beautypg.com

5 the side chain function – Behringer T1952 User Manual

Page 16

background image

16

TUBE COMPOSER T1952

Output

Input

Peak Limiting

Program Limiting

Release

Threshold

t/ms

Level

20 ms

10

20

30

5 ms

approx. 1 s

Fig. 2.3: IGC characteristic of the limiter section

The diagram illustrates the functioning of the IGC limiter. The solid graph represents the output signal, while the

dashed graph above shows the input signal response. The areas between the graphs represent the amount of

gain reduction (bright areas are “clipping areas”, i.e. signal peaks are radically cut off, dark areas show the

effect of the program limiter). The limiter is activated when the adjusted threshold is exceeded for more than

20 ms, so as to limit audible clipping to a very short moment. About 1 s after the signals has dropped below the

threshold again, the reduction is set to 0 dB, so that input and output signals are identical again (unity gain).
Basic settings of the peak limiter section
This is a good starting point for the peak limiter. The settings for the compressor can remain unaltered.

Control element

Setting

IN/OUT switch

IN

SC MON switch

OFF

LIMITER control

OFF

Tab. 2.3: Basic settings of the peak limiter section

With the LIMITER control you can guard subsequent electronics against overload. The LIM LED shows when

the limiter is active. When this LED lights up often, reduce the OUTPUT level in the compressor section.
If this results in an unwanted reduction of the sound pressure level it is also possible to increase the

compression. You can do this by either lowering the threshold or increasing the compression ratio. After that,

you can set the desired loudness using the OUTPUT control.

2.5 The side chain function

The BEHRINGER TUBE COMPOSER offers an exceptionally usable external facility by using the side chain

function. By activating the SC EXT switch, the TUBE COMPOSERs control path is disconnected from the

audio input and therefore interrupted. The audio input is routed to the SC SEND output and the SC RETURN

input now receives the new control signal which is derived from an inserted effects processor.
Please ensure correct wiring for mains powered units in order to avoid ground loops, as the side chain inputs

and outputs are unbalanced. The operating level of external units must be at line level (-20 to +10 dBu/unity

gain).
It is very common to make the response threshold of a compressor frequency-dependent, where a graphic or

parametric equalizer is connected to the side chain path. To retain the threshold setting of the

TUBE COMPOSER, unwanted frequencies should be reduced by an equalizer and the desired frequencies

should be kept at the same level. Should for example, the compressor be controlled by a narrow mid-frequency

band, it is advisable to lower the bass and treble controls. The middle frequency control remains at unity gain.

2. OPERATION