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INTELLIGATE XR2000
As well as this, an extremely quick attack time is necessary for very fast transients, so that the expander does
not loose the initial transients and affect the sound.
3.4.2 Reducing leakage in stage mics
The INTELLIGATE has many uses especially in live-work, on stage and in multi-miking situations: a well set up
expander can effectively suppress background noise, compressor type pumping noise and microphone leakage
etc. without producing any undesirable side effects.
Expanders are commonly used for processing vocals. When specifically used with a compressor, the distance
and position of the mic in relation to the singer is very critical: the further the distance, the more sensitive the
mic is to background noise. Use the Expander to eliminate background noise inaudibly, that occurs in pauses
between the singing. When used in live situations, leakage of miked instrumentation is substantially reduced,
as well as other acoustic contaminants in various recording situations.
If you do not have enough mics (or INTELLIGATE channels) to record each instrument separately, try to create
sub-groups: put the snare and mid-toms together, and group the side-toms, bass drum and cymbals together
with the help of a mixing console. The aim is to set up the expander and to position the group mics so that each
strike on an instrument opens a specific mic and only that instrument is recorded, whilst the other mics remain
muted.
3.4.3 Reducing feedback in stage mics
When a singer is using a vocal mic, their voice effectively stops other sounds from entering the mic. But in
pauses between the singing, the mic will pick up noise from the house PA and monitors, which can lead to
unpleasant feedback problems.
If the INTELLIGATE is inserted into the mic channel, it will shut off the channel when it is not being used,
reducing the possibility of feedback.
Principally all mics should be included in this application.
Fig. 3.1 Gating a stage mic
3.4.4 Noise reduction on effects paths
The effects rack is one of the mainly overlooked sources of noise in a PA system or recording facility. The
prices of reverb and delay units and harmonizers have fallen drastically over the last number of years, which
have made these units a common feature of small studios and home recording installations. Installations
where there are a number of units however, considerably increase the overall noise level drastically, so that the
pleasure in acquiring a new sound effect is diluted in a short period.
It will be useful to use the BEHRINGER INTELLIGATE as the last component in the chain. We recommend that
you use a slow release time in order to maintain the natural reverb.
3. APPLICATIONS