Spl DYNAMAXX User Manual
SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB
model 9735
Manual
DynaMaxx
Compressor, Limiter, Noise Gate
and De-Compressor
By Hermann Gier,Paul Lentzen and Paul White
Version 2.0 - 05/1998
The information in this document has been
carefully verified and is assumed to be correct.
However Sound Performance Lab (SPL)
reserves the right to modify the product
described in this manual at any time. Changes
without notice.This document is the property
of SPL and may not be copied or reproduced
in any manner, in part or full without the
authorisation of SPL.
Limitations of Liability:
In no event will SPL be liable for any
damages, including loss of data, lost profits,
cost of cover or other special, incidental,
consequential or indirect damages arising
from the use of the unit, however caused and
on any theory of liability. This limitation will
apply even if SPL or an authorised dealer has
been advised of the possibility of such
damage.
SPL electronics GmbH
Office address: Sohlweg 55
D-41372 Niederkruechten, Germany
Postal address:P.O.Box 12 27
D- 41368 Niederkruechten, Germany
Phone +49 - 21 63 / 98 34-0
Fax +49 - 21 63 / 98 34-20
E-mail: info@spl-electronics.com
www.spl-electronics.com
© 1999 SPL electronics GmbH. All rights reserved.
DynaMaxx
Model 9735
Owner´s Manual
SOUND PERFORMANCE LAB
DynaMaxx
3
Contents
I would like to start with my thanks to all our staff, who created
what is to be described here.The importance of their exceptional
qualification and talents cannot be overestimated.Special thanks
go to Ruben Tilgner for his extraordinary work on time constants
automation.
Our products are often tested and compared in many publications and by our customers themselfs and constantly valued with
best results. I would like to pass on this broad appreciation to
those,who deserve it – my excellent colleagues.
Hermann Gier
Foreword
Thanks
Foreword .................................................................................................. 3
Thanks ....................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ............................................................................................ 4
Operation Safety ..................................................................................... 5
Connections ............................................................................................ 6
Tech Talk ................................................................................................... 7
Full-Band versus Multi-Band ............................................................. 8
Dynamic Intelligence: Attack time automation ......................... 8
Dynamic Intelligence: Release time automation .......................10
Threshold and Ratio ............................................................................10
Double VCA-Drive Technology
TM
......................................................11
Control Elements ..................................................................................12
ACTIVE .....................................................................................................12
Sig.LED ....................................................................................................12
COMPRESS ..............................................................................................12
GAIN .........................................................................................................13
SOFT LIMIT ..............................................................................................14
EFFECT-COMPRESSION ......................................................................15
DE-COMPRESSION ...............................................................................15
LED-Display.............................................................................................17
NOISE GATE ............................................................................................17
SIDE CHAIN .............................................................................................17
STEREO COUPLE ...................................................................................18
Power supply............................................................................................18
Specifications...........................................................................................19
Warranty ....................................................................................................20
Dear customer,
Thank you for the confidence you have shown towards SPL elec-
tronics GmbH by purchasing the SPL D
YNAMAXX.You have decided
to use a tool of high performance which sets you in the position
to have faster success and a better sound quality in your music
productions, live sound applications and pre-masterings. As a
typical SPL unit the D
YNAMAXX combines exemplary specifications
and high manufacturing standard with excellent sound quality to
provide you a precious component for recording purposes.
Please read this manual carefully to ensure you have all the
information you need to use the D
YNAMAXX. We wish you every
success with your new D
YNAMAXX.
Your Sound Performance Lab-Team
DynaMaxx
4
Part of the SPL Analog-Blue series, the DYNAMAXX is a new type
of dynamics processor that has both corrective and creative
applications in those areas normally addressed by conventional
compressors. In keeping with the SPL design philosophy,it incorporates many new features not found on standard compressors,
and a slightly unconventional approach to the control system
makes is surprisingly easy to use.
D
YNAMAXX also premiers a new facility, the DE-COMPRESSOR,
which may be used to counter the effects of overcompression in
previously processed source material. D
YNAMAXX can be used to
provide unobtrusive compression and limiting at the premastering stage,or to produce creative compression effects.
Why is D
YNAMAXX so different? Though auto attack and release
functions are nothing new, in the D
YNAMAXX design, the time
constants are automated in a very musical way.D
YNAMAXX adapti-
vely and intelligently optimizes all time constants in real time
during processing so that the compression characteristics are
continually matched to the source material. D
YNAMAXX is also the
first compressor to make use of the new THAT 2181 VCAs, and the
circuit actually uses two of these excellent VCAs in SPL’s Double
VCA-Drive
TM
mode configuration, which doubles the operating
range while increasing transparency and reducing distortion.
