BASIC SETUP & APPLIC ATIONS
Attack knob clockwise. You should notice that the beginning 'transient' of your snare sound is starting to jump out of the speakers and slap you in the face. This becomes even more noticeable when using digital reverberation on the snare.
Now you can adjust the Gate on the snare to stop those other drums from 'bleeding' through the snare mic: Begin by adjusting the Attack time of the Gate to .01(10 microseconds) by turning the Gate Attack control knob fully counter-clockwise. Turn the Gate Release knob to about the middle position, set the Gate Range to 60dB (Range Button pushed-in), adjust the Gate Threshold slowly clockwise until you begin to hear those other drums disappearing. Too high of a Threshold setting might disrupt the snare drum's natural sound, a Threshold setting that is too low will let the sound of the other drums open the Gate. You need to adjust the Gate Threshold and Release to suit your drumming taste.
This simple application applies to any percussive instrument, of
course. Experiment...
Limiting.
Limiting is defined as compressing with a Ratio of infinity to one. This setting acts like an imaginary ceiling for the level of a signal. On your ACP-88, Limiting occurs when the Ratio knob is fully clockwise. At this point, the Threshold knob essentially becomes the 'ceiling' knob for the channel. You will most likely want a virtually instantaneous Attack time while Limiting. To achieve this: Make sure the Auto button is out, Turn the compressors Attack time knob fully counter- clockwise and set the compressor's Release time for the most natural sounding decay for whatever input signal you are using.
(Warning: Improper settings of the Release time have been known to cause pumping, breathing and coughing in limiters. Consult your ears when fine tuning.)
