Front Panel
_____________________________________________________________
8
(20) Meter -
A standard VU meter that displays either the preamp section output level, amount of gain
reduction, or limiter / compressor section output level, depending upon the setting of the Meter
Function switch. (
see #16 on page 6
) Occasionally, the meter may require calibration.
(
see page 27 for instructions for calibrating the 6176 meter
)
Setting the 6176 to a ratio of ALL causes distortion to increase radically due to a lag time on
the attack of initial transients and constant changes in the attack and release times as well
as a change in the bias points. Consequently, the meter will go wild, often resting at
maximum. Don’t worry, though – you won’t be harming the 6176 by using this mode!
Engineers typically use “All” mode on drums or on ambience or room mics. It can also be
used to “dirty” up a bass or guitar sound, or for putting vocals “in your face.”
In order to set a specific amount of limiting or compression on the 6176, begin by turning
the Output knob to unity gain (approximately 5) and the Input knob to its fully
counterclockwise (0) position. Set the Ratio as desired, then set the Attack and Release
controls to “5” so that some gain reduction is enabled. Set the Meter Function switch to the
GR position so that the meter shows the amount of gain reduction, then slowly turn the Input
control up until the desired amount of gain reduction is achieved. Finally, adjust the Attack
and Release times until they are suitable for the program material and make up any gain
necessary by raising the Output knob as desired (set the Meter Function switch to COMP to
view the final limiter/compressor output level).
