User manual SAMSON CCOMOPTI

[. . . ] C Class Signal Processors -7 -10 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -20 +4 VU SAMSON OPTICAL COMPRESSOR A U D I O Safety Instructions Caution: To reduce the hazard of electrical shock, do not remove cover or back. Please refer all servicing to qualified personnel. WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product. Please read all instructions before operating the unit. [. . . ] To begin compressing your signal, follow the steps below: · Follow the section above, "SETTING UP THE C com opti" for normalizing the controls. Press the BYPASS switch to the IN position. Run a signal into your mixer, in this case a vocal track, and raise the input fader until you see the C com opti's OUTPUT METER read about 0dB. Engage the C com opti by pressing the BYPASS switch so that the GREEN LED turns on. Now press the METER switch to the out position so that the LED goes off, allowing you to monitor the GAIN REDUCTION. Note: In this default configuration, the C com opti is simply passing audio at unity gain with no dynamics processing. It's a good idea to check your gain structure at this point. Use the BYPASS switch and the METER to match the level. · Once you have set a good gain structure you can begin to compress your signal. Press the BYPASS switch to the IN position so that the green LED is on. Adjust the Ratio to 3:1, the ATTACK to 5 and the RELEASE control to 0. 3. Now, gradually lower the THRESHOLD level and listen for the compression. For a visual representation, the amount of compression is indicated on the GAIN REDUCTION meter. Try to get the GAIN REDUCTION METER to read between -1 and -3 dB. Now, you can experiment with lowering the THRESHOLD a bit and raising the OUTPUT level some. By lowering the THRESHOLD level you are adding more compression, so the level may drop. Use the OUTPUT level control for "make-up gain", getting back to unity gain (the same level), with the BYPASS in or out. The C com opti's are connected to the mixer's insert points using a standard 1/4-inch insert "Y" cable. See page 13 for a detailed wiring diagram. LIVE SOUND SYSTEM WITH STEREO COMPRESSION C com opti -7 -10 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -10 -7 -5 -3 -2 -1 0 -20 +4 -20 +4 VU SAMSON SAMSON VU C com opti In this example, two C com opti's are connected, "in-line" between the mixer and the powered speakers, thereby compressing the full range signal from the mixer. The STEREO LINK on both units are connected together using a standard 1/4-inch instrument cable. 10 Dynamics Processing 101 To begin to understand dynamics processing, we must first understand what dynamics are. Dynamics, or the dynamic range of a signal or audio device, is the amount of level between the softest and loudest possible output. Dynamics processing is applied to a signal to manage the changes in level. [. . . ] If you are connecting to a channel's insert points, you may have a single TRS jack for Send & Return. In this case, use an Insert "Y" Cable that is configured like the one in the wiring diagram below. Insert Cable 1/4" male TRS connector to two male 1/4" in send and return configuration. IN-LINE In live sound operation the C com opti can be installed in-line between a mixer and equalizer or power amplifier. For these applications, the C com opti provides both 1/4" TRS connectors and XLR connectors to easily interface with most any professional audio device. [. . . ]