dbx mc6 Mini-Comp Manual - Page 5

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MC6 F

RONT

ANEL

GAIN REDUCTION (dB) METER:

This meter indicates the amount of attenuation of the input signal by the MC6's Compressor,

instantaneously displaying the amount of gain reduction achieved.The meter is always active,

even when the MC6 is in BYPASS mode.

INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL METER:

This 8-stage meter indicates, in dB, how far the input or output signal is below clipping or, in

other words, headroom. To maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (which results in the cleanest

signal) it is desireable to run your input and output levels "hot" enough that the -3dB (red) LED

just flickers on during the highest expected peak levels. If the -3dB LED stays on too much,

clipping is occurring and will audibly degrade the sound quality. In this case, turn down the

output level of the device feeding the input of the MC6. When the I/O METER switch is

engaged (in), the INPUT LED lights and the meter is displaying the input signal.When the I/O

METER switch is out, the input LED is off and the meter is displaying the output signal.

THRESHOLD CONTROL and LEDs (BELOW/OVEREASY/ABOVE):

Adjust this slider left to right to set the threshold of compression. Sliding to the left sets a

lower compression threshold and therefore results in more compression for a given signal

level. In hard knee mode the threshold of compression is the point at which the compressor

begins to compress the dynamic range of the signal. In OverEasy mode, the threshold of

compression is roughly the middle of the OverEasy range.

The three THRESHOLD LEDs indicate the relationship of the input signal level to the threshold

of compression. In hard knee mode, the green LED lights when the signal is BELOW threshold,

the red LED lights when the signal is above threshold, and the yellow LED does not light. In

OverEasy mode, the green LED lights when the signal is BELOW the OverEasy region, the red

LED lights when the signal is above the OverEasy region, and the yellow LED lights when the

OVEREASY switch is engaged and the input signal is in the OverEasy range. See Figures 1 and

2 on the next page.

The MC6's OverEasy compression permits extremely smooth, natural sounding compression,

without artifacts, due to the gradual change of compression around the threshold. With

OverEasy compression, input signals begin to gradually activate the MC6's internal gain change

circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level. They do not get fully processed

by the RATIO, ATTACK and RELEASE controls until they have passed somewhat above the

THRESHOLD reference level. As the signal level passes the THRESHOLD level, processing

increases until it is fully processed to the extent determined by the control settings.

In hard knee mode, (OverEasy inactive) the MC6 can provide abrupt compression effects as

well as hard-limiting applications. Note that when in hard knee mode the yellow OverEasy LED

will not light as the input signal passes across the threshold. The signal is either being

compressed (over threshold) or it is not being compressed (under threshold).