Chandler Limited Zener Limiter - Manual (Page 2)

Controls and Features
FULL BYPASS - Each channel of the Zener may be fully bypassed by use of these pushbuttons.
Its main use is for direct comparison of dry and compressed sounds.
INPUT GAIN - The Zener has selectable input gain and input impedance via the input gain
toggle on the top right of the panel. This was added so the Limiter could more easily replicate
different versions of the RS168 and TG12413 Limiter. The high gain setting is 12db higher
and is similar to the “Vanderlism” setting of the RS168 Zener proto type (please refer to the book
“Recording the Beatles” for more). The low gain is closer to the TG12345 console input but is still
hotter than the unity gain input of the TG12413 mastering console version. Input impedance is
300 ohm in High and 1200 ohm in Low.
INPUT CONTROL - This is a 21-position gold contact audio taper switch that controls the level
going into the compressor/limiter. Simply turn it up to drive the unit into harder limiting.
THD - The THD toggle on the right top of each channel disengages the limiter threshold so that
the channel will stop limiting but signal still runs through the entire audio path and sidechain. The
effect is a smooth pleasing distortion with a high frequency bump caused by the discrete amplifiers
and zener diode limiting circuit. The INPUT switch is used to drive the signal to more or less
distortion and is marked in white on the front panel. Interestingly the THD function takes a clean
sine wave signal and gradually triangulates it as you increase the input control but importantly
does not clip the signal in anyway. It is possible to drive the THD past the 2% marking on the
front panel by increasing the signal into the Zener from an outside source.
IN LEFT IN RIGHT
INPUT GAIN
HIGH
LOW
INPUT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 2%
.04% THD
INPUT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 2%
.04% THD
THD
LIMIT