A benefit of the D
YNAMAXX circuit is that high compression ratios
do not affect high frequency detail – high amplitude, low-end
bass can be controlled without introducing pumping or other
negative side-effects. Similarly, complex stereo sources can be
processed easily and very musically. D
YNAMAXX has numerous
applications in recording and mixing, as well as for cost-effective
stereo mastering, and because of the level of intelligent processing within the unit, there are only two controls to adjust per
channel,making operation very intuitive.
CONTROL OVERVIEW
COMPRESS:
Sets the amount of compression, while the degree of gain reduction is continually monitored via the LED meters.
GAIN:
This is similar to the ‘make-up’gain control used on conventional
compressors and is provided to restore signal levels that have
been reduced by the compressor action. This control also
compensates for any gain increase in DE-COMPRESSION mode.
The control has a range of 20dB.
SOFT LIMIT:
Switches between COMPRESSION and SOFT LIMIT mode
featuring a gentle soft-knee-characteristic to minimize audible
side effects.
EFFECT COMPRESSION:
In this mode, the Release time is set to a fixed 60ms to produce a
'vintage compression' effect that works well on solo instruments
and occasionally voices.
Introduction
The DYNAMAXX is a new type of
compressor-limiter.
D
YNAMAXX premiers a new func-
tion: the DE-COMPRESSOR.
D
YNAMAXX adaptively and
intelligently optimizes all time
constants while processing so
that you gain optimum
compressor performance
throughout a song.
D
YNAMAXX is the first compressor
to use the new THAT 2181 VCAs
– in SPL’s Double VCA-Drive
TM
mode.
The applications are in recording,mixing,and mastering.
DynaMaxx
5
Operation Safety
DE-COMPRESSION:
converts the compressor to an intelligent upward expander that
allows you the de-compress highly compressed audio signals,
such as samples, keyboards sounds or previously recorded tracks
that have been overcompressed. For example, the sounds used in
most drum machines are highly compressed, but processing
them via the De-compress mode restores their dynamics and
vitality.
Each channel incorporates a NOISE GATE with ARC (AutoRelease-Circuitry), and this too is highly automated. In a mastering situation, it may be used to provide click-free gating at the
beginning and the end of a song.The CLOSE-LED indicates when
the NOISE GATE shuts.
Both channels of D
YNAMAXX are equipped with a 20-digit LED
ladder meter displaying gain changes to a resolution of 1dB.The
displayed values range from -10dB to +9dB.
Each channel also has an additional SIGNAL-LED which illuminates when the input signal is hotter than -40dB.
If it is required to patch in external processing, both left and
right channels have SIDE CHAIN inputs.If an acceptable sidechain
signal is being received,a LED on the front illuminates.
When processing stereo material, the STEREO COUPLE function
should be switched on so that both channels produce the samedegree of gain change. This is necessary to maintain a coherent
and stable stereo image. The front panel controls, including the
ACTIVE switch of channel 1,function as master controls in STEREO
COUPLE mode.
The housing of the D
YNAMAXX has the standard 19"- EIA format
and occupies 1U (44.45 mm) in your rack.When installing the unit
in a 19"-rack,the rear side of the unit needs some support,especially in a touring case.
The D
YNAMAXX should not be installed near units which produce
strong magnetic fields or extreme heat. Do not install the
D
YNAMAXX directly above or below power amplifiers.
Check that the voltage details quoted on the back panel are the
same as your local mains electricity supply. Use a minus (-)
screwdriver to set the voltage selector to the voltage for the area
in which the unit will be used.
Never cover up the ventilation slots on the top of the unit. If,
during operation,the sound is interrupted or indicators no longer
illuminate, or if abnormal odor or smoke is detected, or if liquids
are spilled on the unit, immediately disconnect the power cord
plug and contact your dealer.
Only clean your D
YNAMAXX with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Regain vitality and dynamics
from highly compressed
audio files
NOISE GATE with new “Auto
Release Circuitry”
20-digit metering with 1dB
resolution
SIDE CHAIN inputs for external
filtering or triggering
STEREO COUPLE mode
DynaMaxx
6
Connections
DYNAMAXX is fitted with both XLR-connectors and TRS stereo
jacks for balanced operation, though the jacks may be used with
unbalanced connections simply by plugging in mono jack-plugs.
The level difference that normally occurs when a balanced input
or output is used unbalanced is automatically compensated for.
Should the need arise to use the XLR connectors in an unbalanced system, pin 3 of the XLRs should be grounded. Inserting a
mono jack also unbalances the XLRs.
