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TUBE COMPOSER T1952
If the controls are set correctly, the drum sounds will be dry, sharp and clearly defined. If you do not have
enough mics (or TUBECOMPOSER channels!) to record each instrument separately, try to create subgroups:
put the snare and mid-toms together, and group the side-toms, bass drum and cymbals together with the help
of a mixing console.
The aim is to set up the expander/gate and to position the group mics so that each strike on an instrument
opens a specific mic and so only that instrument is recorded, whilst the other mics remain muted.
2.3 Compressor section
The task of a compressor is to reduce the dynamic range of program material and to control the overall level.
The extensive controls of the compressor section, provide a great range of dynamic effects: from musical and
soft compression to limiting signal peaks, right up to extreme and effective compression of the overall
dynamics. For example, a low ratio and very low threshold setting can be used to achieve soft and musical
processing of the general dynamics of the program material.
Higher ratios, together with low threshold settings, create relatively constant volume (levelling) for instruments
and vocals. High threshold levels generally limit the overall level of a program. Ratios greater than 6:1 effectively
prevent the output level from significantly exceeding the threshold point (provided that the OUTPUT control is in
the 0dB position).
Please note that the compression of the entire program material (achieved by low threshold settings) sounds
less natural with higher ratio settings. Ratio settings in the range of 4:1 and lower effect the dynamics of the
program material less and are often used to compress the sound of a bass guitar, a snare drum or vocals.
Sensitive and moderate settings are generally used in mixing and for levelling program material in broad-
casting.
Threshold
Gain 0 dB
Input
Output
oo:1
Limiter
Ratio 2:1
Ratio 4:1
Hard Knee
green yellow red
IKA Curve
LED
Fig. 2.2: IKA characteristic of the compressor section
The new IKA (Interactive Knee Adaptation) circuit prevents aggressive compression, created by high ratios,
from sounding too unnatural. This is achieved with an interactive control function, which begins above the
threshold level and introduces a Soft Knee curve characteristic in the range up to 10dB above the threshold
point. Beyond this range, the signal is subjected to linear (Hard Knee) compression.
+ With the threshold control completely turned to the right, the threshold value is +20dB. Since
such a value will not be reached in practice, you can use it to disable the compressor section
and work exclusively with the expander/gate and limiter circuits.
Initial settings for the compressor section
In order to acquaint yourself with the possibilities of the compressor section, it is advisable to start with the
following settings. The settings for the expander section can remain unaltered.
2. OPERATION