Thermionic Culture THE PHOENIX SB Stereo valve compressor - Manual (Page 6)

©Thermionic Culture Ltd, July 2011 5
3 Controls & operation
3.1 Output Trim Control
This control is used to trim the output levels when
compressing a stereo mix. Its function occurs after the
electronics and therefore reduces the maximum output
level (MOL) and noise.
For operation at line level (+4dBV), this control is best
left at around 7. For -10dBV operation it should be set
to 2.
3.2 Gain Control
For line level and medium compression, this control
should be set, typically, to between 3 and 5.
3.3 Attack Control
The attack control varies the rate at which the
compressor starts to react. Attack rates of between
4ms (fully anti-clockwise) and 120ms (fully clockwise)
can be achieved. This control is typically set to 3 for
normal operation. Slow attack rates make the
compressor less efficient, but can be effective for
percussion.
3.4 Release Control
The release control varies the rate at which the
compressor ‘lets go’ of the input signal. Release varies
from 40ms (fully anti-clockwise) to 2.4s (fully
clockwise), typically. Faster release times can give
rise to low frequency distortion. A typical setting for
normal operation of the release control is 3.