User manual SAMSON CCOMOPTI

[. . . ] C Class Signal Processors -7 -10 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -20 +4 VU SAMSON OPTICAL COMPRESSOR A U D I O Safety Instructions Caution: To reduce the hazard of electrical shock, do not remove cover or back. Please refer all servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. [. . . ] Engage the C com opti by pressing the BYPASS switch so that the GREEN LED turns on. Now press the METER switch to the out position so that the LED goes off, allowing you to monitor the GAIN REDUCTION. Note: In this default configuration, the C com opti is simply passing audio at unity gain with no dynamics processing. · Once you have set a good gain structure you can begin to compress your signal. Press the BYPASS switch to the IN position so that the green LED is on. Adjust the Ratio to 3:1, the ATTACK to 5 and the RELEASE control to 0. 3. Now, gradually lower the THRESHOLD level and listen for the compression. For a visual representation, the amount of compression is indicated on the GAIN REDUCTION meter. Now, you can experiment with lowering the THRESHOLD a bit and raising the OUTPUT level some. By lowering the THRESHOLD level you are adding more compression, so the level may drop. Use the OUTPUT level control for "make-up gain", getting back to unity gain (the same level), with the BYPASS in or out. The C com opti's are connected to the mixer's insert points using a standard 1/4-inch insert "Y" cable. See page 13 for a detailed wiring diagram. LIVE SOUND SYSTEM WITH STEREO COMPRESSION C com opti -7 -10 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -10 -7 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -20 +4 -20 +4 VU SAMSON SAMSON VU C com opti In this example, two C com opti's are connected, "in-line" between the mixer and the powered speakers, thereby compressing the full range signal from the mixer. The STEREO LINK on both units are connected together using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable. 10 Dynamics Processing 101 To begin to understand dynamics processing, we must first understand what dynamics are. Dynamics, or the dynamic range of a signal or audio device, is the amount of level between the softest and loudest possible output. Dynamics processing is applied to a signal to manage the changes in level. Various types of processing units are available to control dynamics including Noise Gates, Expanders, Compressors, Limiters and De-Essers. All of these processes have a unique effect on a signal, but one common element they share is that in one way or another they control gain. Some dynamics processors control gain in a subtle way by slightly reducing how soft and loud a signal is, while others make drastic changes in gain like reducing the signal until it's off. Applications for dynamics processing can be categorized by two distinct groups; first, to treat a signal that has an unpredictable dynamic range and make it predictable, and second, to create a "sound" by squeezing out the dynamic range. Whether used for a live sound application, recording, mixing or mastering, dynamic processors like the C com opti are valuable tools for controlling gain. The following is a basic overview of dynamics processing and how it is used to improve the quality of recorded and live sound. COMPRESSOR A good compressor is one of the most useful tools in live sound and recording. [. . . ] INSERT POINTS Many mixers today provide channel and bus or group inserts. Insert points are input and output patch points that interrupt the channel or bus signal so that external processors can be connected. Channel insert points are ideal for connecting to when using the C com opti to process a single channel like a vocal, bass or guitar. Bus insert points are ideal for compressing groups of instruments like vocals, strings or drums. [. . . ]