TDM Audio 32CL-2 v.2 - Manual (Page 22)

© 1996 TDM Design, Inc. Compressor/Limiter Owner’s Manual Page 22
tion, then either it is present in the signal source, or there is a problem with your sound reproduc-
ing equipment.
If you determine that the TDM 32CL series compressor/limiter is the cause of a distortion prob-
lem, make sure that the unit is plugged into a proper power source. Read the back panel of the
unit for the correct supply voltage and frequency (US models are set up for 110 VAC at 60 Hz).
Using a unit designed for 220 volt operation with a 110 volt outlet can cause distortion.
Check the peak light for the channel that you suspect is distorting. If the peak light is on during
the audible distortion then you are overdriving the compressor/limiter. Try reducing the output
gain by turning down the gain knob on the channel. If this fixes the problem, you need to find a
way to get more gain out of some piece of equipment further down the chain. If this does not fix
the problem, try reducing the level of the signal that you are feeding into the compressor/limiter.
If the peak light is not lit, the unit is plugged into the correct power source, the signal feeding the
unit is clean, and you are still getting distortion out of the output, contact your vendor, or call
TDM for support and/or service (see Contacting TDM).
Excessive Noise
The TDM 32CL series compressor/limiter has an excellent signal to noise ratio. If you hear exces-
sive noise in your system, try to determine its origin systematically. Remove each piece of
processing gear from the signal chain one at a time until you hear the noise go away. If none of
the signal processing units is the cause of the noise, then the noise is probably present in your
signal source.
If you suspect that the TDM 32CL series compressor/limiter is the cause of your noise problem,
make sure the unit is plugged into the correct power source. Read the rear panel of the unit to
determine the correct voltage and frequency (US models are set up for 110 VAC at 60 Hz). Using
a unit designed for 220 volt operation plugged into a 110 volt outlet can cause very noisy opera-
tion of the unit.
Check to make sure that the input signal light is on most of the time while an input signal is pres-
ent. If the input signal light rarely or never comes on, then the input signal is probably not strong
enough. Using any piece of signal processing equipment with an extremely weak input signal can
cause noise problems. If possible, increase the level of your signal source so that the signal light is
on most of the time, and the peak light flashes occasionally at the loudest points in the signal. Be
careful not to increase it too far or distortion can result. Note that when you raise the level of the
input signal, you must raise the threshold of the compressor channel and lower the output level of
the compressor channel to compensate.
Make sure that your compressor threshold is not too low. A threshold that is too low can cause a
lot of noise when no signal is present. If the compression light is on constantly while an input
signal is present, and you hear a lot of noise when the input signal is silent, chances are this is your
problem. Another symptom of this problem is having the output level of the channel turned up
really high, or having the level of some other piece of equipment after the compressor/limiter
really high. In these cases, when you remove the compressor/limiter from the chain, you usually
get a signal that much too loud. That means that you are compressing the signal extremely hard,