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that the Gate remains open during short pauses. The Gate closes the audio channel in the preset release time

after the hold time has elapsed.
The release time may also be used to adapt the Gate perfectly to the program material. As a rule, percussive

audio material with little or no reverb is processed with quick release times, whereas longer release times are

used for signals with a slow decay or heavy reverb. You will note that short release times are suitable for most

percussion instruments, while longer times are generally required for toms and cymbals.
Due to its digital design, the ULTRA-DYNE PRO Gate features a look-ahead function. The ULTRA-DYNE PRO

can analyze the audio signal and thus work without losses. As a result, the Gate always opens at the correct

time without cutting off signal flanks.
If you do not want the Gate to remain open during brief signal peaks, set the impulse width of the signals to be

ignored with the peak width parameter. Increase the value until the Gate only opens for the program material.
Drums will sound dry, snappy and well-defined when the parameters are correctly set. If you do not have

enough individual microphones (or ULTRA-DYNE PRO!) at your disposal, try to arrange several microphones

into subgroups.
The objective is to position the group microphones and set the Gate section in such a manner that a signal

from a given instrument opens only one microphone, while the other microphones remain muted.

3.2.3 Reduction of crosstalk from stage microphones

The ULTRA-DYNE PRO has a wide range of applications in live or stage operation and multiple microphone

deployment: The moderate, careful application of the Gate can effectively suppress background noise, com-

pressor-related background noise accentuation, microphone crosstalk, etc. without undesirable side effects.
The processing of vocal tracks is a typical application for the Gate. The distance of a vocalist to the microphone

becomes increasingly critical when using a compressor. Increasing amounts of background noise are trans-

mitted the further the vocalist moves away from the microphone. Use the Gate function with long release times

to "inaudibly" eliminate unwanted background noise during pauses. In live applications, drum crosstalk in

piano tracks can be suppressed for example, or recordings cleaned of acoustic "contamination".

3.2.4 Reduction of feedback from stage microphones

A vocalist singing into a stage microphone masks background noises, which are then no longer apparent. In

pauses, however, the microphone picks up noise from the PA and monitor speakers, which can cause

unpleasant feedback.
This susceptibility to feedback can be reduced considerably if the ULTRA-DYNE PRO is inserted into the

vocal channel and set to mute the microphone when it is not in use. In principle, all stage microphones should

be included in this application.

3.2.5 Noise reduction in effects chains

One of the most frequently overlooked sources of noise in a sound system is the effect rack. The prices of

reverb and multi-effect devices have dropped drastically in recent years, making them standard equipment

even in small studios and home recording environments. The noise level increases drastically with the number

of devices, however, quickly spoiling the pleasure to be had from the new effects.
This can be countered by inserting the ULTRA-DYNE PRO as the last unit in the effect chain and using the

noise-reducing function of the Gate section. Set the unit for a long release time to ensure a natural reverb.

3.2.6 Creative application of the Gate section

In addition to the applications described above, the Gate can also be used for the creative modification of audio

characteristics. For example, the quality of environmental reverberation or the spatial impression of instruments

can be modified. During its decay time, the reverberation of an instrument will drop below a user-defined

threshold. The duration of the reverberation can be controlled using the preset threshold and release time. The

adjustment of the release time permits the reproduction of the decay characteristic of the instrument in a

manner that preserves the instrument's character. Take the time to experiment with modification of the decay

of a signal. Long release times result in a slow fade, while short release times can completely remove the

reverberation of the instrument.

3. APPLICATIONS

Summary of Contents for Ultra-dyne Pro DSP9024

Page 1: ...1 E ULTRA DYNE PRO DSP9024 Version 1 0 October 1998 User s Manual Bedienungsanleitung D www behringer de ...

Page 2: ...the sole responsibility to confirm that the product ULTRA DYNE PRO DSP9024 Type designation and if applicable Article No which refers to this declaration is in accordance with the following standards or standardized documents x EN 60065 x EN 61000 3 2 x EN 55020 x EN 61000 3 3 x EN 55013 x EN 55022 The following operation conditions and installation arrangements have to be presumed acc to Operatin...

Page 3: ...f air through the ventilation openings Heat The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other appliance including amplifiers 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 Precautions should be ta...

