DBX 1046 Front Panel Controls

Gain Reduction Meter - The 8 stage meter demonstrates the amount of gain reduction due to both compression and/ or Intelligent Predictive Limiting™, showing gain reduction from 0 to 30 dB.

Compressor threshold control - having a 60 dB range, compressor threshold control sets the level above the compression occurrence.

OverEasy® Switch - between the compressor's linear region to the compressed region, the OverEasy® switch provides a smooth transition. In addition, it lessens compression artifacts and allows higher compression ratios while still sustaining the natural distinctiveness of the signal. To know that the processing is enabled, the switch gets lighted to indicate it, disable the OverEasy® function, if you wish to have conventional hard knee processing.

Compressor Ratio Control - It selects the ratio between input and the output levels for signals above the level set by the COMPRESSION THRESHOLD control. Having said that, it is adjustable between 1:1 and 8:1; the ratio shifts smoothly from the linear to the compressed region when OverEasy® processing is selected.

When the pointer surpasses the threshold, the ratio moves toward the ratio set by the COMPRESSOR RATIO control

Figure shows the effect of 2:1 compression on a signal as it rises above and falls below the threshold. Below the threshold the signal is not affected.

Over the threshold, the output signal amplifies by only half of the augment (in dB) of the input signal level. With 2dB increase in input level, output increases by 1dB only hence the 2:1 compression ratio.

Input/output Level Meter – when the rear-panel operating level switch is in the +4 dBu position, the 8-stage meter directly reads the input and output levels. In the -10 dBV position, the input signal is boosted by 11.8 dB (the difference between +4 dBu and -10 dBV) to convert a semi-pro -10 dBV level signal to the professional +4 dBu internal level of the 1046, while the output signal is attenuated by 11.8 dB to convert back to a -10 dBV level. Since the meter is calibrated for +4 dBu operation, it reads about 12 dB higher than the actual input and output signal levels when the OPERATING LEVEL SWITCH is set to -10 dBV.

Input/Output Meter Switch - The switch lights representing the input signal are currently being sent to the meter, this switch selects the signal for metering by the INPUT/OUTPUT LEVEL METER. If seen at out position, the signal is selected for metering, and the switch will not be enlightened.

Output Gain Control - It sets the output gain of the compressor and can be always adjusted between -20 dB and +20 dB. It can be used to compensate for signal level loss due to compression and to fiddle with the nominal output level of the unit.

Bypass Switch - This bypasses the unit from top to bottom, "hard-wiring" the input directly to the output and the signal is not routed in any way.

PeakStopPlus™ Level Control - This sets the level to which the output signal is abridged each time it exceeds this level. It can be adjusted between +4 dBu and +22 dBu (OFF). This makes use of a proprietary dbx two-stage limiting process. The first stage is the Instantaneous Transient Clamp™ which fastens the signal with a soft logarithmic clamp function. This logarithmic function guarantees that the signal will not go beyond the point set by the PeakStopPlus™ LEVEL have power over by more than 2 dB in general, and that it will not pioneer harsh artifacts. Featuring Intelligent Predictive Limiting, the second stage is a unique program limiter and its function is to scrutinize the input signal and astutely foresee the amount of gain reduction needed to keep the output indicator below the ceiling set by the Instantaneous Transient Clamp™.

It is after the OUTPUT GAIN control, the PeakStopPlus limiter must come in and if the former is set too high compared to the peak stop plus, non-stop limiting can take place. In view of the fact that, PeakStopPlus used as a shielding function, an intentional drive of the signal into heavy PeakStopPlus limiting will result in creative effects. In order to keep it acoustically transparent, great care has gone into the design of it. Keeping the signal free of artifacts, appropriate usage will help protect your gear.

PeakStopPlus™ Threshold (+) LED Indicator – This LED enlightens when the yield indicator surpasses the level set by the Peakstopplus™ LEVEL control showing that Peakstopplus™ restricting is happening. Figure 3 represents the defensive activity of the Peakstopplus limiter. The sign with the slender line weight signifies an impassive input signal. As should be obvious, crests of the information indicator surpass the clipping level. The sign with the heavier line weight speaks to the yield indicator. The crests of the data indicator which surpassed the cinching level are not permitted to surpass this level at the output.

Stereo Couple Switch – it is the Stereo Couple Switches that change the 1046 from four independent compressors into two stereo compressors. As far as stereo mode is concerned, each channel has its own definitions Channel 1 is the master and Channel 2 is its slave, and Channel 3 is the master and channel 4 is its slave. Each of the Channel 2 and 4 controls and switch functions will be superseded and handled by the Channel 1 and 3 controls and switches, in that order, with the exception of for the I/O Meter and Bypass switches. Also, Channel 2's and 4's Compressor Threshold, and PeakStopPlus™ Threshold meters will be put out of action, while these slave channels' Gain Reduction meters will specify the amount of gain reduction taking place, as on their masters' Gain Reduction Meters. All 4 channels have equal precedence by a great deal signal processing is concerned. The dbx 1046 uses True RMS Power Summing™, a very accurate and musical way to merge detector outputs in a stereo situation. The switch will light to indicate that the 1046 is in the Stereo Couple mode.