Hill Audio RPD-2200, User Manual

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USER MANUAL - RPD2200 COMPRESSOR LIMITER
COMPRESSOR THRESHOLD DISPLAY. These three LEDs indicate whether the input signal is
above or below the adjusted compressor threshold. The white LED in the middle refers to the
AUTOKNEE’s “soft knee” range (if AUTOKNEE is on).
COMPRESSOR SC EXT (SIDECHAIN EXTERNAL) switch with LED. This interrupts the link
between the signal input and the compressor control section. At the same time, an external
control signal can be fed in via the rear panel SIDECHAIN RETURN jack, taking over control of
the input signal dynamics reduction. This way it is possible to e.g. intensify the control function
in a specific frequency range by inserting an equalizer in the sidechain.
COMPRESSOR SC MON (SIDECHAIN MONITOR) switch with LED. This links the sidechain input
signal to the audio output, thereby muting the audio input signal. This allows e.g. to pre-monitor
the sidechain signal in combination with an equalizer or other device inserted into the side-
chain channel. Note: With the SC MONITOR switch activated, only the side-chain signal will be
present at the output, which is shown by the flashing LED switch.
COMPRESSOR RATIO control. This determines the ratio of input vs. output level with regard to
all signals exceeding threshold by more than 10 dB. Although the compression starts earlier,
the AUTOKNEE characteristic ensures the smooth, inaudible onset of the gain reduction,
which is why the ratio value will be reached only with 10 dB or more above threshold. It can be
set continuously from 1:1 (no compression) to
∞ :1 (limiter).
COMPRESSOR GAIN REDUCTION display. This 12-digit display shows the applied gain reduc-
tion (1 to 30 dB).
COMPRESSOR LO CONT switch with LED. This switch activates a high-pass filter in the side-
chain path and thus avoids the “pumping” effect caused by high-energy bass frequencies and
their influence on the compression process.
COMPRESSOR ATTACK control. This determines when the compression sets in once the
signal has exceeded threshold. The setting range is from 0.3 to 300 ms.
COMPRESSOR AUTOKNEE switch with LED. This switch toggles between “hard knee” and
AUTOKNEE characteristic: Input signals exceeding threshold by up to 10 dB will be processed
with a ”soft knee” characteristic. Above 10 dB the control characteristic changes from “soft
knee” to a more conventional “hard knee” compression. The AUTOKNEE characteristic allows
for a subtle and musical compression of the program material, with inaudible compression.
COMPRESSOR AUTOTIME switch with LED. This switch disables the ATTACK and RELEASE
controls and derives these time values automatically from the program material. It thus allows
for a heavy and, at the same time, musical compression of signals with varying levels or of
complex program material.
COMPRESSOR RELEASE control. This sets the time when the original 1:1 gain is reached,
after the signal has dropped below threshold again. The setting range is from 0.05 to 5 s.
COMPRESSOR WARMTH switch with LED. This helps to enhance the output signal with the
warm and transparent tonal character typically generated by electronic tubes.
COMPRESSOR OUTPUT control. This allows to raise or lower the output signal by max. 20 dB,
so as to make up for a gain loss caused by the compressor or limiter action. Raise the gain by
roughly the same amount that it has been reduced by the compressor. The GAIN REDUCTION
display (18) reads the value adjusted. Note: When you adjust the LIMITER control in the peak
limiter section, please note that the output gain of the compressor is set before the peak
limiter. If the level is too high here, the peak limiter may respond permanently (see LIMITER
control (34) in the peak limiter section).
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