dbx 1046 - Manual (Page 8)

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OverEasy® Switch - OverEasy® provides a smooth transition from the compressor’s linear region to the
compressed region. This smooth transition greatly reduces compression artifacts and allows higher compression
ratios while still maintaining the natural characteristics of the signal. The switch lights to indicate OverEasy®
processing is enabled. When conventional hard knee processing is desired, disable the OverEasy® function. See
Figure 1 below.
1:1
2:1
4:1
:1
− 15
− 10
− 5
0
+5
+15
+20
+10
INPUT LEVEL (dB)
OUTPUT LEVEL (dB)
− 15 −10 −5 0 +5 +15 +20 +10
RED
Below Threshold
Above Threshold
OverEasy Range
GR
EE
N
AM
BER
-15
-10
-5
0
+5
+15
+20
+10
INPUT LEVEL (dB)
OUTPUT LEVEL (dB)
-15 -10 -5 0 +5 +15 +20 +10
1:1 Unity
2:1
4:1
:1
20:1
RED
Above Threshold
GREEN
Below Threshold
Rotation Point Threshold
1:1
2:1
4:1
:1
− 15
− 10
− 5
0
+5
+15
+20
+10
INPUT LEVEL (dB)
OUTPUT LEVEL (dB)
− 15 −10 −5 0 +5 +15 +20 +10
RED
Below Threshold
Above Threshold
OverEasy Range
GR
EE
N
AM
BER
-15
-10
-5
0
+5
+15
+20
+10
INPUT LEVEL (dB)
OUTPUT LEVEL (dB)
-15 -10 -5 0 +5 +15 +20 +10
1:1 Unity
2:1
4:1
:1
20:1
RED
Above Threshold
GREEN
Below Threshold
Rotation Point Threshold
Figure 1: Hard Knee Compression Curve and OverEasy® Compression Curve.
Compressor Ratio Control - This control selects the ratio between input and the output levels for signals
above the level set by the COMPRESSION THRESHOLD control. It is adjustable between 1:1 and ∞:1. Note, when
OverEasy® processing is selected, the ratio transitions smoothly from the linear to the compressed region. As
the signal exceeds the threshold, the ratio approaches the ratio set by the COMPRESSOR RATIO control.
Figure 2 shows the effect of 2:1 compression on a signal as it rises above and falls below the threshold. Below
the threshold the signal is not affected. Above the threshold, the output signal increases by only half of the
increase (in dB) of the input signal level. In other words, with a 2 dB increase in input level, the output
increases by only 1 dB, hence the 2:1 compression ratio.
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
Time
Signal Level (dBu)
Below Threshold
Above Threshold
Input Signal
Output Signal
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
Time
Signal Level (dBu)
Below Threshold
Above Threshold
Input Signal
Figure 2: Compression Effect on Signal Level with a 2:1 Ratio at a -20 dBu Threshold
Input/Output Level Meter - This 8-stage meter directly reads the input and output levels when the rear-panel
OPERATING LEVEL SWITCH is in the +4 dBu position. In the -10 dBV position, the input signal is boosted by
11.8 dB (the difference between +4 dBu and -10 dBV) to convert a semi-pro -10 dBV level signal to the profes-
sional +4 dBu internal level of the 1046, while the output signal is attenuated by 11.8 dB to convert back to a
-10 dBV level. Since the meter is calibrated for +4 dBu operation, it reads about 12 dB higher than the actual
input and output signal levels when the OPERATING LEVEL SWITCH is set to -10 dBV.
Operating controls