Front Panel Controls
NanoCompressor Quick Facts
Quick Reference Guide
Threshold - sets the level above which the
NanoCompressor starts to compress the input
Ratio - sets the compression slope, or the
amount of gain reduction above the Threshold
A t ta c k - a d j u s t s t h e a m o u nt of ti me
before compression begins (Peak mode only)
R e lea se - adjusts t he amount of t i m e
until compression will cease (Peak mode only)
Output - Sets the output signal level
Power - lit when the unit is plugged in
Reduction - displays the amount of gai n
reduction
Hard/Soft - switches between Hard or Soft
knee compression styles
Peak/RMS - switches between Peak and RMS
signal detection modes
Signal - shows the Input or Output signal level
Input/Output - selects whether the Signal
meter is monitoring the Input or Output level
Bypass/Comp - bypasses the compressor for
A/B comparisons of the original signal
Welcome to the NanoCompressor Quick Reference Guide. This is a supplement to the manual
designed to quickly get you up and running with this signal pro c e s s o r . Some of the key features of
the NanoCompressor include:
• Affordable, high quality compression for a • Stereo Inputs and Outputs
wide variety of sources • Selectable RMS or Peak signal detection
• Sidechain input for ducking and de-essing • Bypass footswitch input
• 1/3 rackspace package • Selectable Hard and Soft Knee
• Compression Bypass switch compression curves
• Low noise, low distortion components for high
quality sonic performance
Getting Started With the NanoCompressor
The Alesis NanoCompressor was designed to easily integrate into any studio or instrument setup. To
use the NanoCompressor with a mixer insert :
• Connect the balanced 1/4” plug of an Insert cable into the insert jack of your mixer’s channel or
main insert. Plug the “send” into the NanoCompre s s o r’s Left Input and the “re t u rn” into the Left
O u t p u t
• Set the controls like this: R ATIO set for 4:1 (about 12 o’clock), PEAK/RMS set for RMS and
HARD/SOFT set for SOFT. Make sure that the BYPASS/COMP switch is set for COMP.
• Tu rn the THRESHOLD c o n t rol all of the way to the right, then slowly turn it down (counter- c l o c k-
wise). As the Threshold gets lower, you will notice the REDUCTION meter will show more and more
c o m p ression.
For more information please refer to the NanoCompressor Reference Manual that comes with your
p ro c e s s o r.
Example Settings
© 1996 Alesis Corporation Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice Printed In USA 7-51-1204 8/96
Vocal Limiting
• Threshold set so that the loudest sections
get about -6dB of gain reduction
• Ratio set for 6:1
• Knee set for Soft
• Peak/RMS set for RMS
Vocal Compression/Spoken Word
• Threshold set so that one reduction LED
(-1 dB) lights during the softest passages
• Ratio set for 2:1
• Knee set for Soft
• Peak/RMS set for Peak
• Attack set to 0.1 ms (7 o’clock)
• Release set between 10 and 12 o’clock
Drums
• Threshold set so that all drum hits are
compressed (about 3dB)
• Ratio set for 4:1
• Knee set for Soft
• Peak/RMS set for Peak
• Attack set around 8 o’clock
• Release set around 9 o’clock
Rock Bass
• Threshold set so that only the peaks are
compressed
• Ratio set for 4:1
• Knee set for Hard
• Peak/RMS set for Peak
• Attack set around 9 o’clock
• Release set around 10 o’clock
Funk/R&B Electric Guitar
• Threshold set for constant compression
(around -3dB)
• Ratio set for 6:1
• Knee set for Soft
• Peak/RMS set for RMS
THRESH RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT
THRESH RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT
THRESH RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT
THRESH RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT
THRESH
SWITCH IN
SWITCH OUT
RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT
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Electrical
Weight and Dimensions
