Alesis NanoCompressor User Manual

Your First Session with the NanoCompressor
NanoCompressor Manual 7
What’s on the Front Panel?
The NanoCompressor’s front panel contains the following:
① Power LED. The Power LED is illuminated whenever the NanoCompressor's
power adapter is plugged in.
➁ Threshold. The Threshold control sets the level above which signals will be
compressed or limited. The range is from -40dB to +8dB, with -10dBu (or 0 VU)
marked with an arrow ( ) near the knob.
➂ Ratio. The Ratio control sets the compression slope, or how much gain reduction
will be done once the signal crosses the threshold level. If the ratio is set for 4:1,
for example, and the input signal is 4dB above the threshold level, the
NanoCompressor will reduce the output level by 3dB.
➃ Gain Reduction Meter. This meter shows how much the compressor is reducing
the input signal.
⑤ Hard/Soft Knee Switch. This controls the character of the compression near the
Threshold level, either hard (abrupt compression above threshold) or soft knee
(gradual transition to compression).
⑥ Peak/RMS Switch. This controls whether the compression will be Peak or RMS
(average) style. When set to RMS, the Attack and Release controls will be
disabled.
⑦ Attack. This is the amount of time it will take for the NanoCompressor to start
compressing when the input signal crosses over the threshold. This control is
disabled when compression is set for RMS.
➇ Release. This is the amount of time it will take for the NanoCompressor to stop
compressing when the input signal crosses under the threshold. This control is
disabled when compression is set for RMS.
➈ Signal Meter. The signal meter can be switched to either monitor the input or the
output. This meter shows the louder of the left or right side.
➉ Input/Output Switch. This switch determines whether the Signal Meter is
displaying the Input or Output level.
Bypass/Comp Switch. This switch allows you to bypass the compressor for an
A/B comparison of the source signal.
Output. This knob sets the output level of the compressor. It is useful for making
up level which has been reduced in the compression process.

Alesis NanoCompressor Specifications

Electrical

frequency response	±1dB from 20Hz to 20 kHz
dynamic range	>109dB, "A" weighting
distortion	<0.08% @ 1kHz

Input

number of channels	2
nominal level	-10 dBV (.316 volts)
impedance	1MΩ, unbalanced

Output

number of channels	2
nominal level	-10 dBV, front-panel adjustable
impedance	470 ohms

Compression Specs

threshold of limiting	-40dBv to +8dBV
peak mode attack time	0.1ms to 200ms
peak mode release time	50ms to 3 sec.

Weight and Dimensions

dimensions	5.5” x 1.75” x 4.5”
weight	1.25 lbs
power	9 Volt Power Transformer (Alesis P3)