Page 4: ... Ultra accurate Level Peak Meter with Peak Hold and selectable Reference Levels 4 dBu 10 dBV Dig Max s Full MIDI parameter and snapshot control allow for real time editing s Free ULTRA DYNE software allows for total remote control via PC download at www behringer de s Extremely versatile presets give you outstanding and instant sound results for numerous standard applications s 100 settings can be...

Page 5: ... joy with you because you are the most important member of our team You ve contributed greatly to shaping our company and making it successful with your highly competent suggestions for new products In return we guarantee you uncompromising quality manufactured under an ISO9000 certified management system as well as excellent technical and audio properties at an extremely favorable price All of th...

Page 6: ... Suppression of crosstalk in multi channel operation 24 3 2 2 Basic settings of the Gate section 24 3 2 3 Reduction of crosstalk from stage microphones 25 3 2 4 Reduction of feedback from stage microphones 25 3 2 5 Noise reduction in effects chains 25 3 2 6 Creative application of the Gate section 25 3 3 The Compressor section 26 3 3 1 Basic settings of the Compressor section 27 3 3 2 The ULTRA DY...

Page 7: ...ines 35 4 TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 35 4 1 Audio dynamics 35 4 1 1 Noise as a physical phenomenon 35 4 1 2 Audio dynamics 36 4 1 3 Compressors limiters 37 4 1 4 Expanders noise gates 38 4 2 Digital audio processing 38 4 2 1 TheAES EBU and S PDIF standards 40 4 3 Artificial generation of harmonics 41 4 4 Tube technology 41 4 5 The structure of the ULTRA DYNE PRO 42 5 INSTALLATION 42 5 1 Rack mounting 43...

Page 8: ...verse effects on the other frequency bands In multiband operation the program material is divided into several frequency bands Unlike broadband units a separate compressor or limiter is available for each of these bands The frequency ranges are merged once again downstream of these control units The ULTRA DYNE PRO breaks the audio spectrum down into six frequency bands thus offering inaudible but ...

Page 9: ...afety certification requirements Please make sure that all units have a proper ground connection For your own safety never remove or disable the ground conductor of the unit or of the AC power cable As standard the BEHRINGER ULTRA DYNE PRO is installed with electronically servo balanced inputs and outputs The circuit design features automatic hum rejection for balanced signals permitting trouble f...

Page 10: ...clipping Flickering starts as soon as an internal processing overflow occurs while input and output levels may be OK When this LED lights up often reduce the input level 4 Press the SETUP key to access the setup levels which permit the individual numerical editing of each parameter Pressing the SETUP key briefly accesses the first setup level in which the complete range of values for all available...

Page 11: ...al anced XLR and jack connectors A maximum output level of 16 dBu is available at the internal digital maximum DIGIMAX 14 AES EBU INPUTS optional An optionally available female XLR digital interface can be installed here 15 AES EBU OUTPUTS optional The optional male XLR digital interface output can be installed here The AES EBU option transfers 24 bit data words at 32 44 1 or 48 kHz 16 MIDI IN OUT...

Page 12: ...ting of parameters while monitoring the effects of the changes on the meters 2 1 4 The setup level The full range of all available ULTRA DYNE PRO parameters can be edited on the setup level The results can range from interesting to surprising to brilliant Completely new applications can also be created The setup level is thus the domain of experts and those with a passion for experimentation The p...

Page 13: ...IDI interface i e the setup level 2 settings are not stored in the respective programs The ULTRA DYNE PRO has over 100 program memory locations that contain the factory presets as well as room for your own creations Fig 2 2 MEMORY menu Press the softkey B Memory in the PROCESS menu to access the MEMORY menu The Up and Down cursor keys can be used to select and listen to programs in this menu An in...

Page 14: ...n to the PROCESS menu If a program location is already occupied the warning OVERWRITE PROGRAM will appear Press softkey A OK again to assign a name to your program A window with a character map will now appear in the display Choose the character you require with the cursor keys and it will appear at the flashing cursor in the name field Use the softkeys B and C to move the cursor in the name field...

Page 15: ...d whereas the last two 1 Ultramizer 1 Limiter apply to the entire frequency range BANDLINK must be OFF to change settings per band Softkey D A B allows you to compare the current setting with the settings of the program as it was loaded The B in the pictogram is displayed in bold whenever you modify a loaded program If you are not satisfied with the new setting you can return to the original progr...

