11—Input and Track Channel Tools

Roland VS-2480 Owner’s Manual www.rolandus.com 157

The DYN Screen

Each VS-2480 input and track channel has its own dynamics processor that can act as a
compressor, expander or a combination expander/compressor for the channel’s signal.

What is Dynamics Processing?

A dynamics processor—as its name suggests—shapes a signal by responding to
changes in its level. It can help you control extreme fluctuations in volume or
exaggerate them by reducing portions of the signal’s level, or “gain.”

The Basic Mechanics of Dynamics Processing

All dynamics processors respond to the same fundamental information:
A threshold level setting tells the processor to start working when the channel’s
signal is at a particular level.
An attack setting tells the processor how quickly it should respond when the signal
hits the threshold level.
A ratio setting tells the processor how much to change the signal’s level.
A release setting tells the processor when to stop changing the signal’s level.
The VS-2480 offers three dynamics processors on the DYN screen. Here’s a description
of each one and how it works.

What’s a Compressor?

A compressor is a device that reduces the difference between the loudest part of a
recording and the softest—what it compresses is the signal’s dynamic range. This can
smooth out volume peaks and can make the signal more manageable.
When a signal’s level exceeds the threshold setting, the compressor lowers the signal’s
gain—the ratio setting determines by just how much. The attack time sets how quickly
the compressor starts reducing the signal’s level after it crosses the threshold, and the
release time determines how long the compressor keeps working before letting the
signal return to its un-processed level.
Compression can also add its own sound to a signal, making it seem tighter and more
professional, since compressors are used so widely on commercial recordings.
1.
3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8.
2.
9.
10.
11.
Currently selected
type of dynamics
processor
To learn about
the CH EDIT
DYN screen’s
RESET button,
see Page 169.
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