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AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400

1. INTRODUCTION

In purchasing the new AUTOCOM PRO Model MDX1400, you have acquired an extremely efficient and

universal dynamics processor, which combines the most commonly used dynamic functions within a compact

stereo unit: every channel has its own independent Compressor/Limiter, an Expander/Gate and a Dynamic

Enhancer. The precision and flexibility of the functions are the main outstanding features of this high end unit.

Advanced BEHRINGER Technology

Compared to its predecessors, the AUTOCOM PRO offers several advanced features such as the extended

LED meters, balanced inputs and outputs, a couple function for the two channels and the sidechain filter.

Additionally, we have succeeded in refining the audio properties as well as the circuit topology.
For the first time, the AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400 uses SMD technology (Surface Mounted Device). These

sub-miniature components known from aerospace technology allow for an extreme packing density, plus

improve the unit’s reliability. Additionally, the unit is manufactured under ISO9000 certified management

system.

1.1 The Design Concept

The philosophy behind BEHRINGER products guarantees a no-compromise circuit design and employs the

best choice of components. The operational amplifiers NJM4580 which are used in the AUTOCOM PRO, are

exceptional. They boast extreme linearity and very low distortion characteristics. The most important aspect

of  the  AUTOCOM  PRO  design  is  a  radical  VCA  implementation  which  results  in  outstanding  technical

specification and excellent performance. To complement this design the choice of components includes high

precision resistors and capacitors, detent potentiometers and several other stringently selected elements.
Despite the extremely complex internal circuitry, the unit has a control surface which is clearly laid out and

easy to understand. The internal design of the unit, together with its external sidechain path, gives the user all

the creative flexibility when processing sound.

IKA (Interactive Knee Adaptation) Compressor

Our proven IKA (Interactive Knee Adaptation) circuit successfully combines the concept of a “hard knee”

compressor with the characteristics of a “soft knee” approach. This program-dependent regulation scheme

forms the prerequisite both for “inaudible” and musical program compression and for creative and highly

effective dynamics processing.
The chosen value for the compression-ratio is being reached after the signal’s level is higher then 10 dB above

the treshold point. This stands for an extremely smooth impact of the compression. Thereby a convincingly

dense audiomaterial can be achieved: Even at extreme levels of compression or while processing critical

audiodata (e. g. classical music), your material stays musical, transparent and free from breathing or pump-

like effects in a wide range. With its IKA circuit the AUTOCOM PRO is capable of delivering outstanding

musical results both in studio and live PA applications.
Additionally, the AUTOCOM PRO’s sidechain filter allows for limiting the influence low-frequency signal

portions usually have on the control logic, so that the compression ratio is mainly determined by those

frequencies that are essential to the loudness perceived by the listener – the midrange frequencies.

IRC (Interactive Ratio Control) Expander

A basic problem in the use of a compressor is the fact that the noise floor is highly amplified during quiet

sections  or  when  there  are  music  pauses.  This  effect  is  exaggerated  when  the  compression  ratio  is

inappropriate. In order to eliminate this problem, one would normally use an additional expander or gate. The

noise is then simply faded out in the quiet sections. However, simple expanders, even when they are used

correctly, drastically cut signals below the preset threshold. This effect becomes more noticeable during the

transition from signal to noise floor. This can mean, that the start or end of words can be cut on a vocal track.
A newly developed IRC (Interactive Ratio Control) Expander has been integrated into the AUTOCOM PRO the

ratio of which, is automatically adjusted, depending on the program material. The result is an expander which

is less critical of adjustment and which is more tolerant in the presence of those signals which appear slightly

above the noise floor. Because of its new IRC circuit design, the BEHRINGER AUTOCOM PROs Expander/

1. INTRODUCTION

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Summary of Contents for Autocom Pro MDX1400

Page 1: ...D AUTOCOM PRO MDX1400 www behringer com ENGLISH User s Manual Version 1 4 June 2001 Downloaded from www Manualslib com manuals search engine...

Page 2: ...rs that produce heat Power Source The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance Grounding or Polarization P...

Page 3: ...portant member of the BEHRINGER family With your highly competent suggestions for new products you ve greatly contributed to shaping our company and making it successful In return we guarantee you unc...

Page 4: ...lows for inaudible elimination of disturbing noise signals s Dynamic Enhancer for compression dependent equalization s Extremely low noise operational amplifiers and high grade VCA s s High quality de...

