200

also cause uncontrolled currents and voltages. The resulting sound of the various frequencies is heard as noise. Even the best possible tape biasing can “only” provide signal-to-noise ratios of about 70 dB, which is not acceptable today since the demands of listeners have increased. Due to the laws of physics, improving the design of the magnetic carrier is impossible using conventional means.

3.2 What are audio dynamics?

A remarkable feature of the human ear is that it can detect the most wide ranging amplitude changes - from the slightest whisper to the deafening roar of a jet-plane. If one tried to record or reproduce this wide spectrum of sound with the help of amplifiers, cassette recorders, records or even digital recorders (CD, DAT etc.), one would immediately be restricted by the physical limitations of electronic and acoustic sound reproduction technology.

The usable dynamic range of electro-acoustic equipment is limited as much at the low end as at the high end. The thermal noise of the electrons in the components results in an audible basic noise floor and thus repre- sents the bottom limit of the transmission range. The upper limit is determined by the levels of the internal operating voltages; if they are exceeded, audible signal distortion is the result. Although in theory, the usable dynamic range sits between these two limits, it is considerably smaller in practice, since a certain reserve must be maintained to avoid distortion of the audio signal if sudden level peaks occur. Technically speaking, we refer to this reserve as “headroom” - usually this is about 10 - 20 dB. A reduction of the operating level would allow for greater headroom, i.e. the risk of signal distortion due to level peaks would be reduced. However, at the same time, the basic noise floor of the program material would be increased considerably.

P/dB

 

 

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

80

MicrophoneAmplifier

 

 

 

 

60

PowerAmplifier

TapeRecorder

 

 

40

Radio

Cassette Recorder

Ear

Fig. 3.1: The dynamic range capabilities of various devices

It is therefore useful to keep the operating level as high as possible without risking signal distortion in order to achieve optimum transmission quality.

It is possible to further improve the transmission quality by constantly monitoring the program material with the aid of a volume fader, which manually levels the material. During low passages the gain is increased, during loud passages the gain is reduced. Of course it is fairly obvious that this kind of manual control is rather restrictive; it is difficult to detect signal peaks and it is almost impossible to level them out. Manual control is simply not fast enough to be satisfactory.

3. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

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Contents Composer PRO Detailed Safety Instructions Safety InstructionsForeword Composer PRO Table of Contents Installation Introduction Design concept Before you beginExpander/gate section Control ElementsControl elements of the compressor section Compressor sectionControl elements of the peak limiter section Peak limiter sectionRear panel control elements of the Composer PRO Technical BackgroundNoise as a physical phenomenon Dynamic range capabilities of various devices What are audio dynamics?Expanders/noise-gates Compressors/limitersCompression/levelling/limiting/clipping ApplicationsIRC curve characteristic of the Expander Tab .1 Initial settings for the expander/gate section Compressor section IKA characteristic of the compressor section Peak limiter section Special Applications Tab .3 Initial settings for the peak limiter sectionComposer PRO as a protective device Protection of a system with a passive crossover Composer PRO in broadcastExternal Side Chain Applications Using an equalizer in the side chain pathSide chain function Anticipated compression Tab .1 Initial settings for the De-Esser functionsVoice-over compression ducking InstallationTriggering additional sounds from a rhythm track Rack mountingBalanced use of stereo 1/4 jack plugs Selecting the operating levelAudio Input SpecificationsFunction Switches SC Extern § 1 Warranty CARD/ONLINE Registration Warranty
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