Both output stages operate in parallel, so it is possible to
connect two different destination units simultaneously, for
example to record to two different media at the same time or split
the output between a mixer and effects processor. However,only
one type of input (jack or XLR) should be connected at a time –
the D
YNAMAXX is not intended to be used as a mixer!
To ensure optimal signal quality, SPL has developed a new
hybrid-component balanced input/output stage using all lasertrimmed resistors with a tolerance of 0.01%. This approach has
resulted in an exceptionally high CCMR (common mode rejection:
-80 dB at 1kHz). As a precaution, before connecting the D
YNAMAXX
switch off the power to the unit and to all connected units.
SIDE CHAIN
Each D
YNAMAXX channel is equipped with a TRS jack sidechain
insert point so that an equalizer may be inserted to provide
frequency dependant processing. Connection requires only a
conventional insert Y-lead, where the TRS ring connection
provides the insert send signal and the tip the return. The front
panel LED lights when the side chain signal is of adequate level.
For example: Frequency dependent filtering
Connect the TRS jack to the Side Chain connector of the
D
YNAMAXX. The ring of the TRS jack carries the original signal into
the D
YNAMAXX to the input of the equalizer.The equaliser´s output
is returned to the D
YNAMAXX on the tip of the jack plug. A LED on
the front illuminates when a sidechain signal is present.
Other rear panel connections and switches:
• Voltage selector: 220-240V/50Hz or 100-120V/60Hz
• VDE/CSA/UL approved 3-pole power plug
• GND-Lift switch
1
2
3
Pin wiring: XLR connectors
1=GND 2=Hot(+) 3=Cold(-)
Pin wiring: Stereo Jack plug
Tip=Hot(+) Ring=Cold(-) Sleeve=GND
Pin wiring: Side Chain-Insert
Tip=Return (in) Ring=Send (out) Sleeve=GND
DynaMaxx
7
What are compressors doing?
A brief description of the
well-known problems with
standard compressors
Static or fixed time constants
are responsible for the nega-
tive side-effects.Music is not
static and the attack and
release parameters of instru-
ments or vocals change
throughout a song.
D
YNAMAXX ingeniously adapts
the time constants to the
music and generates better
compression set-ups than
standard compressors.
This section deals with the technical background of the
D
YNAMAXX and explains why we felt it necessary to do some things
rather differently to the way other manufacturers do them. We
will also explain the benefits of the D
YNAMAXX design.
Generally, the function of an audio compressor is to compress
the dynamic range of the source signal by altering the gain of its
signal path in response to the relative level of the signal as
compared to an arbitrary threshold level. In effect, this process
can be thought of as providing additional gain to low-level
signals or reducing gain in the presence of high-level signals.
Why are conventional compressors unsatisfactory?
One of the main difficulties in setting up a compressor is choosing the time constants Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release (in
short: ADSR). The most important time constants are Attack and
Release – in the context of gain control, Decay and Sustain are
generally fixed and in any event, they tend to play a minor role.
The inappropriate choice of time constants is mainly responsible
for the familiar pumping or breathing effects, though this effects
may be deliberately sought for creative applications. Unless the
attack time is set to be very short, fast transient attacks may get
through the system,because the compressor response is too slow
to bring them under control.
Threshold and Ratio are easier to set up, but when high
compression ratios are used, high frequencies tend to become
overcompressed,which makes the material sound dull or lacking
in presence. It is normal to set up compressors based on the
loudest peak in the program material, in which case the parameters are optimised for this moment in time only. The rest of the
time, the time constants are less than optimal. Taking into consideration that each musical instrument has varying attack and
release times, depending not only on the character of the instrument,but also on the way it is played, you can see that it is almost
impossible to choose a set of fixed parameters that will be correct
for an entire piece of music.
In modern music productions,vocals are often recorded directly
to a digital format, which means that gain control is very important due to digital systems’inability to tolerate excessive levels. It
is extremely important to compress or limit the vocal part during
recording so as to make the best possible use of the available
digital headroom while preventing digital clipping. Vocals can
have an extremely wide dynamic range, especially in the case of
untrained pop singers, so for the best results, it may become
necessary to re-adjust the compressor settings while recording.
The D
YNAMAXX solves these problems by the use of intelligent
automation – the compressor’s time constants are re-adjusted
adaptively in response to the changing dynamic characteristics of
the music.In other words,D
YNAMAXX intelligently optimizes Attack
and Release times on the fly,which is why the control system is so
simple. Both Threshold and Ratio are combined within the
COMPRESS-control,and the advanced Double VCA Drive
TM
Techno-
logy maintains signal clarity,even at high levels of compression.
Tech Talk
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