Carvin CG200 User Manual

CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA CG200 Optical Compressor/Gate INSTRUCTIONS

76-00120 0403

12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128

[phone] www.carvin.com

RECEIVING INSPECTION

INSPECT YOUR ITEM FOR ANY DAMAGE which may have occurred during shipping.

If any damage is found, please notify the shipping company & CARVIN.

SAVE THE CARTON & ALL PACKING MATERIALS. In the event you have to re-ship
your unit, always use the original carton and packing material. This will provide the
best possible protection during shipment. CARVIN and the shipping company are not
liable for any damage caused by improper packing.

SAVE YOUR INVOICE. It will be required for warranty service if needed in the future.

SHIPMENT SHORTAGE. If you find items missing, they may have been shipped
separately. Please allow several days for the rest of your order to arrive before
inquiring.

RECORD THE SERIAL NUMBER on the enclosed warranty card or below on this
manual for your records. Keep your portion of the card and return the portion with
your name and comments to us.

For your records, you may wish to record the following information.

Serial No._____________________ Invoice Date_______________

Congratulations on your purchase of the CARVIN CG200 two
channel Optical Compressor/Gate. The CG200 was designed with
the professional in mind. Your unit has been engineered and
assembled in the U.S.A., using only high quality electronic
components and uncompromising workmanship. The CG200 was
designed around hand matched analog optoisolators. Unlike many
compressor/gates which use higher noise VCA’s, the CG200 is
based on classic optical compressors from the 60’s that had that
warmth and softness that cannot be recreated with VCA’s.
Optoisolators are also known for their extremely low distortion.

CONNECTING UP

The CG200 can be used in various applications that require different
configuration within a sound system. Fig. 1 shows the CG200
connected between the stereo output of a mixer and the inputs of a
power amp. This is best for compressing or gating an entire main
mix of program material. Fig. 2 depicts a channel insert
connection. This is done with a TRS (tip send, ring return) Y-cable.
The signal is sent out of the channel, compressed/gated and
returned into the channel. This is a typical set-up on most vocal or
drum microphone channels. Fig. 3 depicts a mic channel direct out
to the SIDE CHAIN INPUT. The mic signal triggers the
compressor/gate .

