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Chapter 8—Component Guide Part I
DME32—Owner’s Manual
signal level, in other words, the De-Esser is having no effect. The output meter displays
the level of the output signal.
THRESHOLD
—This determines the level of input signal required to activate the
De-Esser. On the Stereo De-Esser, the trigger signal is derived by mixing the signals
from both inputs, so the higher of the two input signals will activate the De-Esser. Sig-
nals below the threshold level pass through the De-Esser unaffected. Signals above the
threshold level that are above the specified frequency are compressed by the amount
specified using the Ratio parameter.
RATIO
—This determines the amount of compression, that is, the change in output sig-
nal level relative to the change in input signal level for signals above the specified fre-
quency. For a 2:1 ratio, for example, a 10 dB change in input level (above the threshold)
results in a 5 dB change in output level. For a 5:1 ratio, a 10 dB change in input 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 to signals above the specified fre-
quency as soon as the input signal level exceeds the specified threshold. For knee set-
tings from 1 to 5 (5 = softest), however, compression is applied gradually as the signal
exceeds the specified threshold, creating a more natural effect.
ATTACK
—This determines how soon the signal is compressed once the De-Esser has
been activated. With a fast attack time, the signal is compressed almost immediately.
With a slow attack time, however, the initial transient of a sound passes through unaf-
fected.
RELEASE
—This determines how soon the De-Esser returns to its normal gain once the
trigger signal level drops below the threshold. If the release time is too short, the gain
will recover too quickly causing level pumping (i.e., noticeable gain fluctuations). If it
is set too long, the compressor may not have time to recover before the next high level
signal at the specified frequency appears and it will be compressed incorrectly.
GAIN
—This sets the De-Esser’s output signal level, and can be used to compensate for
the level change in signals above the specified frequency caused by the compression
process.
FREQ
—This sets the frequency above which signals are compressed when the De-Esser
is activated.
Parameter
Range
Description
MUTE
ON/OFF
Mutes the output
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
Turns the component on and off
THRESHOLD
–54 dB to 0 dB
Adjusts the threshold level
RATIO
1:1 to Infinity:1
Adjusts the de-esser ratio
KNEE
HARD, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Adjusts the De-esser’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
FREQ
80.0 Hz to 10.0 kHz
Adjusts the frequency above which signals are
compressed
