Behringer COMPOSER PRO-XL MDX2600 Quick Start Guide - Page 8

14 MULTICOM PRO-XL MDX4600/PRO-XL MDX2600/AUTOCOM PRO-XL MDX1600 15 Quick Start Guide MULTICOM PRO-XL MDX4600/PRO-XL MDX2600/AUTOCO M PRO-XL MDX1600 Controls (EN) Controls (1) Pressing the COUPLE switch links the (10) The RATIO control determines the ratio of channels. In couple mode, dynamics are input vs. output level with regard to all signals controlled by using channel 1 switches and exceeding threshold by more than 10 dB. controls, whereby the control signal is derived Although the compression starts earlier, from the energy of both side chain channels the IKA characteristic ensures the smooth, (true stereo processing). inaudible onset of the gain reduction, which is (2) Use the TRIGGER control in the expander/ gate section to determine the threshold below which expansion sets in, so that signals below threshold are reduced in gain. The setting why the ratio value will be reached only with 10 dB or more above threshold. It can be set continuously from 1:1 (no compression) to ∞:1 (limiter). range is from OFF to +10 dB. (11) The 12-digit GAIN REDUCTION display (3) If a signal below the adjusted value is applied, the red LED (expansion on) lights up. If the (MDX4600: 8-digit) informs you about the current gain reduction applied (1 to 30 dB). signal gain is above the adjusted value, (12) The LO CONTOUR switch activates a high-pass the green LED lights up. filter in the side-chain path and thus avoids (4) In order to adapt the expander/gate optimally to the program material, use the RELEASE switch to select a short or long release time. the "pumping" effect caused by high-energy bass frequencies and their influence on the compression process. Percussive material with little or no reverb at (13) Use the ATTACK control to determine when all is usually processed with a short release the compression sets in once the signal time (switch not pressed). The long release has exceeded threshold (MDX1600 and time is the best choice for slowly decaying or MDX2600 only). heavily reverberated signals (switch pressed). (14) Press the INTERACTIVE KNEE switch to change (5) The GATE switch allows you to toggle from "hard knee" to IKA characteristic: between the expander (switch not pressed) Input signals exceeding threshold by up to and the gate function (switch pressed). 10 dB will be processed with a "soft knee" Use the gate function to mute signals below characteristic. Above 10 dB the control threshold (e.g. noise). characteristic changes from "soft knee" to a (6) Use the THRESHOLD control to adjust the more conventional "hard knee" compression. compressor threshold from -40 to +20 dB. (15) The AUTO function, which is activated (7) These three LEDs (AUTOCOM PRO‑XL and COMPOSER PRO‑XL only) indicate whether the input signal is above or below the adjusted compressor threshold. The yellow LED in the with the AUTO switch, disables the ATTACK and RELEASE controls and derives these time values automatically from the program material. middle refers to the IKA "soft knee" range (16) The RELEASE control (MDX1600 and MDX2600 (if IKA is on). only) sets the time when the original 1:1 gain (8) Activating the SC EXT switch interrupts the link between the signal input and the is reached, after the signal has dropped below threshold again. compressor control section. At the same time, (17) Use the TUBE switch (MDX2600 only) to an external control signal can be fed in via the enhance the output signal with the warm and rear panel SC RETURN jack, taking over control transparent tonal character typically produced of the input signal dynamics reduction. by electronic tubes. (9) The SC MON switch links the sidechain input (18) The OUTPUT control allows you to raise signal to the audio output, thereby muting the or lower the output signal by max. 20 dB, audio input signal. For example, this allows so as to make up for a gain loss caused by you to pre-monitor the sidechain signal in the compressor or limiter action. Raise the combination with an equalizer or other device gain by roughly the same amount that inserted into the sidechain channel. it has been reduced by the compressor. The GAIN REDUCTION display (11) reads the value adjusted. (19) The 12-digit INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL (29) The peak limiter limits the signal to an display (MDX4600: 8-digit) reads both adjustable level. When the LIMITER control the level of the incoming audio signal is turned fully to the right, the limiter is and the level at the dynamics processor switched off. Owing to its extremely fast output. The range is from -30 to +18 dB "zero" attack, this circuit is capable of (MDX4600: -24 to +18 dB). limiting signal peaks without any overshoot. (20) The IN/OUT METER switch selects whether the gain LEDs read the input signal (switch pressed) or the output signal If the signal is limited for more than 20 ms, the overall gain is reduced for about 1 s to avoid strong and thus audible limiter effects. (switch not pressed). (30) The LIMIT LED lights up as soon as the limiter (21) The IN/OUT switch activates the is on. corresponding channel. It provides a (31) FUSE HOLDER/VOLTAGE SELECTOR. so-called "hard bypass", i.e. if it is OUT or the unit is not connected to the mains, MAINS CONNECTION. the input jack will be linked directly to the (32) OUTPUTS. These are the audio outputs output jack (COMPOSER PRO-XL MDX2600 of your dynamics processor. The two only). Usually, this switch is used for direct matching 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors are A/B comparison between unprocessed and wired in parallel and balanced. Of course, compressed/limited signals. unbalanced cables can be connected here (22) LEVEL control (MDX1600). The AUTOCOM as well. PRO-XL features an adjustable enhancer, (33) OPERATING LEVEL switch. This switch can on which you can set the amount of treble be used to adapt the COMPOSER PRO-XL, boost with the LEVEL control. AUTOCOM PRO‑XL or MULTICOM PRO-XL ENHANCER switch (MDX2600 and MDX4600). Activates the dynamic enhancer. to various operating levels, i.e. to toggle between home recording level (-10 dBV) and studio level (+4 dBu). The level meters will (23) ENHANCER LEVEL. The LED chain reads the be referenced automatically to the nominal current treble boost within a range from level adjusted, so that the compressor works -30 to 0 dB (MDX1600 only). in its optimum operating range. (24) IN/OUT switch (MDX1600). Use this switch to activate the enhancer circuit, e.g. to assess the effect the enhancer has on the audio signal. (25) LEVEL control (MDX2600). Instead of an adjustable enhancer, the COMPOSER PRO-XL has a controllable de-esser, which helps you eliminate hiss noise contained in the audio signal. The LEVEL control determines the amount of frequency suppression. DE-ESSER switch (MDX1600). The AUTOCOM PRO‑XL also has a de-esser. At the touch of a button you can enhance the audio signal considerably, especially when processing vocal recordings. Switch (25) can be found in the compressor section. (26) DE-ESSER LEVEL (MDX2600). The LED chain reads the current attenuation within a range from +3 to +12 dB. (34) INPUTS. These are the audio inputs. They are also on balanced 1/4" TRS and XLR connectors. (35) SIDECHAIN SEND. This is the unbalanced sidechain output, which allows you to route the audio signal to other devices for external processing. (36) SIDECHAIN RETURN. The sidechain input allows you to use an external signal or the processed (e.g. with an equalizer) audio signal routed from the SIDECHAIN SEND jack to control your COMPOSER PRO-XL or AUTOCOM PRO‑XL. For more details on the full functionality of this product, see the product page on behringer.com and download the full manual. (27) MALE switch. This switch adapts the de-esser to the male (switch pressed) or female registers (not pressed). (28) IN/OUT switch. Switches the de-esser on and off.