SPL Frontliner Modular Recording Channel - Manual (Page 20)

20
Frontliner
Compressor/Limiter
Control Elements
ATTACK with cruise control: AUTO mode
The disadvantage of a usual ATTACK control: the setting refers to one critical moment, but it is
not optimal in every moment. But when you switch to AUTO mode, the ATTACK settings inter-
actively respond to the input signal curves. Moreover, the automation can still be influenced
manually. With the ATTACK control you can determine the range in which the automation sets
it’s values. Much like a cruise control resumes up to the set speed, the AUTO mode does the
same for the (automated) ATTACK time settings. The more you turn ATTACK to the right, the
broader is the range for the automation to set time values – the ATTACK setting you have chosen
is the maximum ATTACK time the automation applies.
RELEASE
The RELEASE control determines the time the compressor needs to get back to the initial
value after a level reduction. Turned fully left this time is ca. 0.03 seconds, or ca. 2 seconds
for fully right.
Just like setting the ATTACK it can be difficult to find perfect RELEASE settings – for the same
compromising reason. Fast transients need short RELEASE times, but processing each and
every dynamic change bears the danger to produce rough, distorted sounds. Longer RELEASE
times sound smoother, but now transients may slip through. Again the AUTO mode can help
to achieve better results.
RELEASE with cruise control: AUTO mode
The AUTO mode for RELEASE first determines the average level of the signal. Then the auto-
mation refers to this level to achieve a balanced control characteristic: short and loud peaks
can be processed very fast, but especially with complex material (summed signals) not every
small peak near the average level is included into the processing.
The RELEASE automation can be influenced manually, too: the shorter the RELEASE time
ist set, the smaller is the range in which the processing follows the signal. Thus, with short
RELEASE times the processing follows very precisely and nearly “sticks” to the signal curve.
Short RELEASE times are for example adequate for percussive signals. If you apply longer
RELEASE times, the range is getting broader. Medium to slow settings can be recommended
for summed signals.
The AUTO switch activates ATTACK and RELEASE automation simultaneously. It is always
very effective to gain maximum loudness with minimum consequences in a musical sense.
This applies to all kinds of signals, from percussive sounds to vocals and instruments, and
aside from single tracks especially also to the complex structures of summed signals ... not to
mention a kind of signal that’s as difficult as it is common, called “untrained voice”.
MAKE UP
With the MAKE UP control you can make up the output gain that’s lost through compression.
It changes the output level within a range of 0 dB to +20 dB. Setting is very easy when you
switch the VU/GR switch below the VU meter to “GR” (GR=gain reduction). If for example the
loudest peal causes a maximum reduction of -9 dB, you adjust the MAKE UP control to +9dB.
Switch the compressor out now to perceive the loudness gain.
RELEASE
0.03
0
.05
0.
09
0
.15
0.
25
0.4 0.65
1
.0
1.3
1
.8
2
.0
s
ON AUTO
ON AUTO
MAKE-UP
0
0
.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8
9
10
1
2 1
4
16
1
9
2
0
dB