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1

18

1,5

3,0

5,0

12

16

20

1,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

8,5

9,5

11

14

7,5

1,0

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2,0

16

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20

3,0

4,0

5,0

6,0

7,5

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11

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14

Soft Clip

Gain Reduction

M/S Mode

Active

Channel Link

Mix

Dir

10

%

20

30

60

70

80

90

Com

100

50

Gain

0

0,5

dB

1,5

2,0

4,5

6,0

8,0

10

12

11

3,5

EQ Freq

Hz

20

22

30

40

140 170

500

220

300

2k0

1k0

SC Gain

dB

LP

-12

-5

-2

-1

-0,3 -0,3

-2

-5

-12

HP

SC Freq

Hz

30

40

50

80

280 340

430

2k0

3k3

EQ Gain

Lo

2,7

2,2

1,6

1,0

0,3

1,6

2,2

2,7

Hi

dB

0,3

Auto Fast

Feed Forward

On

Auto Fast

x10

On

Transformer

Direct

Compressed

On

Thresh

+20

+18

dB

+15

+11

0

-3

-6

-9

-13

-12

+4

Attack

0,01

2,0

ms

7,0

13

28

50

70

110

150

130

24

Release

60

75

ms

100

150

430

570

800

1k1

1k8

1k5

300

Ratio

1,1

1,2

1:X

1,3

1,4

1,7

1,8

1,9

2,1

2,4

2,2

1,6

Soft Clip

25

24

dB

21

19

14

11

8,0

5,5

3,0

16

4,0

Mix

Dir

10

%

20

30

60

70

80

90

Com

100

50

Gain

0

0,5

dB

1,5

2,0

4,5

6,0

8,0

10

12

11

3,5

EQ Freq

Hz

20

22

30

40

140 170

500

220

300

2k0

1k0

SC Gain

dB

LP

-12

-5

-2

-1

-0,3 -0,3

-2

-5

-12

HP

EQ Gain

Lo

2,7

1,0

0,3

1,6

2,2

2,7

Hi

dB

0,3

Auto Fast

Feed Forward

On

Auto Fast

x10

On

Transformer

Direct

Compressed

On

Thresh

+20

+18

dB

+15

+11

0

-3

-6

-9

-13

-12

+4

Attack

0,01

2,0

ms

7,0

13

28

50

70

110

150

130

24

Release

60

75

ms

100

150

430

570

800

1k1

1k8

1k5

300

Ratio

1,1

1,2

1:X

1,3

1,4

1,7

1,8

1,9

2,1

2,4

2,2

1,6

Soft Clip

25

24

dB

21

19

14

11

8,0

5,5

3,0

16

4,0

SC Freq

Hz

30

40

50

80

280 340

430

2k0

3k3

500

800

18

1,5

3,0

5,0

12

16

20

1,0

2,0

4,0

6,0

8,5

9,5

11

14

7,5

1,0

1,5

2,0

16

18

20

3,0

4,0

5,0

6,0

7,5

8,5

9,5

11

12

14

Soft Clip

Gain Reduction

M/S Mode

Active

Channel Link

Mix

Dir

10

%

20

30

60

70

80

90

Com

100

50

Gain

0

0,5

dB

1,5

2,0

4,5

6,0

8,0

10

12

11

3,5

EQ Freq

Hz

20

22

30

40

140 170

500

220

300

2k0

1k0

SC Gain

dB

LP

-12

-5

-2

-1

-0,3 -0,3

-2

-5

-12

HP

SC Freq

Hz

30

40

50

80

280 340

430

2k0

3k3

EQ Gain

Lo

2,7

2,2

1,6

1,0

0,3

1,6

2,2

2,7

Hi

dB

0,3

Auto Fast

Feed Forward

On

Auto Fast

x10

On

Transformer

Direct

Compressed

On

Thresh

+20

+18

dB

+15

+11

0

-3

-6

-9

-13

-12

+4

Attack

0,01

2,0

ms

7,0

13

28

50

70

110

150

130

24

Release

60

75

ms

100

150

430

570

800

1k1

1k8

1k5

300

Ratio

1,1

1,2

1:X

1,3

1,4

1,7

1,8

1,9

2,1

2,4

2,2

1,6

Soft Clip

25

24

dB

21

19

14

11

8,0

5,5

3,0

16

4,0

Mix

Dir

10

%

20

30

60

70

80

90

Com

100

50

Gain

0

0,5

dB

1,5

2,0

4,5

6,0

8,0

10

12

11

3,5

EQ Freq

Hz

20

22

30

40

140 170

500

220

300

2k0

1k0

SC Gain

dB

LP

-12

-5

-2

-1

-0,3 -0,3

-2

-5

-12

HP

EQ Gain

Lo

2,7

1,0

0,3

