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AM-10HD / Aug 2008
A M - 1 0 H D G U I
Multiband Enable
This checkbox determines whether or not any
processing is being applied by the 10‑band multiband
limiter and clipper algorithm. When the 10‑band section
is not enabled, audio peak control is handled solely by
the main clipper and the lookahead limiter (if enabled).
Multiband Drive
Determines the amount of input signal applied to
the 10‑band limiter. Less drive creates a more gentle
sound while still controlling peaks. Higher settings
make the sound more aggressive through increased
short term density. Very high drive settings that result
in more than 10‑12dB of continuous gain reduction
are typically unnecessary with most formats, add little to the overall, and will
almost certainly be fatiguing.
The Drive control adjusts the overall gain into the 10‑band limiter section,
and its relative setting is somewhat dependent upon the setting of the Makeup
control in the five band section. For this reason, the control is not labeled in “dB
Drive,” but instead in percent (%). With sane settings of the five band Makeup
control the 10‑band limiter Drive control will usually be found between 85%
and 100%. Full adjustment range is 0% to 100%.
Higher Drive settings cause deeper gain reduction in the 10‑band limiter, as
well as higher levels of clipping in the main clipper algorithm. Therefore, the
“Multiband Drive” control is one of the most powerful controls for controlling
“loudness,” “density,” and “distortion” tradeoffs.
Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive
This controls the absolute peak output level of the 10‑band section and is
adju12dB/‑18dB. The resolution of this control is 0.01dB, fine enough
for the most exacting drive level adjustments.
Multiband Knee
Each of the 10‑bands’ threshold, attack, and release are adjust‑
able, as is the overall transfer function (knee hardness), which affects
how the limiters behave near the threshold of limiting. The graphic
below illustrates the difference between the two transfer functions.
In the “Hard” mode, limiting does not occur until the threshold
within a band is precisely reached. The sound of this setting is more
open and “free” because no limiting activity occurs until the thresh‑
old is achieved.
