SMART COMPRESSOR USERS MANUAL Version 1.0 1997, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Incorporated. All rights reserved.
WARRANTY PreSonus Limited Warranty PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. warrants this product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase. This warranty is enforceable only by the original retail purchaser. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Overview A Word About Compression 4 1.1 Introduction 6 1.2 Features 6 2 Controls & Connections 2.1 Front Panel Basic Layout 8 2.2 Back Panel Basic Layout 12 2.3 Presets 14 3 Basic Setup & Operation 3.1 Quick Start 18 3.2 Basic Connections 19 3.3 Basic Operating Procedures 21 4 4.
1 OVERVIEW A Word About Compression . . . . Punch, apparent loudness, presence just three of many terms used to describe the effects of compression/ limiting. Compression and limiting are forms of dynamic range (volume) control. Audio signals have very wide peak to average signal level ratios (sometimes referred to as dynamic range which is the difference between the loudest level and the softest level).
OVERVIEW much compression destroys the acoustical dynamic response of a performance. (Over compression, however, is used by some engineers as an effect, and with killer results!) Compressor/limiters are commonly used for many audio applications. A kick drum can get lost in a wall of electric guitars. No matter how much level is increased, the kick drum stays lost in the mud.
OVERVIEW 1 . 1 Thank I N T R O D U C T I O N you for purchasing the PreSonus Blue Max smart compressor/limiter with presets. Your Blue Max was designed with you, the end user in mind. As far as we know, it is the only compressor in the world with built-in compression presets. The presets were created not only to assist in setting up the compressor but to offer you the experience of professional engineers in using compression.
OVERVIEW • PRESETS. There are 15 studio proven settings for voice, percussion, fretted instruments, keyboards, stereo processing and effects. • VARIABLE INPUT CONTROL. In addition to normal stereo inputs the input control allows low signal levels such as direct output of electric guitars and basses to be increased to optimum levels. • MANUAL MODE. Full operator control of ratio, attack and release is offered in manual mode. • STEREO INPUTS/OUTPUTS.
2 CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2 . 1 F R O N T P A N E L B A S I C L A Y O U T The front panel on the Blue Max is divided into three sections. These are: 1. Presets: Fifteen detented preset positions and Manual select. The Presets for the Blue Max are controlled by this sixteen position rotary encoder. As the encoder is rotated, parameters are digitally switched, simultaneously controlling attack, release, ratio and threshold. 2.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS The Input control adjusts the gain on the input amplifiers for both channels. Amplification gain varies widely from -20dB to +40dB. The large range is necessary to amplify instruments such as guitar. Thus the input stage to the Blue Max is actually a pre-amp. Note: The input control is always active, even in manual mode. Ratio Ratio sets the compression slope. This is defined as the output level versus the input level.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS Attack and Release Attack sets the speed at which the compressor acts on the input signal. A slow attack time (fully clockwise) allows the beginning envelope of a signal (commonly referred to as the initial transient) to pass through the compressor uncompressed, whereas a fast attack time (fully counter-clockwise) immediately subjects the signal to the ratio and threshold settings of the compressor.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS after processing. 0dB on the meter is referenced to the +4/-10 switch on the rear of the unit. In +4 mode, 0dB = +4dBu. In -10 mode, 0dB = -10dBV. Gain Reduction Meter The Gain Reduction meter indicates the amount of gain being reduced by the compressor in dB. 3. Output & Pushbuttons Output Level Control The Output control is used to set the desired output of the Blue Max. It is sometimes referred to as gain makeup control.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS Process In/Out The Process button is similar to a bypass button except that the signal is still effected by the Input of the Blue Max. Pushed in, the Blue Max is processing the signal (compressing). Pushed out, the Blue Max is no longer compressing the signal, however the input gain setting remains active. 2 . 2 B A C K P A N E L L A Y O U T Input The input jack accepts unbalanced tip-sleeve connectors. The input can handle up to +24dBu unbalanced levels.