Aphex Studio Dominator 700 - EQ, Release Time and TEC

at the output, but that only re-introduces
wideband limiting and negates the advantages
new solution had to be found.
the problems of
of multiband. A
The answer is a new circuit concept termed ALT (Automatic
Limit Threshold, Pat. pending). Incorporated in the Studio
Dominator, ALT accurately manages output summing levels in a way
that produces no distortion and maintains the full advantages of
multiband limiting.
In the ALT system, the limiter peak output is co~stantly
monitored and adjusted to a reference level by controlling the
limiter thresholds. Below-threshold gain is not changed, so low
level signals are not modified by the ALT process. Since ALT
has a finite reaction time, a soft "catch clipper" is used
following the final summing to stop any brief overshoot
transients. This does not produce any audible distortion
because the ALT prevents all but the briefest overshoots, too
short to hear.
By these methods, the summed signal peak ceiling is
guaranteed to remain at a calibrated value. The maximum output
level can now be made accurately adjustable by a single front
panel control. This is a highly desirable feature not commonly
found on limiters.
Due to intelligent interplay between the ALT control, the
attack timing of the individual bands and the catch clipper, the
"come on" of the limiter is extremely smooth sounding if it can
be heard at all.
2.3 EQ, Release Time and TEe
To
allow for variations in operating conditions and
tailoring of the sound, several features are available on the
Studio Dominator.
The band crossover frequencies are selectable, with the
drive levels into the low and high bands adjustable by ± 6dB.
This allows static and dynamic equalization effects to be
obtained. As the bands get deeper and deeper into limiting, the
EQ effect will diminish as all bands approach equal amplitude.
The release time allows the user to obtain more or less
density (loudness) under heavy limiting. A quicker release time
gives greater loudness by maintaining a small peak-to-average
ratio. The release time may also be used for maximum
transparency at different average amounts of limiting.
All limiters, by their nature, remove transients that
create the live feel in audio. A unique circuit called TEC
(Transient Enhancement Circuit, Pat. pending) restores some of
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