Front Panel
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6
(14) Attack -
Sets
the amount of time it takes the limiter /compressor to respond to an incoming
signal and begin gain reduction. The 6176 attack time is adjustable from 20 microseconds (FAST) to
800 microseconds (SLOW). The attack time is fastest when the Attack knob is in its fully clockwise
position, and is slowest when it is in its fully counterclockwise position.
(15) Release -
Sets
the amount of time it takes the limiter /compressor to return to its initial (pre-
gain reduction) level. The 6176 release time is adjustable from 50 milliseconds (FAST) to 1100
milliseconds (SLOW). The release time is fastest when the Release knob is in its fully clockwise
position, and is slowest when it is in its fully counterclockwise position.
(16) Meter Function -
This switch determines what the 6176’s VU meter displays: either the preamp
section (PRE) output, the amount of gain reduction (GR), or the compressor’s output level (COMP).
When PRE is selected, a meter reading of 0 corresponds to a level of +4 dBm at the rear panel
Preamp LINE OUTPUT jack. (
see #5 on page 9
)
(17) Input -
Determines the level of the signal entering the limiter / compressor section, as well as
the threshold. Higher settings will therefore result in increased amounts of limiting or compression.
Turning the Attack knob all the way fully counterclockwise position (past the point where it
clicks) has the same effect as setting the Ratio switch to the “1” position, where signal
passes through the limiter / compressor section but is not processed. This is commonly
used to add the “color” of the 6176 limiter / compressor without any actual gain reduction.
If the release time is too fast, "pumping" and "breathing" artifacts can occur, due to the
rapid rise of background noise as the gain is restored. If the release time is too slow,
however, a loud section of the program may cause gain reduction that persists through a
soft section, making the soft section inaudible.
When a very
fast attack time is selected, gain reduction kicks in almost immediately and
catches transient signals of very brief duration, reducing their level and thus "softening" the
sound. Slower attack times allow transients to pass through unscathed before limiting or
compression begins on the rest of the signal.
Unlike many other devices, the 6176 Attack and Release times get faster, not slower, as
their corresponding knobs are turned up (clockwise).
