Operation Manual

Bus Compressor
Control 2802 Operating Manual 29
GAIN REDUCTION Meter
This is a 10-segment LED bargraph meter, indicating the
amount of gain reduction applied when compression is active.
The scale shows 2dB to 20dB of compression.
To keep the amount of bus compression at
“musical” levels, only the rst few LEDS should be
ickering.
Compression RATIO
This control sets the amount of compression. The options are:
● 1.2 : 1 (very gentle)
● 1.5 : 1
● 2 : 1
● 4 : 1
● 10 : 1
● 20 : 1 (close to limiting)
The ratio is the amount of compression applied once input
signal exceeds the threshold level. The options are specied
as a ratio of input vs output - for example, 2:1 indicates
that once the input signal crosses the threshold by 2dB, an
increase of only 1dB is presented at the output (i.e. gain
reduction of 1dB is applied).
Generally, low ratios such as 1.5:1 or 2:1 are good
for the main mix bus.
As the ratio increases, the compressor acts more
like a limiter (10:1 or 20:1). This can be very
powerful on dynamic sources such as drums or vocals.
The compressor uses a soft knee design to produce smooth
results. The compressor begins to act slightly below the
threshold, and this point is similar for each ratio. This makes it
possible to set the threshold, and then audition ratios without
re-adjusting the threshold control.
Compression THRESHOLD
This control sets the threshold level, and is variable from -20 to
+20dB.
The threshold level is the point at which compression begins.
ATTACK Time
This control sets the attack time in milliseconds (ms). The
options are:
● 0.3ms
● 1ms
● 3ms
● 10ms
● 30ms
The attack is the time taken for the compressor to react to
the input signal, once it reaches the threshold level, and start
compressing (apply gain reduction).
Slower attack times (10 or 30ms) are often
preferred for mix bus or program material, as they
will not affect transients or distort low frequency content as
much as a faster attack time.
RELEASE Time
This control sets the release time in seconds (sec). The options
are:
● 0.1 sec (100ms)
● 0.3 sec (300ms)
● 0.6 sec (600ms)
● 1.2 sec
● 2.4 sec
● Auto Release
The release is the time taken for the compressor to react to the
input signal, once it passes below the threshold level, and stop
compressing (release the gain reduction).