OWNERS MANUAL
Contents
1. 600 Don t place the unit close to heat sources 4 INSTALLATION UNPACKING Before leaving from factory each compressor noise gate was carefully inspected and tested Unpack and inspectthe unitfor any damage that may have occurred during shipment If any damage is found doesn t connectthe unitto the mains notify the salesperson immediately because a qualified service technician must inspect the unit Save the original packing you could use if you need to transportthe unit NEVER SHIP THE COMPRESSOR NOISE WITHOUT IT S ORIGINAL PACKING MOUNTING Itis always advisable to mountthe unit in rack either for mobile or fixed installations for protection safety aesthetics etc The ALTAIR CN 220 is designed for standard 19 rack mounting and occupy lu high rack space CHANGING THE VOLTAGE AND THE FUSE The compressor noise gate unitis set operate at 230V 50 60Hz and at 115V 50 60Hz P Make sure thatthe unitis disconnected ofthe mains 2 In the unit rear panel is placed the mains connector the mains selector and fuse holder The box bellow this mains connector is called fuse holder mains selector Take outthe fuse holder mains selector Upon extracting the fuse holder fuse will appear take out change for the new one Q Insert the fuse holder into the mains connector again without spin it make sure thatthe voltage to which it is going to connectthe unit remains indicated in2. 1 3 OPERA 12 NOISE GATE ______________________________ 12 TE LONTORI R CIDE m 1 SL EET REN Pret 13 AP AND LE KEF CONTROLS po ia 13 ERE AROLD C ONIRIC p m 13 ATTACK IUES 13 RELEASE MME CONTRO e ___ PANGE Lee Goose nb UD ________________ _ _ 14 PP MR 14 COMPRESSOR 14 BAND COM PRESSOR CONTROLANO WII 14 Heft SHOU CONRO pintado 14 COMPRESAION RAMO GUNTRO Loc t 15 GAINREDUCUONVUME ER c 15 DIAS IMC 15 COMMON 15 CONTRO een ee m 15 VIP O eM Te E EEUU E I DUE 15 Rr 16 SIDE CHAIN CONNECTOR orale beca 16 1 9 EET 16 SECURITY COVER PD eege 16 KEY LOCKED SECURITY COVER IS 1 lt lt lt 16 7 BLOCK DIAGRAM AND HOW IT WAS ENEE 1 O REPAIR P 1 S EXAMPLES MEME 19 SUPPRESSING CROSSTALK IN MULTI MIC APPLICATIONS 19 GATING DRUM oda 19 REDUCING BACKGROUND IRE KENN E DORUM 19 REDUCING FEEDBACK IN MICRO
3. SOUND SOURCE COMPRESSOR P NOISE GATE SOUND SOURCE SOUND SOURCE SOUND SOURCE OUTPUT CONNECTION DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 The compressor noise gate output signal is carried outthrough two XLR 3 32 male connectors and two wired internally in parallel mode one per each channel The outputs are balanced with a nominal impedance of 100 The nextlist shows the input pins correspondence as A E S recommendation practice JACK ES Nc HOT TP at The output connection depends on two factors the first is the type of input signal balanced or unbalanced and the second the ground configuration of the sound destination unit floating or ground referenced The next pictures shows some of the different possibilities of connection relying on the type of output signal balanced or unbalanced and according to the ground configuration of the equipment floating or ground referenced In the next diagrams we use the following symbols Y Sound destination unit with mains cord without ground connection Sound destination unit with mains cord with ground connection 1 Sound destination unit with the EARTH LINK OFF m Sound destination unit with the EARTH LINK ON UNBALANCED OUTPUT This type of connection will be used when the
4. For this reason the unit provides an EARTH LINK switch placed atthe rear panel in order to liftthe mains earth from the unit EARTH LINK M AINS EARTH LINKED WITH THE COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE ON OFF ELECTRIC GROUND EARTH LINK MAINS EARTH LIFTED FROM THE COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE ON n OFF ELECTRIC GROUND NOTE For security reasons the earth connection to the mains is linked with the unit chassis in both 4 Cases CAUTION Alwa ys operate the unit with the AC ground wire connected to the electrical system ground Precautions should be taken so that the means of grounding ofa piece of equipment is not defeated For this circumstance NEVER NC lift the mains earth AC ground to avoid possible accidents For your security NEVER 2 use ground isolator adapters instead itis recommended the EARTH LINK switch 5 OPERATION The dynamic range of an audio equipmentis limited by the maximum signal level that the audio equipment can drain without audible distortion and the noise generated by this audio equipment The noise is generated by the audio equipment because of the current flowing the conductors due to the random electron movements For statistical reasons this produces frequencies within the whole audio spectrum This noise is called white noise If this noise is then strongly amplified a noise Will be obtained perfectly audible The maximum signal level of the audio equipmentis limited by the levels of th
