Dbx Quantum User Manual
In-Ear Monitor Application Guide
Quantum
Digital Multi-Band Processor
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In-Ear Monitor Application Guide
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Quantum
dbx
Welcome! This application guide has been created to provide you with pertinent infor-
mation regarding the dbx Professional Products Quantum and its ability to act as a stand
alone in-ear monitoring processor.
Not only is the dbx Professional Products Quantum an ideal tool for any mastering project, but it has also been optimized to accommodate even the most scrutinizing in-ear monitor application. By offering five bands of parametric equalization and four bands of stereo
gating, compression and limiting allow the user to fine-tune the in-ear monitor system of
even the most discriminating ear.
The Quantum’s ability to allow the user to build custom configurations allows the user
to place the five-band EQ prior to the four-band compressor/limiter. This means that the
compressor/limiter not only adds dimension through the compressor effect, but it also acts
as a watch dog for limiting any unwanted volume spikes that can severely damage hearing.
Take the Quantum for a test drive as an In-ear monitor system
Quantum features:
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4-band stereo gating, compression, and limiting
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5-band parametric EQ with either adaptive or constant Q response
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High and low shelves with switchable slopes of 3, 4.5,
6, 9, and 12 dB/octave
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Pre- or post-dynamics positionable EQ
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5-band parametric sidechain EQ with adaptive or constant Q response
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Dual-mono or true stereo operation with true RMS
Power Summing™
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TYPE IV™ Conversion System with TSE™ Tape
Saturation Emulation
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Normalizer with flexible gain optimization
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Stereo adjustability
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Dithered outputs to 8,16, 20, or 24 bits
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Noise shaping
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Sample Rate conversion
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Low-jitter synchronized inputs and outputs, utilizing
dbx’s proprietary clock chips
Defining the Quantum In-Ear Monitor System
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Analog Input/Output Connectors
Each analog channel features both XLR and 1/4" TRS electronically-balanced connections that can
be used in balanced or unbalanced configurations.
MIDI In and Out/Thru Connectors
These connectors provide the QUANTUM with full MIDI functionality. The Out/Thru jack allows
you to use the QUANTUM at any point in a MIDI chain.
Sync In and Out Connectors
BNC connectors are provided for both clock in and out functions. The QUANTUM’s custom dbx
VCXO clock chips are designed for low-jitter performance. You may use the QUANTUM as a master clock source (i.e., you may slave other processors to the QUANTUM) or you may slave the
QUANTUM’s clock to any other source device.
S/PDIF Digital Connectors
The QUANTUM’s dual RCA connectors allow S/PDIF digital input and output. (The analog outputs
operate regardless of whether a digital output format is being utilized.)
AES/EBU Digital Connectors
AES/EBU input and output is facilitated through the dual XLR jacks.
IEC Power Cord Receptacle
The QUANTUM comes with an IEC cord and international power supply that accepts 100-240V, at
frequencies from 50-60Hz.
Analog Input and Output Level Controls
The QUANTUM’s analog Input and Output controls adjust analog audio levels at the input and
output stages. (Note: The analog output level controls do not affect any digital processing or digital output levels.)
The QUANTUM is designed to interface as easily as possible with your current gear. Its wideranging analog input and output gain controls allow connection at nominal levels of either 10dBV or +4dBu.
Front Panel
Rear Panel Connections
In-Ear Monitor Application Guide
Quantum
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In-Ear Monitor Application Guide
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Quantum
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Analog Level Meters
The analog level meters monitor the analog input and output signal levels.
TSE™ Audio Level Meters
The TSETMmeters monitor the level of Tape Saturation Emulation.
LCD Display
The large LCD display shows the various programs, curves, digital meters, parameters, and
modules that have been selected using the function buttons and/or the DATA WHEEL.
Data Wheel / Selector
The DATA WHEEL changes selected parameters, programs, etc. Pressing the DATA WHEEL
moves the cursor from parameter to parameter.
Function Buttons
The function buttons allow access to the QUANTUM’s various programs, modules, utilities,
and parameters.
Power Switch
The Power switch turns the QUANTUM on and off.
The Curve Window
After you have chosen a program, you may want to change some of the parameters to meet
your specific needs. One of the QUANTUM’s most useful tools for creating compression
curves is the curve window, which allows you to see the combined effects of dynamicsrelated parameters in a graphical format. The figure below shows the parts of the curve
window that are displayed as you edit gate, compressor, and limiter functions.
Front Panel (cont.)
Digital input /
output meters
(peak and average)
Fig. 1.1
Program
number
3 parameters
per "page"
Channel numbers
within program
stereo link indicator
Parameter
Parameter
page number
measurement
units
Chain element
identifier
Gain Reduction meter
Type IV™
conversion
indicator
Threshold
Meters
Dynamics
curve graph
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