The N90- DRC (David Rees Compressor) Compressor/Gate combines
compression and gate facilities in a 500 series format.
Unlike the majority of other 500 series compressors, the N90-DRC is a single rack
space unit. This gives the versatility of buying just a single channel, or as many
channels as you prefer.
The compressor operates with the less common progressive control
characteristics.
Gain reduction begins at well below, and ends somewhat above, the nominal ratio.
The ratio knob indicates a range from 2 to 8 but these are midway values only.
The curves actually provide a spread of ratios from less than 1.5 to over 10.
Musically the progressive curves are very kind - There is no sudden change on
passing the threshold and audio processing is virtually "seamless". Rapid release
times become inappropriate and the 30:1 range provided is ample. A fully
automatic dual release is also available.
Technically the progressive curves are achieved using linear detection combined
with logarithmic attenuation inside a closed control loop. The method is not
suitable for "protective" limiters but is ideal for a compact wide ranging dynamics
unit.
"Limiter sound" is still provided by the higher ratios and there is a choice of attack
times.
The gate is more conventional, but it's release time is composite with a hold time
followed by a fade time. This makes the gate very versatile in that as well as basic
noise reduction it can also provide quite subtle changes to ambience or
background.
Summary of Contents for N90-DRC 500
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