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Product Overview & Features
22
SSL UC1 User Guide
Dynamics Section
The Dynamics section includes a Compressor/Limiter and an Expander/Gate. Both sections work
independently but can be operational at the same time, providing sophisticated control of signal
levels.
The Dynamics section can be switched in/out using the DYNAMICS button.
Compressor
RATIO - determines the severity with which the signal is reduced when it exceeds the THRESHOLD.
THRESHOLD - sets the point at which gain reduction is applied to the signal. In this compressor
design the Threshold also applies an automatic gain-make-up.
RELEASE - controls how quickly the level returns to normal after the input level has dropped below
the Threshold (measured in seconds). The attack time is adjusted automatically to match the audio.
To choose a constantly fast attack time, press the FAST ATTACK switch.
Press the PEAK button to switch from RMS to peak signal detection. In RMS mode (default) the
compressor reacts to the average signal level and has a soft knee characteristic. When switched to
peak mode, it responds to peak signal level and introduces a hard knee characteristic, resulting in
more dramatic compression.
Compression Metering is shown on the left-hand array of five LEDs (yellow and red), whilst
Gate/Expander metering is shown on the right-hand array of five green LEDs.
Gate/Expander
RANGE - determines the severity to which the signal is reduced when it falls below the THRESHOLD.
The THRESHOLD control uses different levels to ‘open’ the gate to audio and to ‘close’ it again – the
level at which the gate opens is higher than the level at which it closes again. In other words, when the
gate is opened, it stays open until the signal level crosses the quieter ‘close’ threshold. This is known
as hysteresis and is very useful as it allows instruments to decay more naturally. The word ‘Threshold’
normally refers to the ‘open’ threshold.
HOLD controls the delay before the output signal level starts reducing again, and RELEASE controls
how quickly the level then reduces. Note that the RELEASE interacts with the RANGE, which determines
the depth of gain reduction.
The attack time (the time taken for the Expander/Gate to ‘recover’ once the signal level is above the
‘deactivate’ threshold) is normally set to 1.5ms per 40dB. Press the FAST ATTACK switch to introduce
a faster attack time of 100µs per 40dB. This is useful when gating signals with a steep rising edge, such
as drums.
The EXPAND button puts the gate into a downwards expansion mode, providing a gentler 2:1 ratio,
instead of the nominal 40:1 ratio gate.
Dynamics Section
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