Page 16: ...Function Parameter Range Default Value EXC Exciter Process 0 to 100 0 O E Exciter Odd Even 1 19 to 19 1 10 10 PRC Tube Process 0 to 100 0 TYP Tube Type 12AX7 12AY7 EL34 EL84 12AX7 Tab 2 2 Fader functions in the TUBE menu 2 3 METER mode Press the Meter key to enter the METER mode Fig 2 9 METER mode This mode displays the input and output levels of all frequency bands ascending from left to right an...

Page 17: ...g level found in home recording and domestic audio equipment a typical example being tape recorders with unbalanced RCA connectors When setting the ULTRA DYNE PRO s internal level or when using the optional AES EBU interface the peak level display of the DIGMAX scale is the ONLY one to use The 4dBu and 10dBV scales serve to monitor the analog inputs and outputs of the ULTRA DYNE PRO Please note th...

Page 18: ...ne let you switch between the left and right channels If stereo mode is activated in setup level 2 this display will not be present i e both channels are linked and will be edited at the same time The param eters are selected using the cursor keys in all setup menus Parameters can be modified and modes switched using the softkeys marked and The two outer softkeys can be used to make modifications ...

Page 19: ...overall signal OFF disables the Gate Threshold LIMITER RELEASE Set the Release time of the Peak Limiter here The Release time is the time constant after which the attenu ation is released once the signal has dropped below the Threshold Values in the full second range are gener ally used The range can be set between 0 5 and 5 seconds 2 4 2 Band menu Fig 2 13 BAND menu in setup level 1 The BAND X pa...

Page 20: ...MPRESSOR RATIO The Compression Ratio can be set from 1 1 no compression to INF 0 INF infinite INF 1 corresponds to the action of a limiter COMP ATT The Compressor Attack time is the time in which the Compressor regulates the signal to the set Ratio after the Threshold has been exceeded COMP REL The Compressor Release time is the time in which the Compressor returns the signal to 1 1 after the leve...

Page 21: ...otection against unauthorized manipulation of the ULTRA DYNE PRO UNLOCK means that all functions may be accessed with the exception of programs that are secured under PROTECT MEMORY LOCK prevents any of the parameters on the device being accessed the only exceptions being the DISPLAY of the present setting plus the input and output level with the LEVEL METER The only other way to access the parame...

Page 22: ...APPLICATIONS This section will cover a number of typical applications for the BEHRINGER ULTRA DYNE PRO Most prob lems related to dynamics can be solved using the following basic settings Please take the time to study the following sample applications in detail in order to ensure the optimum deployment of the unit s broad range of features Primary applications and basic settings Generally speaking ...

Page 23: ...es set to less than 5 ms to control signal peaks as well Clipping Unlike the two previous limiter types the clipping function is characterized by the use of instantaneous attack and release as well as infinite compression rates to ensure absolute limiting for all signals above the set threshold brickwall limiting Clipping has the effect of a radical cutoff of signal peaks exceeding the threshold w...

Page 24: ...ding channel in of the snare for example and set the unit to respond to signals from the snare only Each microphone should be carefully positioned and checked beforehand and the Threshold value set to ensure a clean acoustic separation of the drum sound as if the instrument were being played alone Correct miking technique is decisive for the optimal function of the Expander Gate Be especially care...

Page 25: ...the microphone Use the Gate function with long release times to inaudibly eliminate unwanted background noise during pauses In live applications drum crosstalk in piano tracks can be suppressed for example or recordings cleaned of acoustic contamination 3 2 4 Reduction of feedback from stage microphones A vocalist singing into a stage microphone masks background noises which are then no longer app...

Page 26: ... generally used for mixes and level control in the broadcasting field The ULTRA DYNE PRO is equipped with six Compressors with intelligent look ahead functions The Thresh old Ratio Attack and Release times can be configured in the PROCESS and EDIT menus In addition a knee configuration function with 36 increments can be found in the band setup menu The look ahead for the six Compressors can be set...

Page 27: ...anied with an audible volume reduction Next raise the Outgain fader until the loss of volume has been compensated The levels of the compressed and uncompressed signals can be compared using the input output Level Meter in Meter mode Fine tune the settings according to your requirements using the Ratio Attack and Release controls You can also adjust the compression knee characteristics in the Band ...

