CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA
CG200 Optical Compressor/Gate
INSTRUCTIONS
76-00120 0403
12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
(800) 854-2235 www.carvin.com
RECEIVING INSPECTION
INSPECT YOUR ITEM FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping.
If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company & CARVIN.
SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship
your unit, always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the
best possible protection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not
liable for any damage caused by improper packing.
SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.
SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped
separately. Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before
inquiring.
RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card or below on this
manual for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with
your name and comments to us.
For your records, you may wish to record the following information.
Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date______
_________
Congratulations on your purchase of the CARVIN CG200 two
channel Optical Compressor/Gate. The CG200 was designed with
the professional in mind. Your unit has been engineered and
assembled in the U.S.A., using only high quality electronic
components and uncompromising workmanship. The CG200 was
designed around hand matched analog optoisolators. Unlike many
compressor/gates which use higher noise VCA’s, the CG200 is
based on classic optical compressors from the 60’s that had that
warmth and softness that cannot be recreated with VCA’s.
Optoisolators are also known for their extremely low distortion.
CONNECTING UP
The CG200 can be used in various applications that require different
configuration within a sound system. Fig. 1 shows the CG200
connected between the stereo output of a mixer and the inputs of a
power amp. This is best for compressing or gating an entire main
mix of program material. Fig. 2 depicts a channel insert
connection. This is done with a TRS (tip send, ring return) Y-cable.
The signal is sent out of the channel, compressed/gated and
returned into the channel. This is a typical set-up on most vocal or
drum microphone channels. Fig. 3 depicts a mic channel direct out
to the SIDE CHAIN INPUT. The mic signal triggers the
compressor/gate .
GND
LIFT
1-800-854-2235
www.carvin.com
MADE
A
US
IN
THE
CG200
OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE
SERIAL NUMBER
90-250 VAC
INTERNAL FUSE
10 VA 50-60Hz
STEREO
LINK
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
0 dBu
+6 dBu
0 dBu
+6 dBu
UNBAL
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH1
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH2
PROTECT
∞
50
50
30
30
22
22
19
19
17
17
15
15
13
13
12
12
11
11 10
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
0 dB
DCM1000
1000 Watt Power Amp
CLIP
SIGNAL
∞
50
50
30
30
22
22
19
19
17
17
15
15
13
13
12
12
11
11 10
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
0 dB
POWER
CHANNEL ONE
CHANNEL TWO
CLIP
SIGNAL
POWER AMP
L-R OUTPUT
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
GND
LIFT
1-800-854-2235
www.carvin.com
MADE
A
US
IN
THE
CG200
OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE
SERIAL NUMBER
90-250 VAC
INTERNAL FUSE
10 VA 50-60Hz
STEREO
LINK
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
0 dBu
+6 dBu
0 dBu
+6 dBu
UNBAL
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH1
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH2
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
∞
50
30
22
19
17
15
13
12
11 10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
GND
LIFT
1-800-854-2235
www.carvin.com
MADE
A
US
IN
THE
CG200
OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE
SERIAL NUMBER
90-250 VAC
INTERNAL FUSE
10 VA 50-60Hz
STEREO
LINK
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
0 dBu
+6 dBu
0 dBu
+6 dBu
UNBAL
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH1
INPUTS
OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT
UNBAL
UNBAL
CH2
PROTECT
∞
50
50
30
30
22
22
19
19
17
17
15
15
13
13
12
12
11
11 10
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
0 dB
DCM1000
1000 Watt Power Amp
CLIP
SIGNAL
∞
50
50
30
30
22
22
19
19
17
17
15
15
13
13
12
12
11
11 10
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 dB
0 dB
POWER
CHANNEL ONE
CHANNEL TWO
CLIP
SIGNAL
POWER AMP
L-R OUTPUT
DUAL CD PLAYER
OPEN/CLOSE
CD 1
DUAL CD PLAYER
OPEN/CLOSE
REV
FWD
PITCH CONTROL
8%,12%,16%
-SEAMLESS LOOP-
PLAY/PAUSE
TRACK SKIP
RELAY
SHUTTLE
JOG
CD1
0
+
-
CD 2
OPEN/CLOSE
REV
FWD
PITCH CONTROL
8%,12%,16%
-SEAMLESS LOOP-
PLAY/PAUSE
TRACK SKIP
RELAY
SHUTTLE
JOG
CD1
0
+
-
CD Player
Enable the STEREO
LINK switch so both
channels are controlled
by the settings on
Channel 1.
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
Enable the STEREO
LINK switch so both
channels are controlled
by the settings on
Channel 1.
Connect the CG200 between the CD
player and the mixer. Use a
standard unbalanced 1/4” cable and
“half insert” into the INSERT jack on
the mixer and connect the other end
to the SIDE CHAIN INPUT on the
CG200. Connect a vocal mic to the
same channel as the insert cable on
the mixer. The CG200 will
compress the CD audio whenever
someone speaks into the mic.
c
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz TO 20kHz +/- 1dB
DYNAMIC RANGE: 115dB
MAX INPUT LEVEL: +20dBu
THD+N: LESS THAN 0.002% 20Hz TO 20kHz,
NO COMPRESSION/GATING, 0dB INPUT
LESS THAN 0.05%, ANY AMOUNT OF
COMPRESSION, 0dB INPUT
ATTACK AND RELEASE TIMES NOMINAL
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 20K BALANCED XLR
CROSSTALK: <-90dB 20Hz TO 20kHz
OUTPUT GAIN:
-
∞
TO +12dB
COMPRESSOR
THRESHOLD RANGE: -30bB to +20dB
RATIO: 2:1 TO 20:1
ATTACK TIME: 4mS TO 400mS
RELEASE TIME: 10mS TO 2 SEC
GATE
THRESHOLD RANGE: OFF(OPEN GATE) TO +10dB
RATIO: 1:1(OFF) TO 30:1
RELEASE TIME: 1mS TO 2 SEC
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS:
XLR BALANCED AND 1/4” UNBALANCED
SIDECHAIN INPUT: 1/4” UNBALANCED
INPUT LEVEL SELECTION:
0dBu or +6dBu
POWER REQUIREMENTS:
4VA 90-250VAC, 50/60Hz SWITCHING SUPPLY
FUSE:
INTERNAL 1.5A FAST BLOW
DIMENSIONS:
1 3/4”H x 19”W x 6”D
SHIPPING WEIGHT:
7 LBS
CG200 SPECIFICATIONS