5. PULL noA siapeuuoo pue sjueuugsn pe sjoquo gt SaupiiMs SU 9594 OZZ ND 3L VO3SION dHOSSddd WOO CHHIIS SHOLDOINNOO SLNSINLLSN STOHLNOO SSHOLIMS QNVIE HTIX SHOLDIJNNOO 1IVNDES _LNdNI ZA OVI HOLDINNOO NIVHO 5 WA DOV ANY Z dHTX SHOLDINNOO IVNDS LNdLNO HALIMS ANN Hild 1 ANN HL HOLOH BS 39VEIOA ANY FEGHOH ISM HOLDINNOO SNIVIA DUAL STEREO COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE CN 220 3 WORKING PRECAUTIONS The manufacturer is not responsible of any damage occurred in the compressor noise gate unit outside the limits of the warranty or those produced by not keeping in mind the working precautions Mains voltage must be correct and the same as that setting on the rear of the unit voltage switch Damage caused by connection to improper AC voltage is not covered by any warranty DANGER Inside the unit there are high voltages doesnt open it The unitdoesnt contain elements that could be repaired by the user Whenever the compressor noise gate unit is connected to the mains contains elements with high voltages In order to disconnect the unit completely you must disconnect it of the mains CAUTION Protect the compressor noise gate from the rain and moisture Ensure that no objects or liquids enter it If liquid is spilled into the unit disconnect it from the mains and consulta qualified service technician
6. sound destination unit doesn t provide a balanced input When possible employ the connection type 1 Using twin lead shielded cable dG COMPRESSOR NOISE Ud SOUND DESTINATION UNIT Ground referenced sound destination unit d A ANT e em cm COMPRESSOR S NOISE GATE as SOUND PTT DESTINATION dl UNIT as DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 11 2 Using single conductor shielded cable 2 4 Floating sound destination unit gt or n SOUND DESTINATION UNIT COMPRESSOR NOISE GATE merra D mm mm mm mm mm mm mm 1 es COMPRESSOR NOISE GATE 1 Ground referenced of sound destination unit 1 SOUND DESTINATION UNIT mm em mm em mm mm o PRO eee ee ee eee BALANCED INPUT COMPRESSOR 74 NOISE GATE SOUND DESTINATION UNIT Ground referenced oe sound destination unit em SOUND DESTINATION UNIT GROUND LINK In some installations it might be necessary to isolate the compressor noise gate electric ground from the system mains earth in order to avoid ground loops that could generate DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 unwanted noises
7. visualisation of the compressoraction This vumeter is composed by 8 LED s 30 20 5 D 9 6 4 and 2 dB BYPASS SWITCH When we press this compressor bypass switch the compressor will be disabled and the controls and switched won t be operative The gain reduction vumeter will turn off indicating that the input signal is not compressed This switch is totally independent of the eet ETPA noise gate BYPASS COMMON OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL The output level control allow to attenuate or amplify the output signal of 15 5 EN 45 to 15 dB This control is useful for making up gain which was reduced by the compression or matching the input level of a mixer or recorder This control 15 a enabled although the BYPASS switches of the noise gate and the compressor are pressed OUTPUT LEVEL VU M ETER The output level is indicated constantly by this vu meter compound for 2 ourpur teva LED s 30 20 D 8 4 2 0 2 4 8 2 and 16 dB The red 16 dB LED indicates that we have high level in the output however to this level the unit is not saturated still since ithas a headroom of 5 dB lf we want to know the signal input level we will press the noise gate and compressor BYPASS switches and we will locate the output level control to 0 dB centered and this vu meter will indicate us directly the input level DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 CAUTION In Band C
8. CN 220 COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE EQUIPOS EUROPEOS H ECTR NICOS S A L Avda de la Industria 50 28760 TRES CANTOS M ADRID SPAIN 55 34 1804 32 65 4434 1804 43 58 Mi Itairaudio com www altairaudio com DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 A 3 2 SWITCHES CONTROLS AD USTMENTS AND 4 ene 4 5 ee 6 rete rrr eer re reer Terre E rece rr eee te rrr ere eee eee ree ere 6 6 6 CHANGING THE VOLTAGE AND THE 6 CONNECTING TO THE eee 1 INPUT CONNEC ION TRE SUI T _________ _________________ 8 SEA AMAT 9 S EGO _____ _______ _________ ________ 9 UNBALANCED OUTEU pec N N 0 0 0 BALANCED erc ____________________________ 1 GROUND UNE
