126
Chapter 8—Component Guide Part I
DME32—Owner’s Manual
The Stereo Compander control window features a gain reduction (GR) meter, com-
pander curve, output level meters, and compander controls.
The gain reduction (GR) meter displays the amount of gain reduction being applied by
the Compander. The compander curve displays the effect of the Compander. The ver-
tical axis corresponds to the output signal level, while the horizontal axis corresponds
to the input signal level. A 45-degree line means that the input signal level equals the
output signal level, in other words, the Compander is having no effect. The output
meter displays the level of the output signal.
SIDECHAIN
—When SIDECHAIN is off, the Compander is triggered by the input sig-
nal. On the Stereo Compander, the trigger signal is derived by mixing the signals from
both inputs, so the higher of the two input signals will activate the Compander. When
SIDECHAIN is on, the Compander is triggered by the signal connected to the sidechain
input.
THRESHOLD
—This determines the level of the trigger signal at which compression
and expansion are applied. Trigger signals at a level below the sum of the threshold and
width cause the expander to attenuate the input signal. Trigger signals above the thresh-
old 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
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 20:1
Adjusts the compression ratio
WIDTH
1 dB to 90 dB
Adjusts the expander width
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
–18 dB to 0.0 dB
Adjusts the output gain