dbx 463X - Setting Up and Operation; Choosing the Correct Input; Operational Setup Steps; Hi-Z Gain Trim Adjustment

SETTING UP
Which
Input?
Use the rear-panel
(line)
input
in
recording
when
the
instrument
to be
gated
is
already preamplified,
such as
through
a
direct box
or
mixing
console.
Synthesizers
sometimes can
plug
in
here,
too.
And
of
course
when
mixing
or
submixing,
the
signal
from
the deck
(or mixing
console)
goes
here
as
well.
In
performance,
this input
again is
useful
for
connection
to
synthesizer
high-level
outputs
or
line-level outputs
of
guitar
and
bass preamps
(before
the
feed
to
the
power
amp).
Use
the front-panel Hi-Z
input in the studio
for
adding
quick
(direct-input)
overdubs
and
for the
convenience of
carrying
a
guitar
or
bass into
the
control
room
(no
hassle
of
lugging
an
amp).
In
performance,
any instrument
can
plug
directly
into
this
input
(synths
included),
as well
as
most
high-impedance
microphones.
Setup
Start
with
the
slider
fully
left, and
while
the
music
(or whatever)
is
playing
adjust
the
Threshold
knob so
that
the
Threshold
LED
turns on
—
flashes
—
with
the
sound you
want
to
keep.
Then
slowly
push the
slider
right
until
the
desired amount of
attenuation
is
achieved.
Moving
it
right increases
not only
the
amount
but also
the
speed
of
the
gating.
Then
readjust
the
Threshold
knob.
Vocals
and
instruments
like
bass
guitar
call for
mild settings,
toward
the
middle
of
the
range,
which
yield
smooth
results.
Percussive
sounds
like
kick
or
snare
drum
want
more
severe
(deeper
and
faster)
gating,
with
settings
toward the
right.
Since
hearing
the
point where
gating
begins is
easier
than
seeing
it
(with
the
Threshold
LED),
zero
in
on
exactly the
sound
you're going for by
fine-tuning
the
Threshold knob. There
are no
"typical"
settings,
because
an
exact
one
necessarily
depends
on widely varying
levels
and
program
material.
The
Hi-Z trim
This
screwdriver
trim
is
rarely
necessary
in practical
applications;
most
of
the
time
it
won't
need
to be adjusted.
It should
be reset
ONLY
if
you hear
distortion
(over-
driving)
while
using
the
Hi-Z input.
The mike
or
instrument
signal
is probably
over-
driving the Hi-Z
input and the gain
must
be
changed
(by means of
the
trim).
To adjust
it, play your
instrument
or
mike through
the
463X
with
the
slider
to the
far
left.
Listen
to
the output of
the
463X. Turn the
Hi-Z
trim
down
(ccw)
until the
distortion
disappears.
If
distortion is
still audible
with
the trim
all
the
way
down,
the
problem
is not
in
the 463X.
Stereo
Gating
True
stereo gating,
as
opposed
to
dual-mono
gating,
which
you can
achieve
with
two
independent units,
is
important when
a
stereo
signal
is
to
be
attenuated
and its
channel
balance and imaging
preserved. Dual-mono
gating
won't
do
this;
instruments
and
their
reverberation
(decay tails)
can
wander or
jump
around,
because
the
two
channels
may
have
different levels at
different
times.
As
mentioned,
a
pair of
463Xes
or a 463X
and
a
properly
connected 163X
will give
you
true rms
stereo-tracking
gating;
your
sound and
your
mixes
will
readily
show
the benefits.