User manual PRESONUS BLUEMAX

[. . . ] SMART COMPRESSOR USERS MANUAL Version 2. 0 © 1997, PreSonus Audio Electronics, Incorporated. Updated by J-Luck 2004 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. To be protected by this warranty, the purchaser must complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase. [. . . ] 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. Full operator control of ratio, attack and release is offered in manual mode. ¼ inch unbalanced stereo inputs (left side mono) and ¼ inch unbalanced stereo outputs (left side mono) for stereo recording and mix down use. Full metering for input and output levels are available as well as separate meters for gain reduction. VARIABLE OUTPUT. Output control allows gain changes from - 20dB to +20dB. SIDECHAIN INSERT. Sidechain insert allows the Blue Max to be used for special processing applications such as de-essing and ducking. Internal operating levels are switchable from +4dBu to -10db V for system matching requirements. CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS 2. 1 FRONT PANEL BASIC LAYOUT The front panel on the Blue Max is divided into three sections. 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. Controls: & Meters Input The Input control adjusts the gain on the input amplifiers for both channels. For example, if you have the ratio set to 2:1, any signal levels above the threshold (note: threshold is a preset parameter in the Blue Max) will be compressed at a compression ration 4 of 2:1. This simply means that for every 1dB of level increase into the compressor, the output will only increase 1/2dB, thus producing a compression gain reduction of 0. 5dB. As you increase the ratio, the compressor gradually becomes a limiter. A limiter is defined as a processor that limits the level of a signal to the compression threshold. For example, if you have the ratio set to 20: 1, input set at 0dB, the output of the Blue Max will be limited to the internal threshold of the compressor, which is set to 10dB in manual mode. Note: The ratio control is only active in manual mode. 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. Release sets the length of time the compressor takes to return the gain reduction back to zero (no gain reduction). Very short release times can produce a very choppy or `jittery' sound, especially in low frequency instruments such as a bass guitar. Very long release times can result in an over compressed sound, sometimes referred to as `squashing' the sound. [. . . ] (Reminder: +4 is for `pro' levels such as consoles, -10 is for `consumer' levels or instruments) 3. Remember that the Ratio, Attack and Release knobs are only active in Manual mode. ) 4. Slowly turn the Input knob up (clockwise) until the Gain Reduction meters begin to move. Continue to rotate the Input knob until the Gain Reduction meters read between -5 and -7. [. . . ]