Dynamics
129
DME32—Owner’s Manual
to the input signal level. A 45-degree line means that the input signal level equals the
output signal level, in other words, the Compressor is having no effect. The output
meter displays the level of the output signal.
SIDECHAIN
—When SIDECHAIN is off, the Compressor is triggered by the input sig-
nal. On the Stereo Compressor, the trigger signal is derived by mixing the signals from
both inputs, so the higher of the two input signals will activate the Compressor. When
SIDECHAIN is on, the Compressor is triggered by the signal connected to the sidechain
input.
THRESHOLD
—This determines the level of trigger signal required to activate the
Compressor. Trigger signals at a level below the threshold cause the Compressor to pass
the input signal through unaffected. Trigger signals above the threshold level cause the
Compressor to compress the input signal by the amount specified using the Ratio
parameter.
RATIO
—This determines the amount of compression. That is, the change in output
signal level relative to the change in trigger signal level. For a 2:1 ratio, for example, a
10 dB change in trigger level (above the threshold) results in a 5 dB change in output
level. For a 5:1 ratio, a 10 dB change in trigger level (above the threshold) results in a
2 dB change in output level. Compression ratios above 10:1 limit signals rather than
compress them.
KNEE
—This determines how compression is applied at the threshold point. When set
to hard, compression at the specified ratio is applied as soon as the trigger signal level
exceeds the specified threshold. For knee settings from 1 to 5 (5 being the softest), how-
Parameter
Range
Description
MUTE
ON/OFF
Mutes the output
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
Turns the component on and off
SIDECHAIN
ON/OFF
Selects the sidechain input as the trigger source
THRESHOLD
–54 dB to 0 dB
Adjusts the threshold level
RATIO
1:1 to Infinity:1
Adjusts the compression ratio
KNEE
HARD, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Adjusts the Compressor’s “hardness”
ATTACK
0 ms–120 ms
Adjusts the attack time
RELEASE
1
1. 5 ms–42.3 sec (fs = 48 kHz), 6 ms–46.0 sec (fs = 44.1 kHz)
Adjusts the release time
GAIN
0.0 dB to +18.0 dB
Adjusts the output gain
–70
–60
–50
–40
–30
–20
–10
0
+10
+20
–70
–60
–50
–40
–30
–20
–10
0
+10
+20
Input Level (dB)
Output Level (dB)
Knee = hard
Threshold = –20dB
Compression ratio = 20:1
–70
–60
–50
–40
–30
–20
–10
0
+10
+20
–70
–60
–50
–40
–30
–20
–10
0
+10
+20
Input Level (dB)
Output Level (dB)
Knee = hard
Threshold = –20dB
Compression ratio = 2:1