Crown 137769-3 Ambient Leveler, Expansion Ratio, Max Added Gain, On/Off Release Time, Sense Input

5 Advanced Operation

5.3.8 Ambient Leveler

Starting in the Output Path window, you can access the Ambient Leveler window (Figure 5.30) by clicking on its icon (shown above).

The Ambient Leveler expands the output channel gain to compensate for a sensed ambient level. The ambient level can be sensed from any of the six- teen Input Processing Sections, or the computed ambient level from one of the 32 auto-mix groups. This feature allows the DBC Network Bridge to maintain optimum signal to noise and intelligibility in environments with varying background noise.

4. Expansion Ratio

Determines how much the gain of the output channel will increase for every increase in the ambient signal level above the Threshold setting. A 4:1 Expansion Ratio setting will raise the output gain 4 dB for every 1 dB that the ambient signal increases. Control range is from 0.1:1 to 5:1.

5. Max Added Gain

Sets the maximum increase in gain through the Ambient Leveler. Control range is from 0 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

6. Attack Time

Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to expand its gain by 20dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.

DBC Network Bridge

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The software graphically displays the gain function, with line meters under- neath the graph displaying the Input Ambient Sense level (green) and the Output Signal Level (blue).

Seven parameters control this feature:

1. On/Off

7. Release Time

Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to compress its gain by 20 dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.

8. Program Level Dependent Mode

Allows the Ambient-Leveler expansion to be inhibited when the actual out-

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Turns this feature on or off.

2. Sense Input

Determines the source for the ambient level that will do the adjustment.

3. Sense Threshold

Sets a level for the ambient sensor input threshold. The Ambient-Leveler expansion will be inhibited for input levels below this threshold. This action allows the Ambient-Leveler to suspend gain changes when the ambient level is low and, along with Max Added Gain, prevent excessive system gain. Control range is from –80 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

put Program level is above a prescribed level. This mode prevents program material 'feed-through' from artificially increasing the apparent ambient level.

9. Program Level Threshold

Sets the output program level threshold above which Ambient Leveling will be inhibited when in Program Level Dependent mode. Control range is from –80 to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

10. Sense Delay

Sets the delay after the output program level falls below the Program Level Threshold before the Ambient Leveling begins. Control range is 0 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second increments.

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Figure 5.30 Ambient Leveler Window

page 66 Operation Manual