Mackie Quad Gate/Compressor Owner's Manual - Page 15

Owner's Manual COMPRESSOR CONTROLS ���� ��� ��� �� ��� ��� ��� ��� �� �� ��� ��� ��� �� ���� ��� �� � � ���� � �� ��� ��� �� ���� �� �� �� ��� ��� ��� � ��� �� �� �� � �� �� � �� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� ���� �� Compressor Overview The compressor is a standard compressor with variable key filters, sidechain input, and an auto control. It comes after the gate in the signal path of the Quad Comp/Gate. Signals that are above the threshold level are attenuated by an amount set by the RATIO [30] control. Once the COMP [17] button has been pressed, the knobs operate as described below. Note: The compressor is still in operation (at its last settings) working its magic on the audio, even if the COMP button is not selected. 29. THRESHOLD knob In compressor mode, this knob sets the input signal level at which the compressor will engage. It ranges from -60 dBu to +20 dBu. 30. RATIO knob 32. ATTACK knob In compressor mode, this knob allows you to set how quickly the compressor engages once the input signal exceeds the threshold. The Attack time ranges from 1 ms to 300 ms. Faster settings have finer adjustment increments. 33. AUTO button This button engages the automatic attack and release control for the compressor. The attack and release times are automatically set, based upon the dynamics of the program material. 34. RELEASE knob If the input signals exceed the threshold, they will be compressed. After this, when they drop below the threshold, the compression will be released after the amount of time set by this knob. The time ranges from 50 ms to 3 seconds. Faster settings have finer adjustment increments. In compressor mode, this knob sets the rate of attenuation applied to the signal as it exceeds the threshold. The ratio can vary between 1:1 (no gain reduction), through gentle compression, and up to the maximum of infinity:1 (peak limiting). You can think of the ratio as: (input rise in dB) : (output rise in dB) For example, if the ratio is set to 5:1, a 5 dB increase in input level above the threshold will yield only a 1 dB rise in output level; if the input rises 10 dB above, the output only rises 2 dB. 31. SOFT KNEE button 35. SIDE CHAIN button When this button is engaged, any signals coming into the rear panel SIDECHAIN RETURN [4] for the selected channel can be used to trigger the compression for that channel. This can be really useful. Note: When this is engaged, the internal triggering of compression is bypassed, so you must have something coming into the SIDECHAIN RETURN, or there will be no compression. As an example of sidechainery, you could set up a "ducker" which drops the level of a music program when an announcement is made. This button engages the soft knee for the compressor. As the signal approaches the threshold, gain reduction is gradually applied up to the full ratio setting. This gives a gentler, kinder and smoother compression. Owner's Manual 15