Crown Audio DBC Network Bridge - Manual (Page 66)

Operation Manual
DBC Network Bridge
page 66
5.3.8 Ambient Leveler
Starting in the Output Path window, you can access the Ambient
Leveler window (Figure 5.30) by clicking on its icon (shown above).
The Ambient Leveler expands the output channel gain to compensate for a
sensed ambient level. The ambient level can be sensed from any of the six-
teen Input Processing Sections, or the computed ambient level from one of
the 32 auto-mix groups. This feature allows the DBC Network Bridge to
maintain optimum signal to noise and intelligibility in environments with
varying background noise.
The software graphically displays the gain function, with line meters under-
neath the graph displaying the Input Ambient Sense level (green) and the
Output Signal Level (blue).
Seven parameters control this feature:
1. On/Off
Turns this feature on or off.
2. Sense Input
Determines the source for the ambient level that will do the adjustment.
3. Sense Threshold
Sets a level for the ambient sensor input threshold. The Ambient-Leveler
expansion will be inhibited for input levels below this threshold. This
action allows the Ambient-Leveler to suspend gain changes when the
ambient level is low and, along with Max Added Gain, prevent excessive
system gain. Control range is from –80 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.
5 Advanced Operation
4. Expansion Ratio
Determines how much the gain of the output channel will increase for every
increase in the ambient signal level above the Threshold setting. A 4:1
Expansion Ratio setting will raise the output gain 4 dB for every 1 dB that
the ambient signal increases. Control range is from 0.1:1 to 5:1.
5. Max Added Gain
Sets the maximum increase in gain through the Ambient Leveler. Control
range is from 0 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.
6. Attack Time
Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to expand its gain by
20dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.
7. Release Time
Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to compress its gain by
20 dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.
8. Program Level Dependent Mode
Allows the Ambient-Leveler expansion to be inhibited when the actual out-
put Program level is above a prescribed level. This mode prevents program
material 'feed-through' from artificially increasing the apparent ambient
level.
9. Program Level Threshold
Sets the output program level threshold above which Ambient Leveling will
be inhibited when in Program Level Dependent mode. Control range is
from –80 to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.
10. Sense Delay
Sets the delay after the output program level falls below the Program Level
Threshold before the Ambient Leveling begins. Control range is 0 to 60
seconds in 0.1 second increments.
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Figure 5.30 Ambient Leveler Window