dbx DriveRack 260, User Manual

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DriveRack
®
DriveRack® 260 User Manual
Detailed Parameters
Section 4
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. 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 softest (most gradual) knee). This lets you
choose the exact knee that is needed for the dynamic effect you are looking for. If you are unsure where to set this
parameter, a setting of 4 is a great place to start.
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, than 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.
Ratio (R) 1.0 to Inf:1
Ratio is the amount the unit reduces the signal level of the sound that is above the threshold. A 2:1 ratio means that
if the incoming signal is 2dB over the threshold the unit will compress the signal, and outputs a signal that only goes
1dB over the threshold. For light compression choose a lower ratio, while heavy compression requires a higher ratio. A
setting of Inf:1 makes the compressor act as a limiter.
Gain (G) -20 to +20 dB
This parameter is used to compensate for the gain lost during compression. By using heavy compression on a signal and
then boosting the signal with the output gain, the user can create a signal that sounds much louder than it actually is.
Auto On/Off
When Auto Mode is on, the 260 automatically sets the Attack, Hold, and Release times for the signal. The auto mode
constantly adjusts these parameters in real time for optimum performance. You will find that for most applications, not
only is using the auto mode faster and easier but by letting the unit constantly tweak these parameters for you will result
in a better end result (try and hit a snare exactly the same for three minutes).
Attack 0.1 m Sec to 200 m Sec
Attack is how fast the compressor starts to compress the signal after it passes the threshold. Fast attack is useful when
dealing with lots of fast transients. The attack control is not active when in auto mode.
Hold 0 to 500 m Sec
Hold is the time the 260 remains in compression after the signal has dropped below the threshold. A longer hold time is
useful in smoothing out the sound when compressing several fast peaks that are fairly close together in time. In general
some hold time helps to make the compression sound more natural but too much can over compress your signal
making for an unwanted drop in level. The hold control is not active while in auto mode.
Release 360 dB / Sec to 5 dB / Sec
Release is how fast the 260 comes out of compression. The release is in dB per second. For example, if release is set to
5 dB /sec, and the signal is at 10dB of gain reduction, the release time is 2 seconds. Too fast a release time can result in
an audible volume jump, while too slow a release time can result in compression of signal that is not above threshold.
This can cause volume drops in your signal that may not be desired. The release control is not active while in auto
mode.