TC Electronic Finalizer PLUS/96, User Manual, Page: 26 / 29

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As a rule-of-thumb the low-band works best with fast Attack
times and rather slow Release times because low frequencies have
a long wavelength. In the mid-band you can use roughly the same
Attack time, but the Release time should be a bit faster since the
human ear is very sensitive in this area. If you set the mid-band
Release too long it will sound unnatural. The hi-band works best
with an Attack time that is a bit slower than the other two bands
because it will let high frequency transients to pass the
Compressor. Letting these peaks through the Compressor
prevents that stressed and over-compressed sound. The Release
time of the hi-band should be fast, like the mid-band, for the
same reasons, to increase the “openness” of the Compressor.
The Limiter
The Limiter is placed after the Compressor. This means that if
you drive the Compressor too hard, you hit the Limiter too hard.
Give the Limiter some room to do its intended job, to hold down
the level once in a while. If you run the Compressor block Output
levels too close to the Limiter “ceiling” your mix will sound
“squashed”. Conservative use of the Limiter, especially using the
softer Ratios will keep the mix sounding natural. Using the soft
clipper with adequate “look-ahead” time will prevent any
overshoot from the Finalizer.
The Crossover
A last thing to remember about the Finalizer’s dynamics section is
that the adjustable Cross-over frequencies are critical to the unit’s
proper operation. By changing the Cross-over setting to match the
program material you can change the sound dramatically, so you
should experiment with this feature and find the
setting that makes your mix sound best.
This tutorial is only as a brief description of a few of the many
possibilities of the Finalizer. It does not replace the experience
you can achieve by working with the Finalizer.
Use and trust your ears
APPENDIX Tutorial TROUBLESHOOTING
You press the POWER switch but there is no light.
- The Power switch on the rear panel is switched off.
The Input PPM meters don’t peak out.
- You are using Analog Inputs, but the Input selector in the I/O menu is set to Digital in.
- The Analog Input level is set too low.
No sound through the Finalizer.
- You are using Analog Inputs, but the Input selector in the I/O menu is set to Digital in.
You cannot turn the power off.
- Hold the power switch pressed for at least 3 seconds.
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