dbx DriveRack 220i, User Manual

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29
220i
DriveRack
®
User Manual
OverEasy (O) Off to 10
There are ten levels of OverEasy
®
that can be used for the limiters. The point when the compressor
starts to compress is the “knee.” When the compressor starts to reduce the level of a signal abruptly
as it passes over the threshold this is called “hard knee” compression. OverEasy
®
(soft knee as it is
sometimes called) is when the volume of the sound is compressed gradually. OverEasy
®
compression
starts to compress before the level of the signal reaches the threshold and reaches full compression after
the level has gone above the threshold. This OverEasy
®
compression, by its very nature sounds much
smoother and more natural and will be used for most applications. When it is gentle (natural sounding
or light) compression that you are looking for, the compressor offers VariKnee™. VariKnee™ gives you
ten levels of OverEasy
®
compression to choose from (1 being almost hard knee and 10 being the most
OverEasy
®
). This lets you choose the exact knee that is needed for the dynamic effect you are looking
for.
Threshold (T) -40 to +20dBu
Threshold is the signal level at which the unit starts to compress the signal. If the level is set to -10 dBu,
any signal larger than -10 dBu is compressed while any signal that has a level that is lower than -10dBu is
left at the same signal level. Light compression is where only the loudest parts of the signal go over the
threshold. Very heavy compression can be achieved by setting
the threshold low enough that almost the entire signal content is over the threshold. For most signals,
the most natural compression is achieved when most of the signal content remains just below the
threshold and only the peaks cross the threshold.
Auto On/Off/
When auto is turned on the 220i will continuously set the attack / hold / release controls itself.
Attack .01 to 200 m Sec (per band or global)
This is the speed at which the limiter starts to compress the signal once it has crossed the threshold. Set
the attack time longer for lower frequency bands, and shorter for higher frequency bands.
Hold 0 to 500 m Sec (per band or global)
Hold is the time the limiter stays in gain reduction after the signal level has dropped below threshold.
Hold is useful when you want the limiter to function for a period of time after it has been triggered. Be
careful not to set the hold time too long as it will not release in time.
Release 360 to 5 dB / Sec (per band or global)
Just like the release time on the compressor, the limiter’s release time controls how fast the limiter
releases from gain reduction after the signal drops below the threshold. Set the release times longer for
lower frequency bands and shorter for higher frequency bands.
P™ On/Off and 1-6
This parameter turns the P limiting on and off. P involves a two-stage process of
dynamic limiting. The first stage of P is the Instantaneous Transient Clamp™ which clamps the
signal with a soft logarithmic clamp function. This logarithmic function ensures that the signal will not
exceed the level set by the P™ OVERSHOOT control by more than the overshoot amount,
and that it will not introduce harsh artifacts. The second stage is a unique program limiter featuring
Intelligent Predictive Limiting™. Its function is to monitor the input signal and intelligently predict the
amount of gain reduction needed to keep the output signal below the ceiling set by the Instantaneous
Transient Clamp™. Note that since the P™ limiter is a fail-safe limiter, it must come after the
OUTPUT GAIN control.
Detailed Parameters
Section 3