BSS Audio OPAL Series DPR-522 Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 16)

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6.9 Attack
Once the key level exceeds the threshold, the gate will start to open. The
time it takes to open is set with the ATTACK control. For conventional gating,
fast attack settings are usually desired to ensure that the minimum wanted
program is lost. However, unnecessarily fast attack times should be avoided
as they can produce a ‘click’. This click is not generated by the DPR-522 but
is an artifact produced by the action of quickly switching a signal. To prevent
this, increase the attack time until a compromise is found.
Very slow attack times are available for special effects or when triggering the
DPR-522 from either an external key or a DC or switch control to produce
smooth fades. Because the DPR-522 uses true logarithmic level control during
the attack phase, these fades will sound very natural.
The attack phase, once initiated, will continue until the gate is fully open,
even if the signal momentarily falls below the threshold level. This is
important as it allows for both a clean, 'chatter free' attack phase and ensures
that, especially with short hold and release times, the gate does not try to
follow individual cycles of the program.
Control operations
6.10 ADE
Auto Dynamic Envelope is a technique developed by BSS to help restore an
effective leading edge transient to the front of a gated program signal. As
stated above, it is often necessary to use a longer than ideal attack time, this
can result in the loss of part of the original signals’ initial transient.
ADE operates at the commencement of each attack timing period, and allows
the gate to ‘overshoot’, or provide gain, in a controlled way. This is most
effective on single bursts of repetitive program that are percussive in nature
and is used to restore ‘punch’ into the program sound.
In operation, and depending on the nature of the program, ADE can provide a
substantial subjective improvement to the sound and help to eliminate the
dead or gated signature that is often imparted to signals.