9. Gate connected internally NOISE GATE TEST MONITOR SWITCH SIDE TEST DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 3 The side test switch allow monitor the output signal obtained after the key filters to set up by ear the signal that we wantto open the noise gate It is a push button Lt because of that upon releasing it the noise gate will return to its normal state This switch will be used only during the sound check since it disables the compressor and noise gate effect NOTE The SIDE TEST switch connect directly the key filters output with the unit output Therefore disable the compressor section and the noise gate BYPASS switch STEREO stereo mode atthe channel 2 this switch monitor the output signal obtained after the channel 2 key filters butthe noise gate trigger with the signal obtained of the channel 1and channel 2 key filters average ACTIVITY LED s SHUT OPEN The activity LED s show the noise gate operation The SHUT red LED indicate that SHUT OPEN the key filters signal level output which trigger the noise gate is bellow the threshold set up The other OPEN green LED report that the key filters signal level output which trigger the noise gate is above the threshold set up lf the BYPASS switch is not depressed when the SHUT red LED light the noise gate will be decreasing the input signal gain and when the OPEN green LED light the signal will pass unchanged through the noise g
10. INPUT CONNECTION The compressor noise gate input signals is carried out through two XLR 3 31female connectors and two JACK wired internally in parallel mode one per each channel The input connections are balanced with a nominal impedance of 10 5 unbalanced The next list shows the input pins correspondence as A E S recommendation practice TP The input connection depends on two factors the first is the type of input signal balanced or unbalanced and the second the ground configuration of the sound source floating or ground referenced The next pictures shows some of the different possibilities of connection relying on the type of input signal balanced or unbalanced and according to the ground configuration of the equipment floating or ground referenced In the next diagrams we use the following symbols Y Sound source with mains cord without ground connection y Sound source with mains cord with ground connection 17 Sound source with the EARTH LINK OFF Lx Sound source with the EARTH LINK ON UNBALANCED INPUT This type of connection will be used when the sound source doesn t provide balanced output When possible employ the connection type 1 Using twin lead shielded cable COMPRESSOR NOISE P SOURCE SOURCE m Ze See DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 Using single conductor shielded cable
11. In the following shows the compressor noise gate block diagram It is draw the channel 1 since the other is identical they are simplified only the options are shown BAND COMPRESSOR DETECTO JO 20 12 3 4 2 0 2 4 8 Y c OUTPUT LEVEL dB BAL UNBAL SIDE TEST UNBAL BAL SALSAS OUTPUT CH CH2 AS SHOWN In the input stage we have XLR and JACK connectors wired internally in parallel for the input signal Following the signal is electronically unbalanced and crosses the SIDE CHAIN JACK nextthe signal crosses the HP and LP noise gate key filters and the compressor detector Note thatthe BAND COM PRESSOR detector doesn t go by the SIDE CHAIN JACK for thatin BAND COM PRESSOR mode we could notintroduce an external control signal Atthe same time the sign crosses the noise gate controlled by their detector and their corresponding BYPASS switch and in this point the signal splitto the compressor and to the BAND COM PRESSOR controlled by their corresponding detectors The compressor and the BAND COM PRESSOR acton the GAIN REDUCTION vu meter in order to indicate the gain reduction made on the input signal Following the BAND COMPRESSOR ON switch without pressing gets the compressor output signal and pressed the BAND COM PRESSOR one How you can see the compressor BYPASS switch puts the compressor in BYPASS as well as the BAND COM PRESSOR In the output stage we were the output level adjustment and the SIDE TEST swit
12. PHONES WITH HIGH COMPRESSION 20 LEVEL VARIATIONS IN VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS senem 20 A88 DPI DoMM 20 SPEAKER PROTEC e M 0 20 PRODUCING THE TALKOVER denter thats nu eti ora dida rex Pk 21 INCREASING THE OUTPUT LEVEL OF A MIXING SIGNAL 21 SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL corista 21 SELECTIVE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL 22 TIME CONTROL 22 10 EECHER 23 DUAL STEREO COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE CN 220 1 INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase of the ALTAIR compressor noise gate CN 220 Our dilated experience in the design and manufacture of effect processing equipment had led to us to carry out this compressor noise gate of great performances There is a lotthe characteristics that make of the ALTAIR CN 220 one of the most highlighted of the audio professional market here enumerated some The ALTAIR CN 220 incorporates in a compact unit a Dual Compressor Limiter with a full featured Noise Gate front end Dedic
