dbx DriveRack VENU360 Loudspeaker Management System - Manual (Page 89)

87
Limiter Parameters
• LIMITER [OFF, ON]
Turns the selected Limiter module on and off.
• THRESHOLD [-60 dB to 0 dB]
Sets the level at which the limiter will begin limiting the signal. The Limiter Threshold
Indicators (shown to the right) indicate when signal is below threshold, above
threshold, or in the OverEasy region.
THRESHOLD INDICATOR
Preset 1
1
EDIT
COMPRESSOR
HIGH LIMITER
MID LIMITER
LOW LIMITER
30 12 5 0
O
O
O
O
Signal Below Threshold
Preset 1
1
EDIT
COMPRESSOR
HIGH LIMITER
MID LIMITER
LOW LIMITER
30 12 5 0
O
O
O
O
Signal Above Threshold
Preset 1
1
EDIT
COMPRESSOR
HIGH LIMITER
MID LIMITER
LOW LIMITER
30 12 5 0
O
O
O
O
Signal Approaching Threshold
(OverEasy® Turned On)
• OVER EASY [OFF, 1-10]
One criterion that determines how a limiter will function is called the “knee”. The knee region exists at or around
the limiter’s threshold setting and determines how gradual or abrupt the limiting will be. A limiter with hard-knee
characteristics won’t limit the signal until it exceeds threshold and will provide a more abrupt and aggressively limited
sound, as well as retain more of the attack and level of the original sound. Conversely, a limiter with soft-knee
characteristics will begin limiting the signal lightly before it has actually exceeded threshold then apply full limiting once
the signal does exceed threshold. This can generate smoother, more musical limiting.
The OVER EASY parameter in the VENU360’s Limiter module varies the knee characteristics of the limiter. When set
to OFF, the limiter will function as a hard-knee limiter, making it sound more aggressive as described above. Setting this
parameter to a setting between 1-10 will cause the limiter to act as a soft-knee limiter, yielding more gradual, smooth,
and natural limiting. The OVER EASY parameter’s 1-10 range is referred to as VariKnee™. Lower values provide a
slightly softer knee than a hard-knee limiter. As you increase the OVER EASY setting, the knee softens, rounding out
the sound. This lets you choose the exact knee that is needed for the dynamic effect you are looking for.
Generally, a hard-knee limiter will sound louder, more aggressive, and more audible when limiting – although when the
VENU360 is configured for 2-way or 3-way operation, the output limiters become “band-limited”, making these artifacts
less audible. The softer the knee, the lower in level the source will sound, but the smoother and less noticeable the
limiting will be. Use proper judgement, depending upon the application and/or genre of music being reproduced through
the sound system, and experiment to find the best setting that works for your application.
• AUTO [OFF, ON]
Turns Auto mode on and off. When turned off, attack, hold, and release times will be determined by the ATTACK, HOLD,
and RELEASE parameters. When turned on, attack, hold, and release times will be program-dependent, meaning they
will adjust automatically and dynamically based on input signal characteristics. Note that when AUTO is on, manual
ATTACK, HOLD, and RELEASE settings will be ignored.
• ATTACK [100µs - 200ms]
Sets the speed at which the limiter starts to reduce the signal level once it has exceeded threshold. When AUTO is on,
this parameter is ignored and set dynamically.