1,6

2,2

2,7

Hi

dB

0,3

Auto Fast

Feed Forward

On

Auto Fast

x10

On

Transformer

Direct

Compressed

On

Thresh

+20

+18

dB

+15

+11

0

-3

-6

-9

-13

-12

+4

Attack

0,01

2,0

ms

7,0

13

28

50

70

110

150

130

24

Release

60

75

ms

100

150

430

570

800

1k1

1k8

1k5

300

Ratio

1,1

1,2

1:X

1,3

1,4

1,7

1,8

1,9

2,1

2,4

2,2

1,6

Soft Clip

25

24

dB

21

19

14

11

8,0

5,5

3,0

16

4,0

SC Freq

Hz

30

40

50

80

280 340

430

2k0

3k3

500

800

SC

EN

A

RI

O

 –

  M

/S

 U

nl

in

ke

 &

  U

pw

ar

Le

ve

lin

g

M/S Unlinked

The true strengths of an M/S compressor will not be revealed until it is switched into unlinked M/S 
mode. Depending on the mix and the style of music, the dynamics and loudness in the middle 
and side channel can be completely different from each other. Take a heavily pumping bass drum 
right in the middle and 100 % stable strings in the sides, for example – just try this with any other 
compressor ;-) Thus it can make perfect sense to set strongly differing values of threshold, attack, 
release and ratio for the middle and the sides. In order to achieve a better evaluation of the results, 
it is advisable to listen to the processed channel solo for a start. Please remember to deactivate the 
direct and compressed buttons of the other channel for this. Using the audio filters, which can also 
be set completely different from each other now, can help to additionally enhance the tonal bal-
ance of a mix. Once you have discovered the potentials of the M/S mode, lots of formerly difficult 
mixes can be controlled much better, resulting in audibly better effects.

Upward Leveling

Upward Leveling – this describes the possibility to make only the low signal parts louder and leave 
the louder changes in dynamics unprocessed. The settings shown above are suitable for classical 
music, for example, where ‚typical‘ compression is objectionable. The compressor works in linked 
stereo mode, the attack time is set at maximum and the release time is at 150 ms. Under these 
conditions the alpha compressor will function as a leveler. In feed forward mode the attack time 
is twice as long compared to feedback mode and therefore amounts to 300 ms. The ratio charac-
teristic corresponds to a limiter, and the make up gain is about 6 dB. The result of these settings: 
Quieter passages that do not produce any gain reduction will be boosted by 6 dB, whereas loud 
signals will be limited by the compressor. Now the special trick is to set the mix controller to 50 %. 
By adding the original signal the initial dynamics will be saved, and the bottom line is that only the 
quieter signals will be turned up.

Summary of Contents for alpha compressor

Page 1: ...A L P H A C O M P R E S S O R A L P H A C O M P R E S S O R...

Page 2: ...egistered trademarks of elysia GmbH Other product and brand names contained in this document are used for identification purposes only All registered trademarks product designations or brand names use...

Page 3: ...irculation Do not cover circulation vents CAUTION Connecting Mounting Never connect the output of a power amplifier to this device Place the unit on a rigid board or fix it to an appropriate rack Use...

