Gate/Expander - Solid State Logic E Series User Manual

4

Gate/Expander

This section can act as a 20:1 Gate or as a 2:1 Expander when the
EXP button is pressed.
RANGE
THRESH
FAST ATT
RELEASE
Determines the depth of gating or expansion. When
turned fully anti-clockwise, this section is inactive.
When turned fully clockwise, a gate depth or range of
40dB can be obtained.
Determines the level at which the gate opens or
the level below which gain reduction begins (EXP
selected), adjustable from +4dBu to –26dBu.
Variable hysteresis is incorporated in the threshold
circuitry which increases as the threshold is lowered.
This is very useful in music recording as it allows
instruments to decay below the 'open' threshold
before gating or expansion takes place.
Normally, a controlled linear attack time of 1.5ms
per 40dB is provided. Press this button to select a
fast attack time (100µs per 40dB). The attack time
is the time taken for the Gate/Expander to 'open'
once the signal level is above the threshold. When
gating signals with a steep rising edge, such as
drums, a slow attack may effectively mask the initial
'THWACK', so you should be aware of this when
selecting the appropriate attack time.
This determines the time constant (speed), variable
from 0.1 to 4 seconds, at which the Gate/Expander
reduces the signal level once it has passed below
the threshold.Note that this control interacts with the
RANGE control.
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