2.6 Mixing with the Oxford Inflator
2 OPERATION
signals can be rendered musical in nature. This can be used to produce artistic
distortion effects on single instruments within a mix or produce dynamic ‘breaking
up’ effects, much like that possible with valve amplifiers. Or you may just want to
obtain an overall valve-like character and warmth to the sound.
At positions between 0 and +50 the
CURVE
control provides increasing ‘fatness’ and
volume enhancement at the partial expense of dynamic precision, producing the
loudest and most exciting effects at +50. In this position the sound becomes most
powerful with a harmonic profile reminiscent of systems under great stress and
running to their very limits. The music will take on an ‘in your face’ quality, creating
the maximum excitement yet fine detail and subtleties within the mix will be retained.
Despite rendering the signal significantly louder, the impression of considerable
dynamic range is retained even though the output peak level range is largely
unchanged. The low level and background parts of the mix will become enhanced
and more audible and extreme LF contributions from instruments such as basses will
stand out more readily on smaller reproduction systems. Programme treated with
this process will produce louder sounds on all reproduction equipment, and in
particular it will produce unsuspected volume and power from small domestic and
portable systems.
2.6 Mixing with the Oxford Inflator
The Inflator can bring added benefit to the mixing process if it is inserted on the main
output buss throughout the mixing session. In this case it is possible to use the
valve-like harmonic characteristics and the extra overload area to greater advantage,
because these form part of the sound of the mix as it is built up. In some respects
this process is reminiscent of analogue mixing where line-up operating levels may be
breached by transients without actual signal clipping, and the sonic character of the
signal chain is to some degree dependent on balance and instrument contribution
levels.
It is suggested that, in this case, the best initial settings are with the Inflator set to
direct mode (ie. not band split), with the
CURVE
control set to the mid position (0)
and with
CLIP 0dB
de-selected. The input gain should be set somewhat above unity
(+6dB) to allow the mixer to operate without clipping overshoots prior to the Inflator,
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Summary of Contents for Oxford
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