Creative 70EM896106000 Owners Manual - Page 92

5 - Effects Core Effects Descriptions parameter to operate over an exceptionally large range of 0-60dB so that it can be "steered" to the appropriate range of the input signal. The output Gain parameter also operates - either manually or automatically - over the unusually large range of -60dB to +60dB in order to renormalize the compressor's output for the next stage of the signal path. The wide dynamic range of the RFX Compressor aside, it's generally a good idea to maintain the hottest signal levels possible without clipping at the input to any audio processor. Parameters Threshold Threshold sets the input signal level above which dynamic range compression takes place. Everything above the threshold will be brought down in volume. The compression threshold ranges from -0 to -60dB, relative to full scale (0dBFS) input. Setting the Threshold to 0dB disables normal compression, since no signal can exceed the maximum possible input level. A Threshold setting of 0dB is still useful, however, when using soft-knee compression or gating, since these actions occur below (and their thresholds are set relative to) the Threshold parameter. Gain Reduction Meter As input signals exceed the Threshold, the rightness character in the bargraph is lit, and successive characters are lit for each approximately 3dB in gain reduction imposed by the compressor on the input signal. Because this is a compression meter and not a level meter, the same input signal level will show widely varying meter readings depending on the setting of the Ratio parameter. Ratio Sets the ratio of output signal to input signal levels, selectable in 16 steps from 1:1.1 to 1:INFINITY. When Neg Compression is set to Enabled, the range of compression ratios extends beyond INFINITY to 0dB -30dB Threshold: -30dB 8 1.1:1 1.5:1 2:1 3:1 10:1 :1 encompass negative compression ratios from 1:-100 down to 1:-1, which can be useful for applications like ducking and other special effects. See the discussion of the Neg Compression parameter on page 97. Attack -80dB Sets the amount of time that the compressor's level detector will take to respond to an increase in signal level. The Attack range is adjustable from Instantaneous (essentially a peak detector that follows individual samples) to 10 seconds (useful for long-term leveling or automatic mixing applications.) Release Sets the amount of time that the compressor's level detector will take to respond to a decrease in signal level. The fastest Release time is 100 microseconds, useful for some special effects but highly prone to distortion; more typical release times are in the range of 70 milliseconds to 1 second. Release times up to 10 seconds are available for longterm leveling or automatic mixing applications. Tip: A ratio of Infinity:1 combined with high threshold and fast attack/ release results in an effective peak limiter. 92 Creative Professional