Carvin CG200 User Manual

CARVIN ENGINEERING DATA CG200 Optical Compressor/Gate INSTRUCTIONS

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.

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_______________

CG200 SPECIFICATIONS

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

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 .

POWER AMP

DCM1000

∞

∞

∞

∞

FIG. 1

		CG200	INPUTS
1-800-854-2235	OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE		UNBAL
www.carvin.com
INTERNAL FUSE	SERIAL NUMBER
		GND
90-250 VAC	USA
10 VA 50-60Hz		LIFT

L-R OUTPUT

0 dBu +6 dBu

CH1
SIDE CHAIN	OUTPUTS	INPUTS
INPUT	UNBAL	UNBAL
		STEREO
		LINK
UNBAL

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

CH2

OUTPUTS

SIDE CHAIN

INPUT UNBAL

0 dBu +6 dBu

FIG. 2

		CG200		CH1			CH2
			INPUTS		OUTPUTS	INPUTS		OUTPUTS
1-800-854-2235	OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE			SIDE CHAIN			SIDE CHAIN
www.carvin.com			UNBAL	INPUT	UNBAL	UNBAL	INPUT	UNBAL
INTERNAL FUSE	SERIAL NUMBER					STEREO
		GND	0 dBu			LINK	0 dBu
90-250 VAC	USA			UNBAL
10 VA 50-60Hz		LIFT	+6 dBu				+6 dBu

L-R OUTPUT

POWER AMP

DCM1000

∞

∞

FIG. 3

		CG200	INPUTS
1-800-854-2235	OPTICAL COMPRESSOR/GATE		UNBAL
www.carvin.com
INTERNAL FUSE	SERIAL NUMBER
		GND
90-250 VAC	USA
10 VA 50-60Hz		LIFT

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.

CH1			CH2
	OUTPUTS	INPUTS	SIDE CHAIN	OUTPUTS
SIDE CHAIN
INPUT	UNBAL	UNBAL	INPUT	UNBAL
	STEREO
	LINK
0 dBu	UNBAL		0 dBu
+6 dBu			+6 dBu
			Enable	the STEREO
			LINK switch so both
	CD Player		channels are controlled
			by the	settings on

Channel 1.

c

	76-00120 0403	12340 World Trade Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
		[phone] www.carvin.com

		2				6

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FRONT PANEL:

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	meter in/out switch.
3. METER IN/OUT
When this switch	“IN”, the input/output meter shows the input
signal level. When	the meter shows output level.
4. BYPASS SWITCH
With this switch	the signal passes with no processing. Note:

The OUTPUT GAIN knob will still control the output level even when the CG200 is set 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 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 the signal level where compression begins. All incoming signals above this threshold will be compressed

according to the	control. If no compression is desired, and
use of the gate	desired by itself, turn the THRESHOLD control
clockwise to "OFF"
9. RATIO:
The RATIO is the	of compression applied to the signal above

the threshold setting. The numbers 2 through 20 are the dB of input signal required 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.

Compressor/Gate Applications

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 RATIO for 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.