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Table of contents for the manual
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User Manual Compressor/Limiter ® 16 2SL[...]
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W ARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION READ THE FOLLOWING: KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS HEED ALL W ARNINGS FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT USE THIS APP ARA TUS NEAR W A TER CLEAN ONL Y WITH A DR Y CLOTH. DO NOT BLOCK ANY OF THE VENTILA TION OPENINGS. INST ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUF ACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS. DO NOT INST ALL NEAR ANY HEA T SOURCES SUCH AS RADI[...]
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U.K. MAINS PLUG W ARNING A molded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. Discard the mains plug at a suitable disposal facility . NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMST ANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAINS PLUG INTO A 13 AMP POWER SOCKET . Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtai[...]
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Intr oduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Why you need compression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The difference between compressors and limiters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The compression a[...]
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Wh y Y ou Need A Compr essor A remarkable feature of the human ear is that it can detect an extremely wide range of amplitude changes - from the slightest whisper to a deafening clap of thunder . If one tries to record or reproduce this wide spectrum of sound with the help of amplifiers, cassette recorders, records, or even digital recorders, one i[...]
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The Differ ence Between Compr essors and Limiters By measuring the dynamic range of musical instruments in live recording situations, you will experience extreme amplitudes which will often lead to overload in subsequent signal processing equipment. Especially in broadcasting and digital recording, these signal peaks can lead to heavy distortion. T[...]
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The Compr ession and Limiting Effects On a compressor , there is a relationship between the input signal, and the threshold level, input, out- put, and ratio settings. Look at an input signal applied to the inputs of two compressors. The threshold level of the second unit is set ten decibels higher than the threshold of the first unit. Since a comp[...]
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6 Furthermore, it is interesting to note that by comparing the input and output wavefor ms for the com- pressed mode, the quietest sections of the input signal have been effectively raised in level, where- as the loudest sections have been effectively decreased in level. The overall effect is that both ends of the dynamic range have been pushed tow[...]
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7 GAIN control. If the output gain is set too high as compared to the PeakStopPlus Level control, con- tinuous limiting can occur . While PeakStopPlus is typically used as a protective function, creative effects can be achieved by intentionally driving the signal into heavy PeakStopPlus limiting. Great care has gone into the design of the PeakStopP[...]
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9 The 162SL is connected for operation using the rear panel XLR or 1/4” connectors. Note that the two rear panel input sections have a push-switch which lifts the contact on pin #1 (ground). Keep this switch in the OFF position (pin #1 connected) until all connections are made. Be sure that your input and out- put cables are wired in the “pin 2[...]
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10 OverEasy ® Switch : This switch activates/deactivates the OverEasy ® characteristics of the 162SL. When the switch is IN, the 162SL is in O VER E ASY mode. OverEasy is a process which allows the user to compress a signal more gently than a hard knee compressor through the threshold region. This action produces a much smoother “natural-soundi[...]
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increase in output level, regardless of how far the set threshold level is exceeded. This occurs in both OverEasy® and hard knee operation. Note that when a compressor is set to a compression ratio of 10:1 or more, it may be considered to be LIMITING the input signal, especially when a fast attack time is selected. Auto Switch : This switch sets t[...]
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Pe a kStopPlus ® Switch and LED : The dynamics of the dbx 162SL are set to handle fast transients through PeakStop ® limiting and the newer PeakStopPlus. PeakStop is the process first introduced on the dbx 165A compressor/limiter . PeakStop is made up of an extremely fast-reacting detector , called Instantaneous T ransient Clamp. The sound of Pea[...]
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By pass Switch and LED : This switch activates a hard-wire relay bypass system, which allows the audio signal to pass through the compressor directly from input to output, even when the 162SL is turned of f. That is to say that the XLR Pin 2 at the input connector is directly connected to the XLR Pin 2 at the output connector , and the XLR Pin 3 at[...]
