dbx Pro 262 Operating Notes, Using the THRESHOLD Control, Using the COMPRESSION RATIO Control

Operating Notes

is powered.

Operating Notes

Caution: Never remove the cover. There are no user-serviceable parts inside, and you run the risk of an electric shock.

3.Make balanced or unbalanced connections via 1/4” TRS jacks according to your requirements.

4.Check the line voltage: The unit is shipped for either 100-120V or 230V, 50/60 Hz operation (ie: not both). Refer to the unit’s rear panel AC power con- nector to verify that the voltage is correct for your area. Securely connect the AC power cord to the unit and mains power.

Using the THRESHOLD Control

In Hard Knee mode (OverEasy® switch out), THRESHOLD sets a reference level above which input signals will be processed by the 262’s gain change cir- cuitry in the manner defined by the setting of the RATIO control. Input signals which fall below this level will pass through the 262 unprocessed (except for fixed gain changes directed by the OUTPUT GAIN control).

In OverEasy® Mode (OverEasy® switch depressed), signals begin to gradually activate the 262’s gain change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD refer- ence level and do not get fully processed in the manner defined by the RATIO control until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference level. In OverEasy® mode there is no distinct point at which processing begins, and the THRESHOLD setting corresponds to a point on the input/output trans- fer curve midway between the onset of processing and that point at which the transfer curve corresponds to the setting of the RATIO control. Figure 1 on page 4 shows the OverEasy® compression curves and how they correlate with the THRESHOLD LEDs. Similarly, Figure 2 on the same page illustrates the THRESHOLD LED operation for the Hard Knee mode.

Using the COMPRESSION RATIO Control

When an input signal is above the THRESHOLD reference level, the setting of this control determines the number of decibels by which the input signal must change in level to produce a 1 dB increase in the signal level at the output of the 262. A setting of 2:1 indicates an input:output ratio wherein a 2 dB increase in signal (above threshold) will produce a 1 dB increase in output signal. A set- ting of °:1 indicates that an infinite increase in input level would be required to raise the output level by 1 dB. In other words, the output level stays constant when the input signal rises above threshold.

The 262’s RATIO control covers the entire range from 1:1 to °:1 and, in addi- tion, goes to Infinity+™ (negative) ratios. At a setting of -1:1, the above thresh- old input signal must increase by 1 dB in level to decrease the signal at the out- put of the 262 by 1 dB. See Figure 3 below. The control curve of the RATIO potentiometer has been designed to provide total operator control, with scale expansion at the subtle, lower ratios for easy, repeatable settings.

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