Front Panel
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7
(18) Output -
Determines the final output level of signal leaving the limiter / compressor section.
Once the desired amount of limiting or compression is achieved with the use of the Input control, the
Output control can be used to make up any gain lost due to gain reduction. Set the Meter switch to the
Compressor (COMP) position while using the Output knob to set the desired output level. (
see #16
on page 6
)
(19) Ratio -
Determines the severity of the applied gain reduction. (A ratio of 4:1, for example, means
that whenever there is an increase of up to 4 decibels in the loudness of the input signal, there will
only be a 1 dB increase in output level, while a ratio of 8:1 means that any time there is an increase
of up to 8 dB in the input signal, there will still only be a 1 dB increase in output level.) When higher
ratios (12:1, 20:1, or ALL) are selected, the 6176 is limiting instead of compressing. Note that higher
Ratio settings also set the threshold higher.
The 6176 Ratio control allows seven different modes of operation:
BP (Bypass) -
This position automatically routes the preamp output directly to the limiter /
compressor output, thus completely removing its associated “tone” from the signal. (This feature is
provided so you can quickly remove the limiter / compressor section from the signal path altogether
without having to physically move cables.)
1 -
Selects a 1:1 ratio (no gain reduction).
4 -
Selects a 4:1 ratio (moderate compression).
8 -
Selects an 8:1 ratio (severe compression).
12 -
Selects a 12:1 ratio (mild limiting).
20 -
Selects a 20:1 ratio (hard limiting).
All -
Implements the “All-button” or “4 button trick” (sometimes also known as “British
Mode”), in which the 6176 duplicates the overdrive that occurs when all four ratio buttons on an
original 1176 are pushed in simultaneously. (
see page 25 for more information.)
When the 6176 is set to a ratio of BYPASS, none of the other limiter / compressor controls
are operational.
Setting the 6176 to a ratio of 1 has the same effect as turning the Attack knob to its fully
counterclockwise position (past the point where it clicks), where signal passes through the
limiter / compressor section (and in doing so takes on its tonal “color”) but with no actual
gain reduction.