Page 28: ...f the input to the output signal This permits you to follow your own objectives with the degree of signal attenuation Establishing the Threshold parameters for all six bands is considerably more difficult and is strongly dependent upon the program material With its VIRTUOSO function the ULTRA DYNE PRO lets you analyze the program material over a period of time and set the Threshold parameters for ...

Page 29: ...s fade outs and brief program pauses to be excluded from the ULTRAMIZER s loudness optimization 3 6 Peak Limiter section The Peak Limiter provides the option of limiting the maximum level of the ULTRA DYNE PRO s output indepen dently of all other control functions It was designed for use in conjunction with the Compressor section Downstream equipment can thus be protected from signal peaks short t...

Page 30: ... DYNE PRO features a newly developed Tube Emulation which generates harmonics for additional warmth and punch in your material This Simulation is intended more as a subtle sound enhance ment and not primarily as an effects processor Four different tube types commonly used in preamplifier and power amplifier circuits are available The intensity of the effect can be controlled with the TUBE Process ...

Page 31: ...c instruments such as guitars without altering the character of the instrument The punch of percussion instruments such as toms bass drums etc can be enhanced for more power and impact 3 8 3 Audio enhancement of PA systems The ULTRA DYNE PRO provides astonishing advantages for PAs and permanently installed systems for background music 1 For PA and background music applications insert the ULTRA DYN...

Page 32: ...ter of the ULTRA DYNE PRO before the sampler It s thus a trouble free way of ensuring optimal levels for digital recording or sampling The Tube Emulation and Exciter sections of the ULTRA DYNE PRO can also be used to add life to the cold sterile character of multitrack digital recording systems by adding additional harmonics 3 9 2 Mastering with the ULTRA DYNE PRO Mastering is one of the most crit...

Page 33: ... the level and duration of distortion transients As a result the performance reserves of the system cannot be fully exploited Power Amp Output L Power Amp Output R Power Amp Input L R ULTRA DYNE PRO Inputs Outputs L R Mixer Main Inserts Mixer Main Outputs L R Fig 3 4 Deployment of the ULTRA DYNE PRO in a sound system The use of the Peak Limiter of the ULTRA DYNE PRO to achieve an increase of 3 dB ...

Page 34: ...tion with multitrack machines When used with multitrack machines the BEHRINGER ULTRA DYNE PRO can be used to prevent distortion resulting from tape saturation and to improve the S N ratio The configuration of a compressor or limiter for this application is not particularly problematic as technical specifications such as tape saturation levels total headroom and output levels are generally known in...

Page 35: ...ality of the program material suffers in the process If your transmission chain contains a limiter with active pre emphasis place the ULTRA DYNE PRO directly in front of it This will result in less activity on the part of the subsequent limiter As TV audio is also generally transmitted in FM the same issues apply as described under FM radio Additional demands result from the nature of the program ...

Page 36: ... aid of amplifiers cassette recorders LPs or even digital recording media CD DAT etc soon runs into the physical limitations of electronic and acoustic playback options The usable dynamic range of electroacoustic equipment is limited as much at the low end as at the high end The thermal noise of the electrons in the components results in an audible basic noise floor and thus repre sents the bottom...

Page 37: ...processing in broadcasting stage or recording environments Although compressors and limiters perform similar tasks one essential point makes them different limiters abruptly limit the signal above a certain level while compressors control the signal gently over a wider range Both continuously monitor the signal and intervene as soon as the level exceeds a user adjust able threshold Any signal exce...

Page 38: ... the simplest form of an expander The signal passes through the unit unchanged above a user definable threshold If the signal drops below this threshold it is simply cut off completely Needless to say this method is not suitable to most applications as the transition would be too abrupt and would be perceived as unnatural by the listener A device of this type can be improved by the option of user ...

Page 39: ...ces This causes further noise To minimize these rounding errors the calcu lations must be performed with larger data words than those of the audio data This process is comparable to a pocket calculator that performs its calculations with a greater number of decimal places than can be shown on the display The DSPs in the ULTRA DYNE PRO operate with a 24 bit resolution This is accurate enough to red...

