Crane Song STC-8 - Manual (Page 10)

METER
The meter has three modes of operation. In the output mode the meter appears as a bar graph.
0 VU is referenced to +4dBm. In the PK mode the meter appears as a dot and shows the amount
of head room by showing peak level below clipping. The third mode shows gain reduction. This
also appears as a dot type display. The red OL LED lights with clipping in the output stage and
the green PK LED lights when the PK side chain takes control from the average side chain. Only
the left channel PK LED is operational in stereo link mode. The meter switch selects what is
being viewed and the mode that the meter operates in.
CONTROL DESCRIPTION (Cont.) PAGE 8
DISTORTION IN COMPRESSORS
Distortion in compressors is dependent on the RELEASE TIME and the RATIO. The higher the
ratio or the faster the release time, the greater the amount of induced distortion. This distortion
follows the low frequencies and the sound envelope. In all conventional compressors, tube or
solid state, this distortion is third harmonic. The distortion is third harmonic because of the way
the control circuits and gain control elements function.
Third harmonic distortion is a major part of what are called artifacts. Artifacts influence the sound
of the compressor and may or may not be musical. Third harmonic distortion is not a musical
artifact.
The STC-8 has the ability to change the type of induced distortion to second harmonic. In doing
this the non-musical artifact of third harmonic distortion is changed to the musically pleasing
sound of second harmonic distortion. The STC-8 is the only compressor-limiter on the market
that has the ability to change the induced distortion from third harmonic to second.
Changing the induced distortion from third harmonic to second harmonic results in new and
different sounds and adds warmth. This change allows the use of higher compression levels
with fast release times and still have the sound remain musical. This function is enabled on the
STC-8 by putting the MODE SWITCH in the KI position.