HeadRoom..!

Snatchman · 1st September 2005

Hi everyone. Question: " Can headroom be increased on a existing piece of gear by modding? For instance, a 2-buss compressor that featurewise, layout is ok, but when running a signal through it, even with the threshhold set to "0" or less still shows reduction on the LEDs. Is this a power supply/ design issue, and can it be improved with better components? Thanks!

tINY · 1st September 2005

Do you want more headroom, or more range on your threshold?

(You may try attenuating the source for either effect).

-tINY

Snatchman · 2nd September 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

Do you want more headroom, or more range on your threshold?

(You may try attenuating the source for either effect).

-tINY

Hi tINY. Yes, more headroom. Even with the threshold at nominal "0", the console master fader at "0", it still shows lots of reduction on the LEDs (even in by-pass). Sure, I could lower my channel faders, but then I "upsetting" gain structure. I guess every piece of gear that's calibrated "0" is not created "equal". So.... I guess this is where the term "hi-end" comes into play!..

Nutmeg II. · 5th September 2005

Maybe the unit is set to a different level?
Miss matched +4/-10?

Jim Williams · 6th September 2005

If you're using an "over-easy" side chain, the threshold does kick in a few db below the threshold setting. On a hard knee, it should kick in at "0" if you set it there. Try the hard knee if you have it or just push the threshold pot a click up. Head room or as I call it, dynamic range can be increased by either raising the power supply rails (usually not possible and only gets another db or so) or lowering noise levels so you have a greater dynamic range between the clipping point and the noise floor.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

1st September 2005	#1
Snatchman Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 3,325 Thread Starter	HeadRoom..! Hi everyone. Question: " Can headroom be increased on a existing piece of gear by modding? For instance, a 2-buss compressor that featurewise, layout is ok, but when running a signal through it, even with the threshhold set to "0" or less still shows reduction on the LEDs. Is this a power supply/ design issue, and can it be improved with better components? Thanks! __________________ Thanks for your time and ears!

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1st September 2005	#2
tINY Gear Guru Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 10,233	Do you want more headroom, or more range on your threshold? (You may try attenuating the source for either effect). -tINY

5th September 2005	#4
Nutmeg II. Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2003 Location: GEARmany Posts: 985	Maybe the unit is set to a different level? Miss matched +4/-10?

6th September 2005	#5
Jim Williams Voiding warranties Joined: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 10,070	If you're using an "over-easy" side chain, the threshold does kick in a few db below the threshold setting. On a hard knee, it should kick in at "0" if you set it there. Try the hard knee if you have it or just push the threshold pot a click up. Head room or as I call it, dynamic range can be increased by either raising the power supply rails (usually not possible and only gets another db or so) or lowering noise levels so you have a greater dynamic range between the clipping point and the noise floor. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades