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ULTRAMIZER PRO DSP1424P
3.2.1 The ULTRAMIZER PRO in analog recording
In the recording and duplication field the goal should always be to achieve an optimum recording level onto the
recording media. Too low or too high recording levels lead to side effects such as noise, distortion etc. In
mastering and multitrack recording, as well as in duplication, 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 level signals, the gain is increased, whereas the amplitude of high level
signal is reduced. It is obvious that this method is insufficient because, especially in live recordings, the
expected signal levels cannot be anticipated correctly. Especially with multitrack recordings, which are run
under hectic circumstances, the signal level of all channels cannot be monitored and controlled at the same
time. Generally, with manual control, it is not possible to achieve satisfying recording results.
An automatic gain control system achieves better and more constant results. Use the ULTRAMIZER PRO by
starting with the initial settings, and use its dynamic control functions in order to be able to drive an analog, as
well as a digital recording, up to the limit of its maximum dynamic range while remaining noise- and distortion-
free.
3.2.2 The ULTRAMIZER PRO in digital recording and sampling
In an analog recording, too low recording levels lead to an increased noise level, whereas too high levels will
cause a compressed and squashed sound. In extreme cases, it will cause distortion due to tape saturation.
In contrast to analog, side effects in the digital field always become extremely audible: with decreasing level,
a tape previously recorded with insufficient level loses resolution: the recording sounds hard and loses
atmosphere. With excessive level, the recording sounds harsh and heavily distorted. In order to avoid these
effects, the peak limiter section of the ULTRAMIZER PRO should be placed before, for example, a sampler.
The peak limiter is set with the MAX OUT LEVEL value. As a result of this process, a digital recording or a
sampling event can be optimally set in level without any problem.
3.2.3 The ULTRAMIZER PRO in mastering
Fig. 3.1: The ULTRAMIZER PRO as mastering device
The mastering process is one of the most critical processing steps in recording. In this production step, it is
the goal to achieve a maximum level copy of the recording, without any noise or distortion. In many applica-
tions it is further required to produce a high average volume. Quite often in these cases, dynamics suffer
drastically, because the program material has been compressed and limited too heavily. Using the compressor
and the peak limiter section of the ULTRAMIZER PRO allows you to drastically increase the overall volume,
without audibly affecting the dynamics.
Proceed as follows:
1. Limit the dynamics of the program material by 6 dB using the peak limiter section. By softly clipping just
the transients, the real audio signal will not be limited, resulting in higher headroom. The overall gain can
now be increased by 6 dB, which leads to a higher volume. More than 6 dB should not be limited, otherwise
side effects could become audible.
3. APPLICATIONS
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