DynaMaxx
14
Turn the GAIN control clockwise until the peak level of the input
is the same as the peak level of the output. If you use D
YNA
M
AXX
in
a premastering application, you can use the LED display to
evaluate the increase in subjective loudness. To do this, locate the
highest peak level within the source material, and after having
applied the desired degree of compression, set the GAIN control
so that the peak level is reduced to 0 dB. For all lower-level
sections of the material, the LED display shows the added
loudness.
If the DE-COMPRESSION mode is active (7), the GAIN control
compensates for the increase in peak level. Note that in this
mode, turning the GAIN control clockwise decreases the output
level.
The control has a range of 20 dB.
In SOFT LIMIT mode, D
YNA
M
AXX
only processes the peak levels
but leaves the gain structure of low-level signals unchanged.
SOFT LIMIT mode is useful when recording on ‘clipping-sensitive’
media, such as digital recording systems as it improves the utilisa-
tion of headroom as well as the bit resolution.
The COMPRESS control sets the Threshold. The further the
control is moved clockwise, the lower the Threshold, and all
signals above the Threshold will be submitted to the limiting
process as a fixed Ratio of ¥ :1.
In comparison with a Hard Limiter, the Soft Limiter is less unob-
trusive and sonically more natural. When a peak level exceeds the
Threshold, the level isn’t suddenly reduced, as would be the case
with a Hard Limiter, but rather the Soft Limiter starts its proces-
sing earlier. This way, peak levels are limited far more smoothly
once the Threshold is reached. The following measurements illu-
strate various soft-knee limiting curves from the D
YNA
M
AXX
.
Diagram 2:
Soft Limit mode
COMPRESS control is set to three
values: 2, 4, and 7
GAIN set to 0 dB
5
Soft Limit
Gain
4
