A cure for compression confusion is here. Quit guessing and anguishing over proper compressor and gate settings. Get on with what is important, your work. Rane has created a compressor gate using high quality log rms detectors and Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCAs). The DC22S combines quality compression and gate functions with simplicity. No more compression headache!
Lets start with what a compressor actually does. No matter how you cut it, this is an automatic volume control... a hand on a control, turning it down and turning it up again. The hand is fast and accurate, but it is just turning a volume control.
When the input signal reaches a level set by the Threshold control, the compressor begins to turn the signal down by an amount determined by the Ratio control. The DC22S, like most compressors, operates by making the loud signals quieter, but does not make the quiet parts louder. However, by keeping the loud signals under control, the entire system may be turned up when necessary to make the quiet parts louder.
There is more than just a stereo compressor working here. The adjustable Gate is a downward expander, acting like a compressor running in reverse, making the quiet parts quieter. This is valuable in reducing system background noise. The Ratio is fixed at 2:1. When the signal drops below the set Threshold, the Gate Threshold indicator lights and the output level is reduced by 2 dB for every 1 dB the input signal level drops.
When using the DC22S as a true stereo processor with left and right signals, activate the Link switch. In Link mode, channel 1 becomes the Master and channel 2 the Slave. Gate Threshold, Compression Threshold, Compression Ratio and Output Level are all controlled by channel 1. This ensures that both channels track perfectly, maintaining perfect balance and image. The channels are totally independent with the Link switch off.
The DC22S offers performance and simplicity not found (until now) in this price range. Designed for the working musician or club system, it provides reduced complexity without compromise in audio quality or dependability.
