Symetrix 528 - 528 Applications

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4. 528 Applications
The 528 Voice Processor was designed to make the same kind of specialized processing
that's applied to voice-overs and vocal tracks in recording studios available for use in
broadcasting, paging, public address and sound reinforcement. In a recording studio, four
or five separate pieces of equipment are usually patched together to obtain the kind of
processing provided by the 528.
For the highest level of versatility, we recommend making the output / input patching and
sidechain connections available by wiring the unit to a patch bay as shown in Figure
2.3. This allows access to the individual sections of the 528, provides for easy use of
the sidechain, and allows the processing order to be changed at will (to place the
parametric in the sidechain, for instance).
The following discussions illustrate some of the more useful applications for the 528.
Because of its versatility, combinations of the applications described here will normally
be used.
4.1 Broadcast Applications
With the 528, a variety of common problems can be corrected, and overall sound qualit y
can be greatly improved. In addition to its "normal" use with announce mies, there are
several more specialized uses for the Voice Processor. This section provides general
operating guidelines for the various parts of the 528, and also describes typical
applications used in the production room for special effects, in the news room for
cleaning up actualities and phone feeds, and in television for PA feed to a studio
audience.
The applications that follow are merely operational guidelines for the Voice Processor.
The particular kind of processing applied in any given situation must be determined by
the problems encountered, and by the dictates of the format. What's necessary or
appropriate in one case, may not be at all proper in another.
4.2 Using the Parametric EQ/Notch Filter
Great care must be excercized when using equalization. The general precautions are:
4.2.1 Beware Distortion and Noise When a frequency or group of
frequencies are boosted , the overall operating level is boosted as well.
For example, 12dB of boost (no matter what the frequency) increases the
528's output level 12dB. This kind of boost will reduce headroom by 12dB
in every circuit from the 528's own line driver to the last device in the
signal chain (transmitter, tape machine, or what have you). Unless signal
levels are very low to begin with, the 528's output gain will have to be
reduced to compensate for increased levels whenever the equalizer is used
for boost.
On the other hand, if the levels within the 528 are too low to start with,
using the equalizer for boost may increase noise to unacceptable levels.
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