Page 4: ...rtance to practical experience and fast results which is also the reason for reserving the explanation of the technological excesses realized in the alpha compressor to our website The Basics chapter...

Page 5: ...21 Upward Leveling 21 M S Leveling 22 Groove Compression 22 Vocal Down 23 DeEssing 23 Parallel Compression 24 Stereo Enhancer 24 LoFi Compression 25 Extreme Settings 25 REFERENCE 26 Threshold Offset...

Page 6: ...o Fast similar to the Auto Fast feature for the attack parameter this function automati cally shortens the release time and then returns to the set value pp 13 28 Ratio the relation between the input...

Page 7: ...tive in their respective channel the Mix controller blends between them for onboard parallel compression p 18 33 Compressed makes the compressed and or filtered signal audible in its respective channe...

Page 8: ...5 VAC 3 0 A Slo Blo Incorrect or missing fuses are dangerous safety hazards for both the unit and yourself Audio outputs 4 dBu Pin assignment balanced 1 ground 2 hot 3 ground Pin assignment unbalanced...

Page 9: ...dependent compression when it is switched into the detector path Level section The lower array starts with the mix controller that allows blending between the unprocessed and the compressed filtered a...

Page 10: ...rs filter mix gain limiter are not linked though and therefore have to be set manually In this mode the gain reduction is identical for both channels Signal Flowchart The schematic shows the signal fl...

Page 11: ...orange are not combined In linked stereo mode please pay attention to set the controllers and switches for both EQ mix and gain sections identically Otherwise an audible drift between the left and the...

Page 12: ...ssion process fast slow strong weak etc The levels of the compressed signals can be made up by adding an appropriate amount of ampli fication with the gain controllers Since the link function will onl...

Page 13: ...not be changed at all The compressor will only become very fast in case it is really needed Auto Fast Release The same example is suitable to use the Auto Fast function for the release parameter too T...

Page 14: ...values of the attack controller will also change noticeably in feed forward mode as they will become almost twice as high as the value shown on the scale Transformer Each of the two channels features...

Page 15: ...essor into M S mode and leave the link function deactivated for now The left side of the compressor now controls the middle channel and the right side the side channel By using the compressed switches...

Page 16: ...operation The combination of sidechain filters M S matrix and different attack settings enables you to make very selective changes and depending on the source material even to process single instru m...

Page 17: ...and Again the results can be listened to separately by using the com pressed switches for each channel However in stereo mode both audio filters should be set to the same values in order to avoid unwa...

Page 18: ...tion of the initial dynamic structure remains The control logic of this feature is also worth mentioning If only the compressed button is pushed you will hear the compressed signal only Otherwise if o...

Page 19: ...so the case in M S mode because the limiters are located after the M S decoder and therefore are always assigned to the left and right stereo chan nels Note that the channel link does not affect the c...

Page 20: ...Direct Compressed On Thresh 20 18 dB 15 11 0 3 6 9 13 12 4 Attack 0 01 2 0 ms 7 0 13 28 50 70 110 150 130 24 Release 60 75 ms 100 150 430 570 800 1k1 1k8 1k5 300 Ratio 1 1 1 2 1 X 1 3 1 4 1 7 1 8 1 9...

Page 21: ...ain Lo 2 7 1 0 0 3 1 6 2 2 2 7 Hi dB 0 3 Auto Fast Feed Forward On Auto Fast x10 On Transformer Direct Compressed On Thresh 20 18 dB 15 11 0 3 6 9 13 12 4 Attack 0 01 2 0 ms 7 0 13 28 50 70 110 150 13...

Page 22: ...dB 21 19 14 11 8 0 5 5 3 0 16 4 0 Mix Dir 10 20 30 60 70 80 90 Com 100 50 Gain 0 0 5 dB 1 5 2 0 4 5 6 0 8 0 10 12 11 3 5 EQ Freq Hz 20 22 30 40 140 170 500 220 300 2k0 1k0 SC Gain dB LP 12 5 2 1 0 3...

