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2. THE COMPRESSOR
And now for the part of the JOEMEEK Studio Channel that gives it
character; - the compressor.
The compressor is a photoelectric device where the sound triggers light
emitting diodes which in turn control the resistance of a photo sensitive
resistor. This form of compression used to be common in the 60's and 70's
but has been superseded by so called 'improved' voltage controlled
amplifiers. The advantages of the older system are that distortion is virtually
nil, noise is extremely low while overload margin is extremely good. The
disadvantages are that the design is more difficult to produce cheaply and,
according to those who judge equipment by specifications and not by
listening, the older design is less flexible in operation and ‘more difficult to
use’. JOEMEEK begs to differ!
Using 1990's electronics for the control circuitry, Ted Fletcher has recreated
the compressed sound of the 60's; a sound that was unlikely ever to be
heard again. Totally unlike a modern compressor, it can pull voices forward,
help with internal mix balance, and add 'presence' to the sound as well as
controlling recording volume levels. But its main and unique attribute is its
ability to produce the characteristic 60's compressed exciting sound without
losing the transient sparkles that are such a feature of good digital
recording.
THE COMPRESSOR; TECHNICALLY
To get the best use out of the compressor it is necessary to understand the
basic physics and what it is designed to do.
A LIMITER is a device which stops the output of a signal path going above
a predetermined level.
A COMPRESSOR is a device which reduces the dynamic range of
programme material.
WHAT IS A COMPRESSOR?
A perfect compressor is an amplifier where the input/output ratio is
constant: So using a 2:1 compressor, increasing the input by 2dB gives a
corresponding 1dB increase in the output. Early compressors which used
variable mu thermionic tubes or photoelectric devices only approximated
true compression over a limited range. They had a soft 'threshold' where
compression started and held to a predictable ratio up to a certain level,
then they returned to a more linear amplification allowing transients
VC1Q
CS
Studio Channel
- User's guide
Содержание VC1QCS
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