BSS Audio DPR-944, User Manual

Page: 35 / 42

35
11.4 Guitar
treatment
A general problem encountered with acoustic guitars is the difference in mid
range signal level produced when the guitar is strummed relative to the
amount when it is picked.
The DPR 944 can be configured to reduce this problem. Start by setting the
frequency control to 1kHz, width to 3 Oct, and the ratio control to 3 o’clock.
While picking some notes, set the threshold control so that the below
Fig 11.4 Acoustic guitar
treatment
threshold meter flashes its 3dB below threshold light when the instrument is
picked. If the guitar is now strummed, you should see the gain reduction
meter show an indication. Experiment with the controls to find the most
pleasing settings.
This procedure, but at lower frequency and narrower width settings, is very
useful for levelling the signal from a bass guitar. Quite often, either due to
technique or the instrument, particular notes will be a great deal louder than
others. Setting the DPR 944 to reduce the level of those notes rather than the
whole frequency band offers an alternative to traditional broadband
compression.
Above a certain critical sound level output, horn loaded speakers start to
produce an unacceptable amount of distortion. This is due to the irregular
movement of air in the horn throat and is usually a problem over a restricted
range of frequencies. The band of frequencies affected is dependant on the
dimensions of the horn. The DPR 944 can be used to reduce the energy in the
frequency band that aggravates the horn, resulting in both a much improved
sound and the possibility of higher sound levels.
11.5 Control of
horn distortion