Omnia Audio Omnia F/XE - Manual (Page 45)

OmniA F/XE PrESEt EditOr | 43
GATE
When gate is set to ON, it will freeze the gain at the last level of processing action that occurred before the
audio signal falls below the threshold of operation. This control helps to minimize “pumping” and the
increase of background noise during pauses in programming.
MIX
The three multiband processors are mixed back together in the mix section. Use care in adjusting this
section, as too much level from one particular band may cause an excessive amount of emphasis to that
range of frequencies. Such adjustment may also drive the final limiter bands in that range of frequencies too
hard, causing the sound to become unnatural, dense, and squashed. As explained earlier, if equalization of
the sound is desired, it should be performed using the drive levels in the multiband section. The mixer is
primarily intended for minor “EQ” changes to the overall sound. There is a +/-6dB range of adjustment for
each band.
Final Limiter
Omnia F/XE employs a look-ahead limiter to provide absolute and precision peak control. This limiter has
been designed to minimize processing side-affects like Inter-Modulation Distortion (IMD), which are usually
associated with limiters of this type. Using an innovative design that cancels inter-modulation products
before they develop allows the limiter to sound extremely transparent. The limiting function is derived
using numerous control signals that monitor one another.
This type of peak controller is used instead of a clipper because it does not generate the same high levels of
Total Harmonic Distortion
(THD) as a clipper does. THD causes added difficulties in a coded audio system,
as the harmonics generated from the clipping action, create added artifacts in the encoder. These are
especially annoying at high frequencies.
On the other hand, a look-ahead limiter, yields extremely low levels of THD, although it will create some
IMD components which allows the audio coder to operate with minimal sonic artifacts.
There are tradeoffs in how each of these peak controllers sound when they are set to produce added loud-
ness. When a clipper is pushed, the audio may appear edgier. This is from the added harmonic content. In
contrast, the look-ahead limiter will appear busier, or dense, as the action of the control signal may be heard
when more limiting is applied.