13. The sound transmission level through a body depends among other things on the frequency the low sounds are more transmitted than the high pitched through the walls and therefore there are times when a selective sound pressure level control is necessary in order to make possible to increase the power later In order to do that insert the equalised signal in the SIDE CHAIN input as explained in section INCREASING THE OUTPUT LEVEL OF A MIXING SIGNAL The equaliser must be adjusted by imitating the sound transference operation through the wall Because ofthis this transference operation has to be measured for instance by using an spectrum analyser the room we wantto isolate from these frequencies Of course this measurement will be made in the usual pressure conditions of the hall This procedure extensible to any frequency band can be a greatresortfor problems in the transmission of structures without having to reduce excessively the global level of the room because of it TIME CONTROL In many local legislations the allowed sound pressure levels depend on the time ofthe day and because of itis very usual to operate the compressor limiter only from a certain time In order to accomplish this we will use an standard time switch and a relay with a 220 VAC coil and with a double reverse circuit connected as explained in attached picture The time switch will be protected in a sealed box with legal purposes As can be seen in the
14. ate STEREO stereo mode the channel 2 activity LED s won t indicate the channel 2 noise gate operation The channel lactivity LED s will indicate the operation of both noise gates HP AND LP KEY FILTER CONTROLS The lateral filters filter the signal that will arrive to the noise gate sim i aed detector allowing to trigger the noise gate only with the desired instrument gt MIS or with the wanted bandwidth avoiding false gating 5 The high pass filter HP can vary between 30 Hz to 4 KHz and the low pass filter can vary between 200 Hz and 20 KHz allowing an adjustment in all the audible band STEREO Like starting point itis convenient adjust both filters of both channels channel 1and 2 with the same settings since the control on both channels is obtained by the two signals trigger average THRESHOLD CONTROL The threshold control allows setup the level above the signal will pass unchanged through the noise gate If the level is bellow this threshold the noise gate will be decreasing the input signal gain The threshold control can vary between 50 and 20 dBu ATTACK TIM E SWITCH The noise gate attack time is defined as the delay the noise gate opening allow to pass the signal unchanged when a signal rise above the threshold level setup With the ATTACK switch depressed the noise gate attack time will be configured in AUTO mode In this mode the noise gate detecto
15. ated filters are provided in the Gate section to Trigger the gate only by the desired instrument avoiding false gating Test monitoring of the filtered signal is available to set up the gate effect Front panel Attack and Release time parameters are provided for optimal sound reconstruction or special effects creations Background stage noises are easily removed without signal degradation enhancing instrument control and mixing operation Special attention has been taken to provide the professionals with a general purpose device Specs such as 24 dBu max Input Output level operation and extremely low output noise guarantee a broad range of audio industry applications Additional features include a Band Compressor mode with adjustable frequency selection to achieve a variety of effects as De Essing Vocal Stopping Drum Levelling etc by compressing only the desired band without altering the whole audio spectrum Electric Bass guitar sounds for example become more natural as the harmonic contents are unaltered when Slap Bass playing Full specs full features take the Altair CN 220 a step further in Audio Dynamic Processing Naturally wantto use your compressor noise gate but before beginning is important that you read this manual This manual will help you to install and use your new compressor noise gate It Is very importantthat you read it carefully mainly the paragraphs marked as NOTE PRECAUTION and DANGER for your
