dbx 160X - Page 9

OUTPUT
LEVEL
(dB)
Operating notes _
Basic Operation
Using the THRESHOLD control
In hard-knee mode this control sets a reference level above which input
signals will be processed by the 160XT’s gain change circuitry in the man¬
ner defined by the setting of the RATIO control. Input signals which fall be¬
low this level will pass through the 160XT unprocessed (except for fixed
gain changes directed by the output control). See Figure 4.
In OverEasy Mode, signals begin to gradually activate the 160XT’s gain
change circuitry as they approach the THRESHOLD reference level and
they do not get fully processed in the manner defined by the RATIO con¬
trol until they have passed somewhat above the THRESHOLD reference
level. In OverEasy mode there is no distinct point at which processing be¬
gins, and the THRESHOLD setting corresponds to a point on the in¬
put/output transfer curve midway between the onset of processing and
that point at which the transfer curve corresponds to the setting of the RA¬
TIO control (Figure 3). Figure 3. also shows how the 160XT’s THRESH¬
OL D in d i c ator LEDs correlate with the compression curves.
NOTE: The THRESHOLD setting relates to the signal level seen by the
DETECTOR INPUT. In normal operation, the program input SIGNAL IN¬
PUT is connected directly to the DETECTOR INPUT. If this is not the
case, the signal actually present at the DETECTOR INPUT will determine
how the 160XT processes the signal coming into its SIGNAL INPUT.
-15 -10 -5 0 +5 +10 +15 +20 -15 -10 -5 0 +5 +10 +15 +20
INPUT LEVEL (dB) INPUT LEVEL (dB)
Figure 4: Hard-Knee Compression Curve Figure 3: Over Easy Compression Curve
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