Filter
Top Products
16
MULTIGATE PRO XR4400
gain reduction applied. Thus, you can use smaller amounts of gain reduction making it possible to retain the
natural sound of the program materialin particular, with signals that contain plenty of interference noise.
5.2.5 IRC circuit (Interactive Ratio Control)
In conventional expanders the control processes cut the signal abruptly below the threshold, which usually
leads to less satisfying results, because the onset of the control function becomes audible. When inaudible
expansion is needed, it is therefore better to use a soft-knee characteristic around the threshold point that
allows for a smoother transition.
The BEHRINGER MULTIGATE PRO uses the newly developed IRC expander (Interactive Ratio Control) whose
attack time and ratio characteristics vary automatically depending on the program material.
The IRC expander is switched on with the MODE switch. Low ratios and hence subtle expansion produce a
smooth transition, while higher ratios and heavy expansion result in a steeper transition between the
characteristic curves.
This so-called interactive, i.e. nonlinear IRC characteristic is perfectly adapted to human hearing: critical
wanted signals around the threshold point are less expanded, while interference signals with lower levels
(e.g. background noise) are processed and faded out with a higher expansion ratio.
Fig. 6.3: IRC characteristic curve
The result is an expansion process that is less difficult to adjust and more tolerant towards wanted signals
whose levels are only slightly above the level of the background noise.
5.2.6 RATIO function
The ratio of the input-level-change vs. output-level-change after the onset of the control process, i.e. after the
signal has dropped below the threshold, is called expansion ratio and can be set with the RATIO control.
RATIO settings from 1:1.2 through 1:4 give you smooth and exactly dosed downward expansion.
The RATIO scale printed on the front panel indicates the expansion ratio in decibels, i.e. it shows you the
decibels by which the output signal is cut for each reduction by one dB of the input signal.
With a 1:1 ratio the output signal level is the same as the input signal level, i.e. there is no signal change. A
ratio of 1:2 means that the output signal is reduced by 2 dB when the input signal drops below the threshold by
1 dB. Accordingly, with a ratio of 1:4, the output signal is cut in level by 4 dB when the input signal is 1 dB
below the threshold.
5.3 FLEXLINK function
The four channels of the MULTIGATE PRO can be operated both independently of each other and in couple
mode. In particular, when you record a choir it will be useful to couple the individual microphone channels. For
example, when all microphones are controlled by one singer, all vocals start and stop precisely at the same
17
5. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND