User Manual

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On vocal bus or piano, longer release times and auto release
are very useful. However if you want colourful compression on
your drum bus, faster release times are worth trying. Start at 0.1
sec and work backwards until you get a suitably balanced effect.
Auto release utilises an adapative circuit that alters its release
time in a program dependent manner. It is fantastically smooth
and well suited to mix bus duty and also excels on vocal duties.
Gain Make-Up
With a range of 20dB, the gain make-up control can be used to
restore program material level after compression, thus reducing
the dynamic range but preserving the overall output level.
Compression Threshold
ThethresholdcontrolisspeciedindBandsetsthepoint
at which compression begins.
There is a range of +/-20dB on this control. This compressor
has a relatively smooth knee but the threshold point is similar for
each ratio, making it predictable to set an operational threshold
andthenauditionratioswithoutre-adjusting.
Wet / Dry Parallel Compression
Parallelcompressionisapopularmixtechniquethatallegedly
started in New York. Globally adopted and adapted, parallel
compression is a fantastic way of preserving transient punch
whilst simultaneously reducing dynamic range, through
a form of upward expansion.
We have added this functionality to the Control 2802 bus
compressor where there is a dedicated control, however this can
also be achieved on the mix bus insert point by using the insert
sum mode which places the insert in parallel with the dry signal.
The wet and dry blend control on the bus compressor allows
you to “crossfade” between the uncompressed and compressed
signal. A very useful feature which allows more aggressive
compressiontobeusedwithoutsquashingallofthelifeout
of the mix – parallel compression = energy.
There are two useful starting methods when using
parallel compression.
One would be to set some gentle compression (low ratio) up
100%wetandthenjustedgebackwithasmallamountofdry
signal to add some punch back.
The other school of thought involves setting up some rather
aggressive compression (faster attack times and high ratios)
andrunningthedrybalancequitehighsothesmalleramount
of compressed signal adds energy and dynamic colour.
Compressor In
This illuminated push switch engages the compressor and also
the gain reduction meter, so gain reduction can only be viewed
when compression is active.
External Input
The compressor can be patched to its own rear panel
balanced I/O, thus removing it from the main mix bus path
and freeing it for use elsewhere in your mix.
The rear panel compressor I/O can be found in the bottom left
hand corner of the console if facing it from the rear.