Drawmer DC2476 Digital Mastering Processor - Manual (Page 24)

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LIMITER AND STEREO IMAGE
The three-band limiter is designed to allow peaks signal levels to be controlled
without introducing audible side effects unless the amount of limiting is
considerable. This may be used to maximize the subjective level of recordings
being mastered without affecting the overall sound or peak level, but it is
also possible to adjust the release time of individual bands to provide the
most transparent results. The limiting threshold is preset to digital full scale
so that limiting only occurs when the signal level is such that it would otherwise
have clipped. Spectral changes can be made by balancing the level of the
three frequency bands in the Output section, and as this is still under the
control of the automatic gain management system, it isn’t possible to clip
the output signal.
Separate stereo width controls are also provided for the three frequency
bands, enabling the width to either be narrowed to mono or to be widened
further than the original. One major benefit of having independent width
control for each of the bands is to allow the high frequencies to be spread
across a wider soundstage without affecting the low frequency end. Excessive
low frequency widening may lead to phase problems, and in those instances
where a vinyl record is the end result, it may be beneficial to narrow the
stereo image of the bottom band, or even reduce it entirely to mono. This
can reduce cutting problems due to low frequency phase differences.
THREE-BAND TUBE SATURATOR
The tube saturation emulation in the DC2476 is based around an algorithm
that mimics the transfer characteristics of a typical triode tube. This introduces
both level dependent harmonic distortion and compression, making it possible
to recreate the tonal warmth associated with vintage tube equipment.
However, because the Tube Saturation section is spread over three frequency
bands, the enhancement effects of the tube emulation are confined to their
own parts of the frequency spectrum. The outcome is that the signal remains
smooth and musical, even when relatively high amounts of processing are
being applied. Furthermore, because the drive is independently adjustable
in all three bands, it’s possible to use this stage of the DC2476 to achieve
sophisticated spectral reshaping. For example, increasing the tube drive in
the high band creates an effect not unlike a harmonic enhancer, whereas
adding more low band drive adds bass energy and warmth. Control is
extremely simple as the only adjustable parameters are the drive settings of
the three bands.
OUTPUT
The Output section provides three level trims for the three frequency bands
prior to summing. Once the signal has been summed it passes through an
auto stereo fader.
The Fade out time may be adjusted from 1 second to 1 minute and a “fade
out” or “fade in” may be initiated by pressing the Adjust knob switch. Pressing
a second time reverses the direction of the fade. The Fade Up time is always
fast and can not be adjusted. When the Output page is left a Fade Up will
occur. As a Fade starts, the FADE LED is illuminated.
The second page of the Output section allows the user to choose from three
different fade curve shapes.