GND
LIFT

1-800-854-2235

www.carvin.com

MADE

AUS

IN THE

CG200

OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE

SERIAL NUMBER

90-250 VAC

INTERNAL FUSE
10 VA 50-60Hz

STEREO

LINK

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

0 dBu
+6 dBu

0 dBu
+6 dBu

UNBAL UNBAL

UNBAL

CH1

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

UNBAL UNBAL

CH2

PROTECT

∞

5050

3030

2222

1919

1717

1515

1313

1212

1111

1010

9

8

7
6

5
4

3
2
1

0 dB0 dB

DCM1000

1000 Watt Power Amp

CLIP

SIGNAL

∞

5050

3030

2222

1919

1717

1515

1313

1212

1111

1010

9

8

7
6

5
4

3
2
1

0 dB0 dB

POWER

CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL TWO

CLIP

SIGNAL

POWER AMP

L-R OUTPUT

GND
LIFT

1-800-854-2235

www.carvin.com

MADE

AUS

IN THE

CG200

OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE

SERIAL NUMBER

90-250 VAC

INTERNAL FUSE

10 VA 50-60Hz

STEREO

LINK

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

0 dBu

+6 dBu

0 dBu

+6 dBu

UNBAL UNBAL

UNBAL

CH1

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

UNBAL UNBAL

CH2

∞

50

30

22

19

17

15

13

12

11

10

9

8

7
6

5
4

3
2
1

0 dB

∞

50

30

22

19

17

15

13

12

11

10

9

8

7
6

5
4

3
2
1

0 dB

∞

50

30

22

19

17

15

13

12

11

10

9

8

7
6
5

4
3
2
1

0 dB

∞

50

30

22

19

17

15

13

12

11

10

9

8

7
6
5

4
3
2
1

0 dB

GND
LIFT

1-800-854-2235

www.carvin.com

MADE

AUS

IN THE

CG200

OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE

SERIAL NUMBER

90-250 VAC

INTERNAL FUSE
10 VA 50-60Hz

STEREO

LINK

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

0 dBu
+6 dBu

0 dBu
+6 dBu

UNBAL UNBAL

UNBAL

CH1

INPUTS OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT

UNBAL UNBAL

CH2

PROTECT

∞

5050

3030

2222

1919

1717

1515

1313

1212

1111

1010

9

8

7
6
5

4
3
2
1

0 dB0 dB

DCM1000

1000 Watt Power Amp

CLIP

SIGNAL

∞

5050

3030

2222

1919

1717

1515

1313

1212

1111

1010

9

8

7
6
5

4
3
2
1

0 dB0 dB

POWER

CHANNEL ONE CHANNEL TWO

CLIP

SIGNAL

POWER AMP

L-R OUTPUT

OPEN/CLOSE

CD 1

DUAL CD PLAYER

OPEN/CLOSE

REV FWD

PITCH CONTROL

8%,12%,16%

-SEAMLESS LOOP-

PLAY/PAUSE

TRACK SKIP

RELAY

SHUTTLEJOG

CD1

0

+

-

CD 2

OPEN/CLOSE

REV FWD

PITCH CONTROL

8%,12%,16%

-SEAMLESS LOOP-

PLAY/PAUSE

TRACK SKIP

RELAY

SHUTTLEJOG

CD1

0

+

-

CD Player

Enable the STEREO
LINK switch so both
channels are controlled
by the settings on
Channel 1.

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

Enable the STEREO
LINK switch so both
channels are controlled
by the settings on
Channel 1.

Connect the CG200 between the CD
player and the mixer. Use a
standard unbalanced 1/4” cable and
“half insert” into the INSERT jack on
the mixer and connect the other end
to the SIDE CHAIN INPUT on the
CG200. Connect a vocal mic to the
same channel as the insert cable on
the mixer. The CG200 will
compress the CD audio whenever
someone speaks into the mic.

c

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz TO 20kHz +/- 1dB

DYNAMIC RANGE: 115dB

MAX INPUT LEVEL: +20dBu

THD+N: LESS THAN 0.002% 20Hz TO 20kHz,

NO COMPRESSION/GATING, 0dB INPUT
LESS THAN 0.05%, ANY AMOUNT OF
COMPRESSION, 0dB INPUT
ATTACK AND RELEASE TIMES NOMINAL

INPUT IMPEDANCE: 20K BALANCED XLR

CROSSTALK: <-90dB 20Hz TO 20kHz

OUTPUT GAIN: -∞ TO +12dB
COMPRESSOR

THRESHOLD RANGE: -30bB to +20dB

RATIO: 2:1 TO 20:1

ATTACK TIME: 4mS TO 400mS

RELEASE TIME: 10mS TO 2 SEC

GATE

THRESHOLD RANGE: OFF(OPEN GATE) TO +10dB

RATIO: 1:1(OFF) TO 30:1

RELEASE TIME: 1mS TO 2 SEC

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS: XLR BALANCED AND 1/4” UNBALANCED

SIDECHAIN INPUT: 1/4” UNBALANCED

INPUT LEVEL SELECTION: 0dBu or +6dBu

POWER REQUIREMENTS: 4VA 90-250VAC, 50/60Hz SWITCHING SUPPLY

FUSE: INTERNAL 1.5A FAST BLOW

DIMENSIONS: 1 3/4”H x 19”W x 6”D

SHIPPING WEIGHT: 7 LBS

CG200 SPECIFICATIONS

1. GAIN REDUCTION LED METER

Shows how much gain reduction (in dB) that is taking place
whether compression, gating or both.

2. INPUT/OUTPUT LED METER

Shows the incoming signal or output signal level (in dB) depending
on the position of the meter in/out switch.

