User manual

P1 Audio Processor User Manual Page 27
Hold time is how long the expander waits before operating when the
input level falls below the threshold setting. The P1’s hold time is
programmed to follow the natural dynamics of the audio signal.
Short duration audio phrases have a short hold time whereas long
audio phrases have a longer hold time.
Release time is the time it takes the expander to reduce the audio
gain as the input level falls below the threshold setting. The P1’s
release time is programmed to follow the dynamics of the falling
audio signal. So a fast falling input signal, such as the tail of a drum
beat will set a fast release time and a slow falling signal, such as the
decaying note of a sustain guitar note will set a slow release time. In
this way the P1 release is able to track the natural decay of the audio
signal. The release time in the P1 has a programmed range from
90ms (fast) to 900ms (slow).
Expanders are often compared to noise gates, but in general use
expanders are more natural sounding because their control of audio
gain is directly related to the audio signal characteristic which is not
the case in a noise gate.
Expanders have a wide variety of uses in music recording but we
recommend they are normally used on audio material which has
already been recorded rather than when recording ‘live’. To do this,
connect your P1 as an effects device in your track mix down chain as
shown below.