Page 23: ...6 4 0 Mix Dir 10 20 30 60 70 80 90 Com 100 50 Gain 0 0 5 dB 1 5 2 0 4 5 6 0 8 0 10 12 11 3 5 EQ Freq Hz 20 22 30 40 140 170 500 220 300 2k0 1k0 SC Gain dB LP 12 5 2 1 0 3 0 3 2 5 12 HP EQ Gain Lo 2 7...

Page 24: ...2 0 4 5 6 0 8 0 10 12 11 3 5 EQ Freq Hz 20 22 30 40 140 170 500 220 300 2k0 1k0 SC Gain dB LP 12 5 2 1 0 3 0 3 2 5 12 HP EQ Gain Lo 2 7 1 0 0 3 1 6 2 2 2 7 Hi dB 0 3 Auto Fast Feed Forward On Auto Fas...

Page 25: ...1k1 1k8 1k5 300 Ratio 1 1 1 2 1 X 1 3 1 4 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 1 2 4 2 2 1 6 Soft Clip 25 24 dB 21 19 14 11 8 0 5 5 3 0 16 4 0 Mix Dir 10 20 30 60 70 80 90 Com 100 50 Gain 0 0 5 dB 1 5 2 0 4 5 6 0 8 0 10 12...

Page 26: ...sure to disable the M S and link functions Now send an audio signal into the compressor and set the attack to approx 24 and the release to 300 ms On the upper circuit board there is a blue trimmer lab...

Page 27: ...lso smaller Therefore the amount of gain reduc tion is always higher on fast attack settings than on longer settings Auto Fast Attack Utilizing a burst signal again this diagram shows a comparison bet...

Page 28: ...astest release settings without generating unwanted artifacts REFERENCE Release Auto Fast Release Auto Fast Release In this case the Auto Fast function was added to a release time of 400 ms light curv...

Page 29: ...ain reduction settings as these are the ones most frequently used in mastering applications Ratio Feed Forward In feed forward mode the ratio characteristics differ strongly from those in feedback mod...

Page 30: ...up to 4 5 dB Depending on the setting of the EQ gain the level might need some make up with the gain controller EQ Gain High Now let s have a look at the opposite scenario In this figure the EQ gain c...

Page 31: ...The green curve shows an almost linear compression with a constant gain reduction across the complete frequency spectrum If the SC gain controller is set to high pass HP yellow curve however the low f...

Page 32: ...he highest frequency you just about want the com pressor to react to SC High Pass Here the controller was turned completely the other way round In high pass position HP the ap proach of the sidechain...

Page 33: ...signal is switched in the mix controller does not have any influ ence on the level Soft Clip These characteristic curves show the smooth processing of the Soft Clip limiter Even though this figure em...

Page 34: ...This cumulative load might result in a decrease of level If now the alpha compressor is activated the preceding device only sees the alpha compressor and no longer the following unit Therefore the lo...

Page 35: ...20 Hz 22 kHz Stereo Mode 122 dB M S Mode 118 dB Maximum Input Level Stereo Mode 28 dBu M S Mode 23 dBu Maximum Output Level Stereo Mode 27 dBu M S Mode 23 dBu Input Impedance 10 kOhm Output Impedance...

Page 36: ...you cannot or do not want to use this option please contact us via the address you will find at the end of this warranty statement You will be provided with registration documents suitable for fax or...

Page 37: ...0 1k1 1k8 1k5 300 Ratio 1 1 1 2 1 X 1 3 1 4 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 1 2 4 2 2 1 6 Soft Clip 25 24 dB 21 19 14 11 8 0 5 5 3 0 16 4 0 Mix Dir 10 20 30 60 70 80 90 Com 100 50 Gain 0 0 5 dB 1 5 2 0 4 5 6 0 8 0 10 1...

Page 38: ...38 Let there be sound And there was sound AC DC TCHAIKOVSKY S NEWS...

Page 39: ......

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