3. METER IN/OUT SWITCH

When this switch is “IN”, the input/output meter shows the input
signal level. When “OUT”, the meter shows output level.

4. BYPASS SWITCH

With this switch “IN”, the signal passes with no processing. Note:
The OUTPUT GAIN knob will still control the output level even when
the CG200 is set to bypass.

5. BYPASS INDICATOR

This LED illuminates when the unit is bypassed.

6. POWER INDICATOR

This LED illuminates when power to the unit is on.

7. POWER SWITCH

Push this switch to the "ON" position to apply power to the unit. The
power indicator LED will light to show the CG200 is on.

8. THRESHOLD

The THRESHOLD is the signal level where compression begins. All
incoming signals above this threshold will be compressed
according to the RATIO control. If no compression is desired, and
use of the gate is desired by itself, turn the THRESHOLD control
clockwise to "OFF"

9. RATIO:

The RATIOis the amount of compression applied to the signal above
the threshold setting. The numbers 2 through 20 are the dB of input
signal required to achieve a 1 dB output increase. 2:1 is the most

subtle. 20:1 is the most extreme and will produce a more
"squashed" sound. High ratio settings can be used for limiting.

10. ATTACK:

Delay (in milliseconds) is “before compression takes place.” A
short attack time will respond much faster to signal dynamics than
a longer setting. Increase this setting if you want the initial hit
from a snare or punch from a bass to get through before
compressing the signal.

11. RELEASE:

Time (in milliseconds) in which compression is held after the
initial attack. The shorter the release time, the closer the
compressor follows the signal dynamics. Longer release times will
tend to make the sound more "squashed".

12. OUTPUT GAIN:

Output signal level. Use this after setting the compressor to make
up the over all signal level lost due to compression.

13. GATE THRESHOLD:

Signal level where “gating begins.” All incoming signals below this
threshold will be attenuated according to the GATE RATIO control.
Any signals above this threshold will be passed unaffected (unless
compression is on). If no gating is desired, turn this control fully
counter clockwise to the "OFF" position.

14. GATE RATIO:

Amount of attenuation applied to the signal below the gate
threshold level. Setting the GATE RATIO to 1:1 will effectively turn
gating off. A setting of 30:1 will attenuate all incoming signals
below the gate threshold by 30dB.

15. GATE RELEASE:

Amount of time after signal reaches the Gate Threshold before
gating turns on. The shorter the setting, the more "choppy" and
tighter the effect. The longer the time, the smoother the effect but
the more un-wanted noise will pass.

1

3

2

4

5

7

6

FRONT PANEL:

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

COMPRESS A STEREO MIX
CONNECTION METHOD: STEREO L-R MIX (see fig. 1)

To compress a stereo mix, depress the STEREO LINK button. Start with a
low RATIO setting. Set the THRESHOLD for a bit of Gain Reduction and
set the ATTACK on a slow setting. Raise the RATIOfor more compression
if needed.

EVEN OUT VARIOUS VOCAL MICS
CONNECTION METHOD: CHANNEL INSERT (see fig. 2)

In a situation where there are various vocalists with different dynamics, it
is best to compress each mic channel before adding each mic to the mix.
Start with a medium ATTACK setting on each mic. Set the RELEASE time

to a slow setting. Set the compression RATIO to 4:1. Set the
THRESHOLD so the GAIN REDUCTION meters show 9dB of gain
reduction. Increase the compression RATIO as needed. Soft vocal signals
may require a higher RATIO setting.

BASS GUITAR, ELECTRIC GUITAR COMPRESSION
CONNECTION METHOD: CHANNEL INSERT (see fig. 2)

To increase Bass sustain and reduce transient spikes, set the
compression RATIO around 4:1, set the THRESHOLD at 9dB of gain
reduction. Use a higher RATIO setting (5:1 or higher) to add sustain to
Guitar signals. Set the THRESHOLD as needed.

Compressor/Gate Applications