Operational Manual
Knobs, Buttons and Flashy Lights
Adjusting this will vary the way the compressor handles transient sounds.
Where control of unruly
transients is required, a 
faster attack will clamp
down on peaks. However, if larger amounts of gain reduction are applied, unnecessarily fast attack times may affect high frequency content.
The Peak Limiter ’s response is fast attack, fast release, and very hard. It has two functions: Firstly, as a protective device it can remove the dangerous peaks that can result in digital clipping. Secondly, it can be used to increase the average signal level (as your ear detects volume by averaging over time) and increase the perceived loudness of your mix within the confines of a recording medium: Great if you want your CDs to sound as loud as the pros’.
Gain R eduction Metering – Two independent meters show gain reduction at the compression and limiting stages, so you immediately know where any adjustments need to be made.
As a rough guide, 3dB of
reduction with a fairly 
high ratio should be pretty
inaudible. If you’re looking for a more general squashing, values of up to 6dB with a lower ration (1.5 or 2) should give some good results. However, be aware that for the limiter and fast attack settings of the compressor, reduction may occur faster than the meters can show it, so take this into account and trust your ears!
!Be particularly careful of peak limiting: reduction in excess of 6dB may well cause adverse effects such as chewing up
your top end.
MIX MASTER / MONITOR
Section
MIX MASTER – Is the final gain control before the mix leaves the unit, or enters the digital card. This is useful as a final adjustment after any gain changes brought about by dynamics and inserts.
‘Ext In’ Switch – Switches the external input into the monitor path. Use this to monitor playback from your master recorder, or perhaps to check your mix against reference material.
MONITOR Volume – Say no more.
Monitor Mono Switch – allows you to check phase coherence, etc. by summing the monitor outputs in mono.
© Audient v1.0 10/2004 | 17 |