16. block diagram the signal controlled by the detector and therefore the compressor dynamic pass through the SIDE CHAIN connector in such a way thatthe compressor will stop compressing if we interrupt it With the relay activated as showed in the picture the compressor will start operating The signal cable must be shortand screened because the primary circuit goes to the mains To avoid noises or mains isolations itis better to puta transformer of 220 to 12V in the time switch output for instance and use a relay of 12 V of alternate Another solution may be to use a 9 12 V converter of DC and use a relay of DC of 9 or 12 being perhaps the most safe and economic STEREO JACK 1 4 SLEEVE SIDE RING SIDE CHAIN CH2 TIME SWITCH RING STEREO 1 4 SLEEVE NC 2 E 1 220 RELAY DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 23 10 TECHNICAL SPECIHCATIONS TECHNICAL SPECIHCATIONS INPUTS Je XIR331and INPUT IMPEDANCE INPUT LEVEL OUTPUTS Je 3 32aNd JACK OUTPUT IMPEDANCE OUTPUT LEVEL SIDE CHAIN INPUT OUTPUT JACK Y unbalanced e OdBu nominal 21dBu maximum 20 Hz to 40 KHz 0 0 5 dB THD N 0 0396 0 dBu 20 Hz 20 compression e THD N 0 0596 0 dBu IKHz 20 dB compression
17. ch that upon pressing getthe output directly of the noise gate HP and LP KEY FILTERS In the SIDE TEST output is gotten the output level vu meter reference and later the signal is balanced and goes to the output XLR and JACK wired in parallel The stereo switch allow us to selectthe unit working mode 8 REPAIR GUIDE For service purposes the unit must be open by removing the seven screws on the top cover NOTE This type of operations takes place with the unitopen for whatit should be carried outby a qualified technician DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 2 DANGER Before opening the unit disconnect it from the mains Itis important to indicate that although the unitis power out with the power switch 0 position If it continues connected to the mains there are different parts of the unit that are subjected to high voltage CAUTION Protect compressor noise gate from the rain and moisture mainly if itis open If liquid Is spilled into the unit disconnect it from the mains and consulta qualified service technician Keep in mind that both outputs are symmetrical so when the section is identified you could interchange components except for the circuits that are common as could be the power supply We recommend a meticulous visual exam before beginning to change anything in the unit burnt resistors potentiometers with a broken trace etc This exam many times gives us the key for the problem saving time a
18. e internal operating voltages If the signal exceeded the internal operating voltages audible signal distortion is the result practice this limitation is greater since a certain reserve mustbe maintained to avoid distortion of the audio signal if sudden level peak occur In technical words we refer to this reserve as headroom If we reduce the input signal level we reduce the risk of signal distortion due to level peeks however atthe same time the noise floor level will be increased if we wantobtain the same output signal level since we mustamplify more The compressor limiter actas automatic gain controls decreasing the signal level above certain level THRESHOLD restricting the dynamic range and allowing us increase the audio equipment headroom without decrease the input signal level The difference between a compressor and a limiter is thatlimiters abruptly limitthe signal above the threshold while the compressors will decrease the signal level above the threshold depend on the compression ratio set up and the ratio of the input signal level and the threshold it s to say gradually How we explained previously the noise limits the audio equipment dynamic range The noise gates decrease the signal gain abruptly bellow the threshold allowing increase the audio equipment dynamic range achieving the inverse function of a compressor limiter The ALTAIR CN 220 incorporates a dual Compressor Limiter with a full featured Noise
19. eto 208 2005 ALDOR RTRONCSLESON Y EQUIPOS EUROPEOS ELECTR NICOS S A L 1 Beer Avda de la Industria 50 28760 TRES CANTOS MADRID SPAIN 934 91 761 65 80 34 91 804 43 58 Jaltair altairaudio com www altairaudio com
20. hreshold control will pass unchanged and 0 20 DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 the signals above the level defined atthe threshold control will be compressed in correspondence with the compression ratio control adjustment The threshold range control varies from 40 to 20 dBu COM PRESSION RATIO CONTROL The compression ratio controls the amount of compression which will happen i once the input signal crosses the threshold level Its adjustment determines the number of dB that the input signal should increase in order to increase a dB the b di output signal whenever the input signal cross the threshold level For example if we RADO _ adjusted the compression ratio control to 4 the variation of 4 dB in the input signal will be reflected in the outputas only 1dB variation A variation of 8 dB will produce 2 dB of variation etc If we adjusted the compression ratio control to 1 1 the input signal won t be modified for the compressor for whatwe will have a compressor BYPASS and the threshold control won t affect Adjusting the compression ratio to 1 the compressor will work like a limiter that to say the output signal will never overcome the threshold level adjustment no matter how much above the threshold the input signal goes 84 GAIN REDUCTION VUM ETER The gain reduction produced by the input signal compression itis indicated in DH this vumeter allowing us in all moment the
