Boss CL-50 - Understanding CL-50 Functions; Compressor and Limiter Explained; Gate Functionality

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WHAT
THE
CL-50
CAN
DO
The CL-~- 50 is equipped to provide the features of
three types of devices: Compressor, Limiter, and
Gate. You will be able to use these features most
effectively after first gaining a good understanding of
how they work,
<Compressor/Limiter >
While both of these act in compressing the input sig-
nal, factors such as the Threshold Level, Ratio, and
the intended purpose result in their differentiation,
Compressor:
Takes
a
divergent
signal
and
compres-
ses
it,
and
when
necessary,
averages
it
to
create
sound
of
an
amplitude
that
is
perceived
acoustically
as
being
well-controlled.
Limiter:
Serves
in
protecting
equipment
from
exces-
sively
powerful
input,
and
in
preventing
distortion.
@ Threshold Level
When
using
the
Compressor/Limiter,
the
point
at
which
it
is
to
take
effect
is
called
the
"Threshold
Level".
All
signals
of
a
level
lower
than
the
Threshold
level
are
output
without
compression.
@ Ratio
The rate of compression to be applied with respect to
the input signal is known as the “Ratio”. For exam-
ple, in a situation where a signal 10dB higher than a
given signal is input, but at output there is only a 5
dB increase produced, there is a ratio of 10dB:5dB,
or 2:1.
<Threshold Level and Ratio
Output Level (dBm)
Ratio= a:b
Input Level (dBm)
@ Attack Time
The
Attack
Time
is
the
length
of
time
it
takes
for
compression
to
reach
its
set
value,
from
the
instant
the
signal
being
input
has
surpassed
the
Threshold
Level.
@ Release Time
The
Release
Time
is
the
length
of
time
it
takes
for
compression
to
be
released
and
the
signal
to
revert
to
normal,
from
the
moment
the
signal
drops
below
the
Threshold
Level.
<Attack Time and Release Time>
“- input Level
Level (dBm)
--~- Threshold Level
Output Level
Attack Time
Release Time
Time
<Gate>
Acts
in
muting
signals
that
are
below
than
the
Thresh-
old
Level,
This
can
conveniently
be
used
to
eliminate
noise
during
periods
of
silence,
or
to
mute
unwanted
sound
while
using
microphones,
@ Gate Threshold Level
The
level
at
which
the
Gate
will
start
taking
effect
is
known as the "Threshold Level”.
@ Decay Time
When
the
input
signal
fails
below
the
Threshold
Level,
the
sound
is
muted.
In
actuality,
a
certain
length
of
time
is
allowed
to
pass
before
the
sound
is
cut
off;
this
is
called
the
"Decay
Time”
(attenuating
time)
.