Z-Systems z-CL6 User Manual

z-CL6 manual © 2000, Z-Systems Audio Engineering

The z-CL6 Six-Channel

Mastering Dynamics Processor

Controlling Attack and Release Times.................................................................................................................. 3

Controlling Threshold and Compression Ratio................................................................................................... 4

Controlling Hipass Filters and Make-up Gain.....................................................................................................4

Saving and Loading Presets................................................................................................ ...................................5

MIDI Automation.................................................................................................................................................. 6

Adjusting Wordwidth............................................................................................................................................7

Controlling Compressor Linking..........................................................................................................................8

Specifications........................................................................................................................................................ 11

Figure 1 - z-CL6 front panel controls...................................................................................................................2

Figure 2 - attack/release screen.............................................................................................................................. 3

Figure 3 - threshold/ratio screen...........................................................................................................................4

Figure 4 - hipass/make-up gain screen.................................................................................................................4

Figure 5 - preset mode........................................................................................................................................... 5

Figure 6 - confirmation of preset save..................................................................................................................6

Figure 7 - indication that preset has not been saved............................................................................................6

Figure 8 – MIDI control screen.............................................................................................................................7

Figure 9 - wordwidth/sample rate mode..............................................................................................................7

Figure 10 - compressor linking screen..................................................................................................................8

Figure 11 - z-CL6 block schematic...................................................................................................................... 10

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(K) presets/wordwidth screen select button

(J) hipass/make-up gain screen select button

(C) parameter #1 display (E) parameter #2 display

(A) channel indicator

(G) threshold/ratio screen select button

(H) cross-linking screen select button

(I) attack/release screen select button

LRF:

thr -12.0

LRS:

thr -11.0

CEN:

thr -11.0

SUB:

thr -12.0

(L) channel bypass buttons

(B) channel select knob

(D) parameter #1 control knob

rat 1.4:1
rat 1.1:1
rat 3.0:1
rat LIMIT

-8 0

-8

-8

-8

(F) parameter #2 control knob

0

(M) gain reduction meter

0
0

Figure 1 - z-CL6 front panel controls

Using the z-CL6 is very simple once you understand its display and control methodology.
Because there are so many channels and so many parameters for each channel, only a few things
can be displayed at a time. We have chosen to display the same parameters for all channels rather
than all of the parameters for a selected channel; this is the basis for our display/control model.

To begin, the z-CL6 partitions the channels into four groups:

• LRF – left and right front channels

• LRS – left and right surround channels

• CEN – the center channel

• SUB – the subwoofer channel

Referring to Figure 1, there are four parameter control screens, each selected by one of the screen­select buttons (G, H, I, and J). These screen-select buttons each invoke a different mode in which
the parameters associated with that mode can be controlled by the parameter #1 and parameter #2
control knobs (D and F). These four modes are:

• Attack/release mode (invoked by button I)

• Threshold/ratio mode (invoked by button G)

• Hipass/make-up gain mode (invoked by button J)

• Compressor cross-linking mode (invoked by button H)

The parameters associated with these modes are displayed in the parameter #1 display (C) and the
parameter #2 display (E). Within any of the modes, use the channel select knob (B) to choose
which channel group is affected by the parameter control knobs. As you turn the channel select
knob, the channel indicator (A) will point to the corresponding channel.

There is a gain reduction meter (M) which is visible from any of the four mode screens. The gain
reduction meter gives a simultaneous visual display of the amount of gain reduction being
performed on all four of the channel groups. The meter continues to function while you are
changing the values of the parameters, which gives useful visual feedback about your parameter
choices.

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3

Each of the channel groups is endowed with a channel bypass button (L). When this button is
pressed, the corresponding compressor is disengaged and there is a direct signal path from input
to output for that channel group; output is bit-for-bit identical to output. When the bypass
button is pushed, the gain-reduction meter for that particular channel vanishes and is replaced
with a bypass indicator. While a channel is bypassed, its parameters can still be adjusted. These
new parameters will be in effect when the channel is taken out of bypass.

Finally, there is a button (K) for invoking a system mode where you can control the wordwidths
of the different channel groups and you can save and load presets.

Controlling Attack and Release Times

LRF:
LRS:
CEN:
SUB:

Press the attack/release screen select button. The display will appear as in Figure 2. Use the
channel select knob to move the arrow to the desired channel. The parameter #1 knob controls

the attack time and the parameter #2 knob controls the release time. Both the attack time and
the release time are calibrated in milliseconds. The gain reduction meters will continue to
function when the z-CL6 is in attack/release mode, as will the individual channel bypass buttons.

Attack times range from instant to 950 milliseconds. Release times range from instant to 950
milliseconds. A typical rule of thumb is to set the release time to ten times the attack time. Notice
that the z-CL6 has more attack time choices than release time choices, with a higher density of
values below 10 milliseconds.

att 0.05
att 0.10
att 10.0
att 100

Figure 2 - attack/release screen

rel 5.0
rel 10.0
rel 50.0
rel 100

-8 0

-8

-8

-8

0
0
0

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4

Controlling Threshold and Compression Ratio

LRF:
LRS:
CEN:
SUB:

Press the threshold/ratio screen select button. The display will appear as in Figure 3. Use the
channel select knob to move the arrow to the desired channel. The parameter #1 knob controls

the threshold and the parameter #2 knob controls the compression ratio. The threshold is
calibrated in decibels relative to full-scale digital (dBFS) and the compression ratio is to be
determined as the number of decibels the input level must rise above the threshold in order to
produce a one-decibel increase in output level. The gain reduction meters will continue to
function when the z-CL6 is in threshold/ratio mode, as will the individual channel bypass buttons.

The threshold ranges from 0.0 dB to -95 dB. The ratio can be made to vary from 1.1:1 to 8.0:1.
Turning the ratio knob one click past 8.0:1 turns the compressor for that particular channel into a
limiter, with a ratio of 100:1.

thr -12.0
thr -18.0
thr -14.0
thr -12.0

Figure 3 - threshold/ratio screen

rat LIMIT
rat 1.1:1
rat 3.0:1
rat 2.0:1

-8 0

-8

-8

-8

0
0
0

Controlling Hipass Filters and Make-up Gain

LRF:
LRS:
CEN:
SUB:

Press the hipass/make-up button. The display will appear as in Figure 4. Use the channel select
knob to move the arrow to the desired channel. The parameter #1 knob controls the corner

frequency of the hipass filter (explained below) and the parameter #2 knob controls the
compressor make-up gain. The make-up gain is calibrated in decibels relative to full-scale digital
(dBFS). The gain reduction meters will continue to function when the z-CL6 is in hipass/make­up gain threshold/ratio mode, as will the individual channel bypass buttons.

hp 100 Hz
hp 100 Hz
hp 100 Hz
hp 10 Hz

Figure 4 - hipass/make-up gain screen

mkg +1.00
mkg +0.00
mkg +0.60
mkg +0.00

-8 0

-8

-8

-8

0
0
0