21. ignal level takes place This effect could be reduced with the compressor limiter Adjustthe compression ratio between 2 1and 4 1and immediately adjustthe compression threshold until a good result is reached If necessary itis possible to vary the compression ratio again From the same way itis possible to regulate the instruments level variations being able to maintain presentthe bass sound and stabilising the level changes in the jack level in several Keyboards Adjustthe compression ratio like in the previous case between 2 1and 4 1 and the compression threshold until obtain the wanted result The compression will produce us a sonority decrease produced by the variations between the instrument cords increasing the notes maintenance and reducing the excess of sibilance RECORDINGS During the recordings the compressor limiter adapts the program dynamic margin to the support used if the program has a dynamic margin of 100 dB and the recording support has a dynamic margin of 80 dB it will be necessary to reduce the program dynamic margin to 80 dB For this application adjustthe compression ratio to 2 1 and adjustthe compression threshold so that the program strongest signal produces a gain reduction of 15 or 20 dB Lastly adjustthe output level in order to obtain 0 dBu atthe recording unit If adjustthe unit like limiter it cancel the peaks to avoid the band saturation SPEAKER PROTECTION The compressor limiter is largely used to p
22. lt 0 03 0 dBu 20 Hz 20 KHz no compression INTERCHANNEL CROSSTALK Better than 80 dB 20 Hz 20 KHz e Better 60 dB 20 Hz 20 KHz e Better 96 dBu 20 Hz 20 KHz unweighted Gate section in By pass Better than 98 dBu 20 Hz 20 KHz unweighted Gate section in SHUT state Variable from 25 dB to 15 dB Detent position atO dB e HPF 30 Hz 4 KHz LPF 200 Hz 20 KHz GATE SECTION AUTO mode Program dependent FAST mode T 100 usg RELEASE TIME e Variable from 10 msg to 2 sg RANGE le SHUTstate attenuation 80 dB 20 dB e Variable from 40 dBu to 20 dBu THRESHOLD e Soft Knee type contour COMPRESSION SECTI TRANSITI ATTACK RELEASE e Automatic Program content dependent TIMES RATIO 00 e Variable from 11 no compression to ce 1 limiter BAND COMPRESSOR Variable from 80 Hz to 10 KHz OPTIONS Plastic or metal key protected security cover NOTE Technical specifications subject variation without previous notice DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISE GATE CN 220 2 IL WARRANTY This unitis warranted by Equipos Europeos Electr nicos to the original user against flaws in the manufacturing and in the materials for a period of one year starting from the date of sale Faws due to wrong use of the unit internal modifications or accidents are not covered by this warranty There is no other warranty expressed or implici
23. mended cleaning it by compressed air only In order to change a potentiometer the unit mustbe opened Care mustbe taken when removing the bottom cover as the line transformer is attached to it To remove the front panel extract all five visible screws The sub panel behind the front panel is joined to the chassis by four screws located in the chassis sides and by the potentiometers Special care must be taken when re install the front panel because some delicate parts as the LED lamps must be introduced in small panel holes and itis a noteasy operation Q Normally the signal reductions in the unit are produced by three causes the LEVEL potentiometers the unbalanced circuit and the electronic balanced one In the unbalanced and electronic balanced circuits a signal reduction around 6 dB reveals that one halves of the circuit has any trouble The LEVEL potentiometers failures gives also sudden random signal reductions as well as swinging signals VN DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISE 220 19 9 APPLICATION EXAMPLES SUPPRESSING CROSSTALK IN MULTI MIC APPLICATIONS The most frequent application of a noise gate is the elimination of unwanted crosstalk between microphones during recording and playback mainly in the drum sounds because here several microphones closely positioned nextto each other By this reason itis desirable to gate each microphone in order to avoid the crosstalk in adjacent microphones In order to begin itis imp