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS signal can then be processed by an equalizer for example to reduce sibilance (de-essing) in a vocal track. The signal is then returned to the unit via the sleeve of the connector. The signal sent to the sleeve could be that of a narrator or vocalist. In this application, the audio that you are passing through the compressor will automatically duck when the narrator speaks or vocalist sings.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS It moves the vocal more up front in the mix. 3 Threshold Ratio Attack Release -3.3dB 2.8:1 0.002mS 38mS SCREAMER - For loud vocals. Fairly hard compression for a vocalist who is on and off the microphone a lot. It puts the voice in your face. Threshold Ratio Attack Release -1.1dB 3.8:1 0.002mS 38mS Perc. 1 SNARE/KICK - Allows the first transient through and compresses the rest of the signal giving a hard snap up front with a longer release.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS electric bass and give you control for more consistent level. 2 Threshold Ratio Attack Release -4.4dB 2.6:1 45.7mS 189mS ACOUSTIC GUITAR - This setting accentuates the attack of the acoustic guitar and helps maintain an even signal level keeping the acoustic guitar from disappearing in the track. 3 Threshold Ratio Attack Release -6.3dB 3.4:1 188mS 400mS ELECTRIC GUITAR - A setting for crunch electric rhythm guitar.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 3 ORCHESTRAL - Use this setting for string pads and other types of synthesized orchestra parts. It will decrease the overall dynamic range for easier placement in the mix. Threshold Ratio Attack Release 3.3dB 2.5:1 1.8mS 50mS Stereo 1 STEREO LIMITER - Just as the name implies. A hard limiter setting (brick wall) ideal for controlling level to the 2 track mixdown deck or stereo output. 2 Threshold Ratio Attack Release 5.5dB 7.1:1 0.
CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2 PUMP - Make the Blue Max pump up the prime. A setting for making the compressor pump in a desirable way. This effect is good for snare drum to increase the length of the transient by bringing the signal up after the initial spike. Very contemporary. Threshold Ratio Attack Release 0dB 1.9:1 1mS 0.
3 BASIC SETUP & OPERATION 3 . 1 Q U I C K S T A R T 1. Connect your Blue Max using one of the diagrams below. 2. Select either +4 or -10 operating level. (Reminder: +4 is for pro levels such as consoles, -10 is for consumer levels or instruments) 3. Select your preset. (Refer to the preset descriptions above. Remember that the Ratio, Attack and Release knobs are only active in Manual mode.) 4. Push the Process button 5. Turn the Input knob all the way to -20 (counter-clockwise).
BASIC SETUP & OPERATION 3 . 2 B A S I C C O N N E C T I O N S Inserting into your mixers insert point. Note: If you dont get any signal flow at first, try swapping the input and output connections.
BASIC SETUP & OPERATION Connecting your instrument, mixer or tape machine. Connecting for de-essing or spectral processing.
BASIC SETUP & OPERATION Connecting for stereo operation. 3 . 3 B A S I C O P E R A T I N G P R O C E D U R E S Setting Compression Amount Your Blue Max was designed with a fixed threshold mode of operation. This differs from other compressors in the fact that there is no threshold control. This offers the unique ability to immediately hear the sometimes subtle differences between presets which each have unique threshold settings.
BASIC SETUP & OPERATION from the signal using the Process button to listen to the changes in your sound. In modern recording practice, it is customary to adjust the Output control such that the Input and Output level are of equal amounts according to the Input/Output meter. This gives you an equal level output so that you can switch processing in and out to compare difference. Mono Operation Your Blue Max was designed with a high gain mono input to act as a preamp for instruments such as guitar and bass.
BASIC SETUP & OPERATION the 12oclock positions. You may also want to start with one of the preset settings as described above.
4 TECHNICAL 4 . 1 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S Number of Channels.............................................................. 2 Dynamic Range ...........................................................>115dB Signal to Noise Ratio.....................................................>95dB Headroom ....................................................................+24dBu Frequency Response........................................10Hz to 50kHz Crosstalk.......................................................