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Note that the gain reduction scale is linear in dB as opposed to the standard VU markings on the upper scale on which input and output levels are monitored. This allows for easy visual indication of gain reduction, as it can be read in a fraction of a second, with only a fleeting glance from the engineer . In pu t Meter Selection Switch and LED :S [...]
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15 Au d io Input and Output Connectors: Each audio input and output channel of the 162SL offers both 1/4” and XLR connectors. The connectors are default wired in balanced mode (pin 2 /tip hot), although supplying an unbalanced signal presents no difficulty to the 162SL. Pin 1 Lift Switch : Associated with each input connector is a switch labeled [...]
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In a typical hard-knee compressor , the threshold control sets a reference level above which input sig- nals will be attenuated in the manner defined by the setting of the Compression ratio control. Input sig- nals which fall below this level will pass through unprocessed. With OverEasy compression, signals begin to gradually activate the 162SL&apo[...]
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T wo channels of program material do not necessarily constitute a stereo program. A stereo program is one where the two channels are recorded and/or mixed to create the illusion of a single unified panora- ma of sound. The stability of the psychoacoustic image of each sound source within the stereo spectrum depends upon its ability to maintain a sp[...]
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trols. This faster attack time allows the transients to by captured and compressed without overshoot and allows a quick release from compression without “punching holes” in the sound. There is no right way to set the Attack and Release controls. Generally, you want a slow enough attack to avoid pumping or breathing sounds caused when background[...]
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While PeakStopPlus™ is typically used as a protective function, creative effects can be achieved by inten- tionally driving the signal into heavy PeakStopPlus™ limiting. Great care has gone into the design of the PeakStopPlus™ limiter to keep it acoustically transparent. Appropriate use of it can protect your gear while keeping the signal fre[...]
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tions. V ocalists and musicians don't get the sense of being held back, but high average levels can be maintained without speaker damage due to excessive heat buildup. In circumstances where the 162SL is expected to cause no change in gain unless an emergency arises (wildly excessive levels), some operators set the compression ratio to ∞ :1,[...]
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not cause compression, and the program is not subject to the phase shift normally caused by program equalization. During the recording of cymbals and tom-toms, a compressor with an equalizer in the sidechain path can help prevent tape saturation. The equalizer can be adjusted for boost with a peak of about 5kHz, causing the cymbal to be compressed [...]
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Anticipated Compression By feeding the program directly to the 162SL's sidechain return and sending the audio signal through a delay line before the audio input, the unit can anticipate the need for a gain change. See diagram on the following page. With some experimentation, the effect can be that of zero attack time at a given fre- quency. Ad[...]
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If you require technical support, contact dbx Customer Service. Be prepared to accurately describe the problem. Know the serial number of your unit - this is printed on a sticker attached to the rear panel. If you have not already taken the time to fill out your warranty registration card and send it in, please do so now. Before you return a produc[...]
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INPUTS Connectors: Female XLR and 1/4” TRS (Pin 2 and Tip hot) T ype: Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered. Impedance: Balanced > 50 k Ω , unbalanced > 25 k Ω . Maximum Input Level: >+24dBu balanced and unbalanced. CMRR: >40dB; typically > 55dB at 1kHz OUTPUTS Connectors: Male XLR and 1/4” TRS (Pin 2 and Tip hot) T[...]
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FUNCTION SWITCHES Sidechain: Routes external sidechain input signal to the detector . OverEasy ® : Activates the OverEasy‚ compression function. Auto: Activates automatic program-dependent attack and release times, disabling the manual attack and release controls. PeakStopPlus ® :A ctivates the Intelligent Predictive Limiting® (Stage 2) sectio[...]
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® 8760 South Sandy Pkwy . Sandy , Utah 84070 Phone: (801) 568-7660 F ax: (801) 568-7662 Questions or comments? E•mail us at: customer@dbxpr o .com or visit our W orld Wide W eb home pag e at: www .dbxpr o .com 18-0280-A[...]