26
6. SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
6.1 Using the COMPOSER PRO for recording and cassette duplication
In the recording and duplication field the goal should always be to achieve an optimum recording level onto the
recording media. Too low or too high recording levels lead to side effects such as noise, distortion etc. In
mastering and multitrack recording, as well as in duplication, one should always take care to utilize the full
dynamic range of the tape recorder, DAT recorder etc. Principally, it is possible to control the recording level
by riding faders, which means with low level signals, the gain is increased, whereas the amplitude of high
level signal is reduced. It is obvious that this method is insufficient because, especially in live recordings, the
expected signal levels cannot be anticipated correctly. Especially with multitrack recordings, which are run
under hectic circumstances, the signal level of all channels cannot be monitored and controlled at the same
time. Generally, with manual control, it is not possible to achieve satisfying recording results.
An automatic gain control system achieves better and more constant results. Use the COMPOSER PRO by
starting with the initial settings, and use its dynamic control functions in order to be able to drive an analogue,
as well as a digital recording, up to the limit of its maximum dynamic range while remaining noise- and
distortion-free.
6.1.1 The COMPOSER PRO In Digital Recording And Sampling
In an analogue recording, too low recording levels lead to an increased noise level, whereas too high levels
will cause a compressed and squashed sound. In extreme cases, it will cause distortion due to tape saturation.
In contrast to analogue, side effects in the digital field always become extremely audible: with decreasing
level, a tape previously recorded with insufficient level loses resolution: the recording sounds hard and
loses atmosphere. With excessive level, the recording sounds harsh and heavily distorted. In order to avoid
these effects, the Peak Limiter section of the COMPOSER PRO should be placed before for example a
sampler. As a result of this process, a digital recording or a sampling event can be optimally set in level
without any problem.
6.1.2 The COMPOSER PRO In Mastering
The mastering process is one of the most critical processing steps in recording. In this production step, it is
the goal to achieve a maximum level copy of the recording, without any noise or distortion. In many applications
it is further required to produce a high average volume. In the field of commercial media for example, this is
apparent especially with records and cassettes which are processed with high average volumes. Quite often
in these cases, dynamics suffer drastically, because the program material has been compressed and limited
too heavily. Using the Compressor and the Peak Limiter section of the COMPOSER PRO allows you to
drastically increase the overall volume, without audibly affecting the dynamics.
Proceed as follows:
1. Limit the dynamics of the program material by 6 dB using the Peak Limiter section. By softly clipping just
the transients, the real audio signal will not be limited, resulting in a higher headroom. The overall gain can
now be increased by 6 dB, which leads to a higher volume. More than 6 dB should not be limited, otherwise
side effects could become audible.
2. Therefore, in addition, you should also use compression. It is recommended that the compression is
limited to the first 6 dB of the dynamic range only. A high threshold level in addition to the auto mode will
give good results.
This effect is particularly noticeable with DAT recorders, whose level indicators achieve a response time of
less than 1 ms. Set the DAT recorder at unity and now reduce the LEVEL control of the peak limiter until the
LIM LED starts to illuminate. The cut signal peaks cause a reduced recording level of about 6 dB, which is
visible on the level indicators of the DAT recorder. Now increase the recording level of the recorder back to
unity. The result is a clearly louder recording without any loss of sound.
6. SPECIAL APPLICATIONS