Specifications

Q: What is this ’Leveler’ inside the NMP200?
The Leveler function, in the Gain Manager section of an NMP200, is an automatic gain control (AGC). This means that the
Leveler automatically adjusts volume levels up or down to compensate for signals that are softer or louder than normal.
Q: What can this ’Leveler’ do for me and my customer?
The two most common applications for the Leveler are to control music sources which have been recorded at different levels,
and to control different levels of speech caused by the person(s) speaking and/or their varying distances from the microphones.
Example #1
: A background music system utilizing a CD player as the primary source. Since CDs can be recorded at different
levels, the volume from one CD to another can vary significantly. In the background music system it is desirable for the music
to maintain a consistent level. A Limiter or Compressor could be employed, but they would only squash the dynamics, and
diminish the quality of the music signal. A Leveler, on the other hand, actually controls the overall level of the signal, without
adversely affecting the dynamics of the signal itself. Therefore, a Leveler can be used to provide a constant volume from the
system, regardless of varying CD levels. This is also true for systems with a variety of music sources (i.e...cassette, tuner,
etc.).
Example #2
: A courtroom with multiple microphones for the participants. Since an attorney might get aggressive (loud) and,
alternately, a witness may become timid (soft), the volume from one participant to another can vary significantly. In the
courtroom system it is desirable for all participants to be heard clearly. A Limiter or Compressor could be employed, but they
would squash the dynamics, and only on signals that were louder
than normal. A Leveler, on the other hand, actually
increases level when signals are softer than normal and
decreases level when signals are louder than normal. Therefore, a
Leveler can be used to provide a constant volume from the system, regardless of varying speech levels or proximity to the
microphones.
Q: How should I adjust this ’Leveler’ to do what I want?
1) Using a typical input signal, adjust the source output and the NMP200 input for proper levels.
(The NMP200 software input meter should indicate occasional peaks into the yellow, but never to the red.)
2) Select the Gain Manager section of the NMP200 software.
3) Bypass all Gain Manager functions except
the Leveler.
(This allows the Gain Reduction meter to be used for setup of the Leveler specifically.)
4) Adjust the Leveler ’threshold’ so the Gain Reduction meter indicates the desired amount of gain reduction.
(The amount of gain reduction employed on ’normal’ level signals equals the gain available for raising ’softer’ level signals.)
(Example: Play a normal level CD. Adjust for 6dB of gain reduction. CDs with lower levels can be raised as much as 6dB.)
(Likewise, ’louder’ signals will be lowered. The Leveler will attempt to bring softer or louder signals to the threshold level.)
NOTE: The Gain Manager provides gain reduction even on input signals of nominal level. Therefore, all subsequent software
meters will indicate the resultant lower level. This lower level can then be compensated for by increasing the input level on the
next device in the system (i.e...power amplifier).
CAUTION: The Gain Manager can increase gain for lower level signals. Therefore, once all of the system settings have been
adjusted, temporarily bypass the Gain Manager as a test of system feedback stability. If acoustic feedback occurs, reduce the
system amplifier level or use the NMP200 parametric equalizer to eliminate feedback nodes, before re-enabling the Gain
Manager.