Summit Audio Model DCL-200 Dual Compressor-Limiter Operating Manual IMPORTANT!: CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE HOOKUP OR OPERATION OF THE DCL-200. WARNING!: HIGH VOLTAGE. THIS UNIT CONTAINS NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. SERVICING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL OR FACTORY. DO NOT OPERATE THE DCL-200 WITH THE COVERS REMOVED. Summit Audio Inc. 1183 Baltic Suite A Gardnerville, NV 89410 Copyright 1992, 1997, 1999 Summit Audio Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed in the U.S.
Product Introduction The Summit Audio DCL-200 is a dual channel compressor/limiter with stereo linking capabilities. Based on a hybrid design, the DCL-200 combines the most desirable sonic characteristics of vacuum tubes with the increased reliability of solid state devices. DCL-200 circuitry incorporates selected 12AX7A vacuum tubes with high reliability 990 op-amps in a transformerless signal path, giving you an incredibly clean, precise sound, with the overtones and warmth of tube technology.
1. BYPASS: 2. GAIN: THE CONTROLS Removes the compressor/limiter from the signal path, although the tube circuit is left in the signal path. The meter will show gain reduction and output level as if the compressor/limiter is in the signal path. Sets the input level of the DCL-200. When linking both sides of the DCL200 for stereo operation, this control will still need to be set individually for each side. 3.
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Use Scenarios and set up Tracking, live sound, mixing: Plug the DCL-200 into your mixing console’s insert jack or patch bay. Remember that the XLR’s on the DCL-200 are pin 3 hot. Compressing a stereo mix: Plug the DCL-200 into the main inserts of your mixing console. Set the DCL-200 into Link mode to run in stereo. The AC Threshold, Slope, Attack, and Release controls on channel one (the top channel) will operate both channels.
Circuit Explanation Linking: The DCL-200 is organized so that in stereo link mode the AC Threshold, Slope, Attack, and Release controls on the top channel operate both channels. The channel 1 side chain is fed with the sum of channel 1 and 2 (combined mono signal). The side chain then generates the controls for both channels. The only problem with this method occurs if the stereo signal has a large out-of-phase component (180 degrees).
Side Chain: This connection allows for the insertion of an equalizer in the side chain to make the DCL-200 a frequency selective compressor-limiter. Program material with large amounts of low frequency may have the low frequencies attenuated in the side chain, causing the low frequency content to not affect the gain reduction. High frequency response of the side chain may be boosted to help prevent high frequency overload; the DCL-200 can become a “de-esser” in this mode.
A Word About Tubes The tubes that are used in the DCL-200 are selected to give the best possible performance in the position that they are in on the printed circuit board. Switching them to different positions will cause performance deterioration on the audio path. Replacing them with “gold” or high end tube types may not be desirable. In cases that we have measured, these tubes have shown higher distortion and noise as compared to the tubes we have selected.
Electrical Connections: (This DCL-200 is wired as a pin 2 hot device. Units made before March 1st, 2003 come factory wired with pin 3 hot.
Note on specifications: Summit Audio is uncompromisingly committed to excellence. All of our specifications are made with the latest technology and are UNWEIGHTED measurements. What does this mean? When measurements are “weighted” (e.g. “A” weighted, dB (B), dB C weighted, etc.), the measurement devices are basically EQed or filtered before the measurement is taken. This filtering was developed so that sound pressure level (SPL) measurements can more nearly match human’s non-linear hearing characteristics.
