TL Audio 5052 - Manual (Page 15)

drive digital recorders. It is important to distinguish the difference between the
output gain knob and the gain make-up knob in the compressor section. The gain
make-up control is only active when the compressor is switched on. The output gain
control is always active but will have no effect on the compression characteristics of
the signal.
4.10 Bypass.
The Bypass switch is a convenient way of bypassing the compressor, EQ and limiter
sections on either channel so that the original and processed signals can be easily
compared. This avoids having to individually bypass each of these sections to hear
the original signal. Please note that all status LEDs remain active in these sections
even when bypassed, and the meters will continue to register any gain reduction
occurring.
4.11 What is Compression?
Compression is an essential but often misunderstood process in modern recording.
Put simply, compression reduces the difference between the loudest and the
quietest levels of an audio signal. This is known as reducing the “dynamic range” of
that signal and is a powerful tool for an engineer helping to avoid overloading,
distortion problems as well as raising the level of the quieter parts of the audio signal.
Before the introduction of compressors the only way this could be achieved was by
“gain riding”, whereby an engineer would control the fader manually in order to try
and anticipate very large levels (which might distort the signal) or very low levels
(which may get lost in noise). The introduction of compression devices meant that
this process could be controlled automatically, allowing the engineer to get on with
more productive jobs!
Many instruments and voices have a very wide dynamic range that need to be
controlled. A singer, for instance, may be singing quietly one moment and very loudly
the next, and unless compression is applied the vocal won’t “sit” correctly in the mix,
in addition to the problems of distortion on loud passages and noise on quiet ones.
Compressors effectively turn down the loud bits and turn up the quiet bits, to
achieve a more even and controllable level.
Compressors are often judged by their ability to control the dynamics without
creating noticeable audible side effects. Heavy compression can cause the signal to
pump or breathe with the onset and release of the compression. Some compressor
designs can dull the signal and lose the top end of the signal. The 5052 compressor