Page 40: ...dards can be found in the information blocks Table 4 2 shows a section of the professional format data structure generally used in AES EBU connections Byte Bit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 P C Audio Emphasis Locked Sampl Freq 1 Channel Mode Use of User bits 2 Use of AUX bits Length of audio sample Reserved 3 Reserved for description of multichannel recording 4 Audio reference Reserved 5 Reserved Tab 4 2 Prof...

Page 41: ...new algorithms in order to extract maximum performance from the DSPs digital signal processors the heart of digital audio systems Despite that many audio engineers especially highly experienced ones still use old and new tube equip ment They are often willing to accept the comparatively high noise levels of their old jewels in order to take advantage of the typical warm sound of this equipment in ...

Page 42: ... where it is converted back to two analog signals left and right Finally they are sent to the electronically balanced outputs If the AES EBU option is installed the digital signal from the DSPs is also sent to the digital output The digital output is transformer balanced providing a transmission in the digital domain free of induced hum and noise 5 INSTALLATION Your BEHRINGER ULTRA DYNE PRO was ca...

Page 43: ...n of the ULTRA DYNE PRO is made with a standard power supply cable and IEC receptacle It meets all of the international safety certification requirements Please make sure that all units have a proper ground connection For your own safety never remove or disable the ground conductor of the unit or of the power supply cable 5 3 Analog audio connections As standard the BEHRINGER ULTRA DYNE PRO is ins...

Page 44: ...elded cable with XLR connectors We recommend the use of a high quality low capacitance cable capable of the error free transmission of the wide bandwidth signal with frequencies of over 3 MHz The AES EBU signal can carry in addition to the pure audio data up to 24 bit various code signals including built in emphasis the sampling rate time code information and user definable bits The S P DIF Sony P...

Page 45: ...NE PRO to other MIDI devices Normally complete cables can be purchased for this application but you can of course make your own using a high quality cable with two cores and shielding such as microphone cable and with two good 180 DIN plugs Pin 2 center is connected to the cable s shield pins 4 and 5 left and right next to 2 carry the two cores pins 1 and 3 are not used MIDI cables should not exce...

Page 46: ... following message will appear on the display WARNING BATTERY LOW You should send the unit back to us as quickly as possible We are able to replace the battery without losing the programs stored in the memory If you fail to replace the buffer battery the message BATTERY EMPTY MEMORY CLEARED will appear on the display after a while If this happens you have lost all your programs Furthermore new pro...

Page 47: ...s X X Pitch Bender X X Control Change O O Progr Change True System Exclusive O O System Song Pos X X Song Sel X X Common Tune X X System Clock X X Real Time Commands X X Aux Local ON OFF X X All notes OFF X X Messages Active Sense X X Reset X X Notes X X O YES X NO Mode 2 OMNI ON MONO Mode 4 OMNI OFF MONO offset of the first controller adjustable 0 99 0 99 1 100 Mode 1 OMNI ON POLY Mode 3 OMNI OFF...

Page 48: ...e Threshold Compressor Threshold Controller Number Parameter Function 1 2 Channel Mode 12 8 9 10 11 13 Tab 6 2 The controller functions via MIDI It is possible to set an offset for the MIDI controller Begin then starting at that number The controller value ranges are adapted to the real value ranges 6 6 Technical specifications ANALOG AUDIO INPUTS Connections XLR and 6 3 mm TRS jacks Type RF suppr...

Page 49: ...ns corresponding to the pictogram 4 Cursor Keys Modification of parameters and scrolling in menus DISPLAY 4 Function Switch LEDs Indicate the active functions MIDI LED LED for monitoring the reception of MIDI data DISPLAY Type 240 x 64 dot matrix liquid crystal display LCD Backlight LED array Contrast Adjustable via software POWER SUPPLY AC Power USA Canada 120 V AC 60 Hz U K Australia 240 V AC 50...

Page 50: ... DAMAGES Failure of BEHRINGER INTERNATIONAL to provide proper war ranty service shall not entitle the buyer to claim consequential damages In no event shall the liability of BEHRINGER INTERNA TIONAL exceed the invoiced value of the product 7 OTHER WARRANTY RIGHTS This warranty does not exclude or limit the buyer s statutory rights provided by national law in particular any such rights against the ...

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