Aphex 320D Compellor - Manual (Page 24)

320D
Compellor
Page 24 Page 25
ground noise, but below the lowest program signal expected. Typically, a setting of -30dB (at
about 9 o’clock) is satisfactory for all purposes.
If, for some reason, you want to prevent the Compellor from bringing up program fades below
a certain point, simply set the Silence Gate threshold to the level where you want the fade to
become “uncorrected”. The Compellor will then freeze its automatic gain control and let the
program continue fading out naturally.
8.9 Stereo Enhance
When the Stereo Enhance button is selected, the sidechain signals are coupled in a man-
ner which helps to push the stereo image slightly wider depending on the amount of com-
pression. This is purely a function of the interactive gain reduction of the two channels, and
does not matrix or modify the main audio paths. The effect is valid even when the leveling
is stereo linked. If the compression is stereo linked then the effects of “Stereo Enhance”
are eliminated.
8.10 Stereo Linking
Two link modes are possible with the model 320D. The first mode links only the leveling
systems of the two channels. The second mode links both leveling and compression. You
cannot link compression only.
8.11 Meter Selections
The Compellor’s dual color LED meters have a three position meter selector which is oper-
ated as a scanning push switch. Three LED’s indicate the meter mode as the selector is
repeatedly depressed to cycle through the selections. Selection 1 displays the Compellor’s
incoming signal level. Selection 2 shows the Compellor’s output level. Selection 3 shows the
Compellor’s VCA gain reduction level.
The audio level selections set up the meter in two colors to simultaneously indicate the aver-
age, or “VU meter” level, and the peak level. VU is shown in red and peak in green. In the
gain reduction setting, the meter uses two colors to simultaneously indicate the leveling and
compression gain control.
8.12 Limiter
The peak limiter has a very fast attack of less than 1 microsecond. This positively stops audio
peaks from escaping the VCA if the limiter is turned on. The threshold of limiting is about
14dB above the output zero VU reference level. With such a high threshold, the limiter only
activates occasionally when excessively high transients are present in the output audio.
8.13 Process Balance
This control allows you to balance the relative amount of leveling and compression being
used. Normally, this control is used with the Drive control to obtain the exact proportions and
depth of gain reduction desired. Process Balance should be set more towards Level (CCW)
for a more dynamic sound and more towards Compress (CW) for tighter instantaneous
dynamics.
8.14 Drive Control
This control sets the VCA gain ahead of the processing threshold and thus sets the depth of
processing for a given input signal. The higher the drive, the more gain reduction.
8. System Description