Sonnox Oxford Dynamics - Manual (Page 31)

6 EXPANDER
6 Expander
The dynamics’ Expander
section control functions are presented
similarly to the Compressor and Limiter
sections, except that a
RANGE control
is added. The architecture of the expander
conforms to what is often described as
‘downward expansion’, which means that
the application only works to attenuate
existing signals below a set threshold,
and cannot produce any additional gain for
signals above the set threshold level. In practice, this means that, although the purpose of
the expander is to increase dynamic range, it can only achieve this by reducing the signal
level in the first place.
Threshold
This sets the level below which the expander will become active.
RATIO
This sets the gain slope rate of attenuation for signals below the threshold, in
respect to the input levels.
RANGE
This sets the lowest limit that any attenuation caused by expansion can reach.
Expanders may be used for many purposes, both technically and artistically. These
include background noise reduction and file clean up, the reduction of ambient noise
disturbance in live recordings, presence and dynamic profiling of instruments, and
creative control of ambient reverb etc. Because the Oxford Expander has 20 samples of
signal preview, it is particularly useful for instrument dynamic profiling, as it can act on the
signal before gain control actually occurs, meaning that, for example, you can actually
profile the leading edge of a percussive attack.
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