User manual

P1 Audio Processor User Manual Page 39
microphones can be in excess of the recording system’s practical
dynamic range. In addition, the digital clipping caused by
overloading an A/D input is very difficult to rectify. Have a look at the
diagram below.
High quality condenser microphones have a useful dynamic range in
the region of 120dB, where measured from the highest signal
handling level (let’s assume a maximum acceptable distortion of
0.1%) down to the microphone’s noise floor.
The P1’s microphone input stage has a similar maximum dynamic
range (but a much better distortion performance) so it can process
the whole dynamic range available. The P1’s dynamic threshold
limiter can sensibly map this high input dynamic range into the
recording device’s available dynamic range.
The P1 sets a nominal maximum OUTPUT level of 0dB (actually
+7dBu or 1.735V RMS). This is mapped close to the maximum
possible input level of the soundcard, typically to -1dBFS. This
means that the P1’s output noise floor is of the same order as that
achievable by the sound card.