Studio Electronics Dragon User Manual

Thank you for purchasing the DRAGON dynamics processor.

The DRAGON is the result of two years of extensive research in
analog processing. Its circuit was designed so that it could represent
the ultimate achievement in versatility, sound, and ease of use.

At the heart of the DRAGON is an extremely hi-fi transformer
balanced CLASS A signal path with FET based dynamic reduction. In
order to make the DRAGON a true chameleon in analog hardware,
numerous features were added to customize the DRAGON’s sound to
any source.

During shipping, the DRAGONs VU meter needle may have shifted.
To adjust the VU meter, use a 1/8” flat head screwdriver to rotate the
trim pot located in the hole under the meter.

DRAGON BASICS

INPUT and RATIO

The DRAGON’s custom transformer balanced input dictates how much
compression will be produced in relation to the ratio control. In other
words, the higher the input level that enters the unit, the more the
signal will cross the given ratio’s threshold, resulting in more
compression. There are 5 ratios on the DRAGON ranging from a
gentle 2:1 to a limiter style 20:1. Consult the presets section for a
good reference on where to use certain ratios.

SQUASH

By selecting the 20:1 ratio and then engaging the “squash” selector,
the unit goes into the classic ‘all four buttons in’ overdrive made
famous by a well known vintage FET compressor. This setting is useful
on any source that needs a larger then life sound with lots of
excitement. It is especially useful on drum room ambient mics.
Unique to the DRAGON, the “squash” control works on any
compression ratio, with the 20:1 emulating the classic sound.
*NOTE: The “squash” setting is still affected by the “attack” and
“release” controls.

ATTACK and RELEASE

The DRAGON’s “attack” and “release” controls affect how quickly the
compression circuit moves in and out of gain reduction. These
controls are a major determining factor of how the unit sounds on a
given source. Consult the preset section for some starting points.

HI-PASS FILTER

The Hi-Pass Filter removes low end frequencies from FET detection so
that the compressor does not react to low end energy. It is selectable
in 5 different frequencies. Use this setting when you want the low
end of your source to be unaffected by the compression. For instance,
by engaging the hi-pass filter at its 200Hz setting using two stereo
linked DRAGONS on a drum sub mix (commonly called a drum buss),
the low frequencies of the kick drum will not be compressed. The hi­pass filter can also affect how the compressor sounds when using it in
stereo on a full mix. By engaging the hi-pass at 80Hz, the compressor
reacts less to low end energy, which in some cases is desired for a
more transparent sound.

LINK

The “Link” switch sums the audio of two DRAGONS so that the
compression detection works in stereo. This eliminates imaging drift
and allows the units to work well on drum sub-mixes and full mixes.
All panel settings must be duplicated manually on both units. Use
your ears as well as your eyes, there may be slight variance from unit
to unit in the position of knob settings.

To link two units:

Attach a ¼” cable from each unit’s output to the
other unit’s input. Two cables will be needed to
achieve this.

*NOTE: When the units are NOT linked via ¼” cables, engaging the
link switch will divide the ratios in half! This is actually a useful effect
and can make the DRAGON even more versatile while being used in
mono.

DRAGON TONE CONTROLS

CHARACTER SWITCHES

The Character Switches change the way the DRAGON sounds by
affecting specific frequencies of the FET detection in a very musical
way. Using a sophisticated filter design, the Character Switches can
enhance a musical source giving just the right essence to a track
during the recording or mixing process. When the compression ratio is
set to 0, the Character Switches can still impart sound in the signal
path, giving them the ability to act as general tone shapers. There are
three Character Switches.

1. Sheen - This setting emulates classic photo optical cell
compressors and adds a sparkle and sheen to the signal which is

preserved even when adding drastic amounts of compression. It
is extremely smooth and airy, and sounds good on vocals,
acoustics, drums, cymbals, full mixes, and more.

2. Bite - This setting adds a ‘forward’ character to the DRAGON,
making the source sound more immediate and in some cases,
aggressive. It is great on guitars, vocals, kick, snare, drum
buss, bass guitar, and full mixes.

3. Boom – Emulates a classic sub harmonic synthesizer, adding a
subtle chest thumping sonic texture to the sub bass. It sounds
great on bass guitar and kick drum and even full mixes when
more low end impact is necessary. The Boom setting is much
more apparent on full range systems with a subwoofer.
**Be careful with the Boom setting if you do not have a system

that extends down to 40Hz.

VINTAGE

The “Vintage” switch puts the DRAGON into Vintage mode. This mode
emulates a classic sound that is much more aggressive and rich in
harmonics. Switch to vintage mode when you need more ‘attitude’
from the compressor. It can sound great on kicks, snares, toms, bass,
and vocals for certain effects. Often the Vintage mode works well
when using the “MIX” knob to control the wet/dry ratio (Mix knob
described on page 4).
*NOTE: The Vintage mode is extremely dependent on the “attack” and
“release” controls. The sound of the compression in Vintage mode
changes rapidly depending on their settings.

SATURATE

The “Saturate” switch engages a circuit which adds three levels of
saturation to the signal path.

Setting 1: Adds a subtle amount of saturation and can gently increase
the harmonics and ‘life’ of your source. This setting works well on
almost any source, including full mixes.
*NOTE: Upon engaging saturate setting 1, it is not uncommon to
experience a minor click noise. Therefore, we recommend that you
not engage Saturate 1 during loud playback.

Setting 2: This setting is stronger and adds more harmonics, a bit of
edge, and is great on bass, drums, and some vocals.

Setting 3: This setting is the strongest setting and in most cases, will
add a thick distortion that can be a great effect on drums, bass,

guitars, and vocals. Setting 3 is well mated with the “MIX wet/dry”
controls, described in the next section.
*NOTE: The level of saturation in all settings is affected by the “output
level” knob. You can customize the amount of saturation at each
setting by adjusting the output level.

DRAGON MIX CONTROL

One of the most unique features of the DRAGON is its ability to mix
the wet compressed signal with the unaffected dry signal using the
“MIX wet/dry” knob. By using this function, you can create many
effects that until now were unachievable within a single compressor.

For example: You can compress a vocal with a high amount of gain
reduction, and then use the wet/dry control to customize the mix of
compressed signal with dry signal. This creates a more ‘in your face’
vocal sound without sounding like the vocal is over-compressed. The
wet/dry mix control is extremely useful on many sources including
vocals, drums, bass, guitars, drum busses, and full mixes.

CONCLUSION

Using the many unique combinations of settings on the DRAGON, you
will find that it can take your music to new levels of sonic excellence.

We hope you have as much fun using the DRAGON as we did making
it!