Page 5: ...uplication 17 4 1 1 The AUTOCOM PRO In Digital RecordingAnd Sampling 18 4 1 2 TheAUTOCOM PRO In Mastering 18 4 2 TheAUTOCOM PROAs AProtective Device 18 4 2 1 Protection Of ASystem With A Passive Cross...

Page 6: ...ncept of a hard knee compressor with the characteristics of a soft knee approach This program dependent regulation scheme forms the prerequisite both for inaudible and musical program compression and...

Page 7: ...packaging and its contents for any signs of physical damage which may have occurred during transit If the unit is damaged please do not return it to BEHRINGER but notify your dealer and the shipping...

Page 8: ...f channel 1 take over the functions of channel 2 Should you wish to use the SC EXT function in stereo mode then be sure that both SC RETURN jacks are connected to the external control signal and that...

Page 9: ...ttack and release controls will function 10 The OUTPUT control allows for the increase or decrease of the output signal by a maximum of 20 dB Thus a level loss due to the compression or limiting proce...

Page 10: ...t between Off and 6 Dynamic enhancement allows you to replenish any high frequencies lost through the compression process for absolutely natural sounding dynamics control Enhancement is only added whe...

Page 11: ...ression Levelling Limiting Clipping Now that the functions of the individual sections have been clearly explained we would like to acquaint you with more terms and relationships of the dynamics proces...

Page 12: ...nt on the program material The response characteristics of conventional expanders tend to cut into the signal abruptly and the result of this is unacceptable most of the time Gain changes become audib...

Page 13: ...Now turn the control clockwise until all unwanted noise is removed and only the sound of the desired instrument can be heard To adapt the unit to the program material properly you can additionally cho...

Page 14: ...fined threshold The reverberation can be controlled by using the THRESHOLD control and the RELEASE switch The decay characteristics of the instrument can be controlled using the release switch so that...

Page 15: ...h IN SC EXT switch OUT SC MON switch OUT INTERACTIVE switch IN SC FILTER switch OUT THRESHOLD control 20 dB RATIO control 3 1 AUTO switch IN OUTPUT control 0 dB Tab 3 2 Initial settings for the compre...

Page 16: ...ame effect is experienced when processing reverberated or ambient sounds The solution commonly used to this basic problem is either to reduce the compression ratio or to slow down the attack time so t...

Page 17: ...one should always take care to utilize the full dynamic range of the tape recorder DAT recorder etc Principally it is possible to control the recording level by riding faders which means with low lev...

Page 18: ...AT recorder Now increase the recording level of the recorder back to unity The result is a clearly louder recording without any loss of sound 4 2 The AUTOCOM PRO As A Protective Device Sound system di...

Page 19: ...the loudspeaker In some units the crossover frequencies in the crossover unit are further changed during high signal levels to achieve a loudness contour suited to the human hearing But in many cases...

Page 20: ...ive amount of high frequency information within the program material as in a normal compressor the VCA is activated and the overall level is reduced As this type of compression affects the whole frequ...

Page 21: ...ick actions Generally it can be said that relatively high threshold settings prevent the overall sound from being impaired and lead to the compression of solo instruments or very loud sounds 5 2 4 Emp...

Page 22: ...requencies are equally affected we term this white noise It is fairly obvious that electronics cannot function without components Even if special low noise components are used a certain degree of basi...

Page 23: ...control is simply not fast enough to be satisfactory t P dB 20 0 20 40 60 80 Clipping Headroom Operating level Effective SNR Noise floor Fig 6 2 The interactive relationship between the operating lev...

Page 24: ...fect noise will be masked and thus becomes inaudible as soon as considerably louder sound signals in the same frequency band are added Nevertheless the further the level that the desired signal decrea...

Page 25: ...ty Please ensure that only qualified persons install and operate the AUTOCOM PRO During installation and operation the user must have sufficient electrical contact to earth Electro static charges migh...

Page 26: ...z 0 0 5 dB Frequency Response 0 35 Hz to 200 kHz 0 3 dB Noise 95 dBu unweighted 22 Hz to 22 kHz THD 0 008 typ 4 dBu 1 kHz Gain 1 0 04 typ 20 dBu 1 kHz Gain 1 IMD 0 01 typ SMPTE Crosstalk 100 dB 22 Hz...

Page 27: ...ement LED display 1 2 4 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 dB Input Output Level 12 element LED display 30 24 18 12 6 0 3 6 9 12 18 dB Expander Gate Threshold 2 LEDs for under and above Function switch LED indi...

Page 28: ...RINGER 2 If the product needs to be modified or adapted in order to comply with applicable technical or safety standards on a na tional or local level in any country which is not the country for which...

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