Harman 266xs Overeasy Switch, Compressor Threshold Control and LEDs BELOW/OVEREASY/ABOVE

Section 2 Getting Started

dbx 266xs

OVEREASY® Switch

Depress this switch to select the OverEasy® compression characteristic. The amber THRESHOLD LED turns on when the signal is in the OverEasy region. When the switch is out, the 266xs operates as a hard-knee compressor, and the amber LED does not light.

Compressor THRESHOLD Control and LEDs (BELOW/OVEREASY/ABOVE)

Adjust this control to set the threshold of compression from - 40dB to +20dB. In hard-knee mode, the threshold of compression is defined as the point above which the output level no longer changes on a 1:1 basis with changes in the input level.

In OverEasy mode the threshold of compression is defined as the middle of the OverEasy threshold region, that is, “half-way” into compression.

The three THRESHOLD LEDs indicate the relationship of the input signal level to the threshold of compression. The green LED lights when the signal is BELOW threshold, the red LED lights when the signal is above threshold, and the yellow LED lights when the OVEREASY switch is depressed and the input signal is in the OVEREASY range.

The 266xs OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression, without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the 266xs internal gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully pro- cessed by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings.

In hard-knee mode, the 266xs can provide abrupt compression effects as well as hard-limiting applications. Note that when in hard knee mode the amber LED will not light as the input signal passes across the threshold. The signal is either being compressed (over threshold) or it is not being compressed (under threshold).

NOTE: Even though no input signal is being applied, it is normal for the LEDs to flicker on when the power is applied or removed.

Compressor RATIO Control

Adjust this control to set the amount of compression applied to the input signal. Clockwise rotation of this control increases the compression ratio from 1:1 (no compression) up to ∞:1 (where the compressor can be considered to be a peak limiter, especially with faster ATTACK settings).

When an input is above the THRESHOLD setting reference level, the RATIO setting determines the number of decibels by which the input signal must increase in level to produce a 1dB increase in the signal level at the output of the 266xs. A setting of 2:1 indicates an input/ output ratio wherein a 2dB increase in signal (above threshold) will produce a 1dB increase in output signal. A setting of ∞:1 indicates that an infinite increase in input level would be required to raise the output level by 1dB.

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