24. nd unnecessary efforts Keep in mind when removing an element of the main board that itis single layer printed circuit and the components PADs could get up if applies them an excessive heat This is important mainly in components having many pins integrated circuits connectors etc for which itis recommended to use a good desoldering station Next paragraphs details some of the most frequent fixes as a guide to the qualified technical service helping to repair the unit J If a fuse break due to a mains transient or when the unithas been connected accidentally to 380 line voltages replace it with the same ratings as described before If it breaks again check the overvoltage protections placed on the voltage selector If broken substitute them by an equivalent part 130 volts VARISTOR 2 lf the power supply fails itis necessary to check the rectifier bridge 013 the filter capacitors C55 C56 C57 and C58 and the regulators U31and 032 Keep in mind tnat if the unithas been turned on the regulators heatsinks could be hot with the rising danger of burns Upon changing the damaged element itis necessary to ascertain that no element is overheating in the main board since this can be origin of the problem Qn potentiometers have a limited live span they could become dirty and produce noise upon moving them It is important that you don t use sprays cleaners over potentiometers since they can become damaged shortly We recom
25. normal position not inverted if you only wants to change the fuse If what you wantare change the mains voltage rotate the fuseholder until remains the mains voltage to which itis going to connectthe unit in normal position not inverted DUAL STEREO COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE CN 220 Compressor noise gate setup to 15 V SELECTED MAINS E VOLTAGE GER Compressor noise gate setup to 230 V SELECTED MAINS VOLTAGE Make sure that the fuse is the right one for the selected voltage FUSE 230V 50 60 Hz FUSE IBV 50 60 Hz NOTE The fuseholder provide a place for spare fuse CAUTION Always make sure upon changing the fuse that this is the adequate for the selected mains voltage for 15V and T0 5A for 230V CONNECTING TO THE MAINS The connection of the compressor noise gate power supply to the mains takes place by a standard cord included in the box Q Make sure that the unit power switch is 0 position turned off Insert the female connector of the tripolar cable into the unit power supply male connector placed atthe rear panel 3 Insert the male connector of the tripolar cable into the mains plug Qu on the unit power switch In that moment ACTIVITY LED indicator red or green Of the noise gate section will light indicating thatthe unit is turned on CAUTION Make sure that the mains voltage is the correctas well as their fuse 15 the adequate
26. o JACK with the signal in the tip If we wantto process equalise expand level change etc the input signal we will connecta stereo JACK and we will obtain the input signal the ring and we will return to the unit for the tip The external control J ACK connector input and output are unbalanced The input impedance is 10 and the output impedance is 220 Q The input and output SIDE CHAIN nominal level is 3 dB NOTE the Band Compressor mode the external control is disabled 6 OPTIONS In this section will explain the different available options for the unit SECURITY COVER TP 1 In some installation it could be necessary to tamper proof the front panel controls avoiding unwanted or accidental manipulations For this purpose itis available as an option a transparent plastic security cover The installation is very easy by means of two screws provided KEY LOCKED SECURITY COVER TS 1 In some installations itis necessary isolate the compressor noise gate controls more securely than with the plastic security cover For this extra protection itis available an all metallic and lockable security cover This option cover fits into the four rack holes of the unit and includes rear nut bars allowing the installation as a stand alone unit DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 tt This cover prevents also from unauthorised extraction of the unit when rack mounted 7 BLOCK DIAGRAM AND HOW IT WORKS
27. ompressor mode the headroom is more limited for what it is not advisable overcome the 16 dB of output level when we operate with negative adjustment of the output level control STEREO SWITCH The stereo switch allow us to selectthe unit working mode With this switch depressed the unit operation mode is DUAL this permitus the treatment of two independent signals adjusting each noise gates and compressor of independent mode Upon pressing switch the channel 2 will be slave ofthe channel 1 for whatthe controls of the channel 2 will be disabled exceptfor the cases specified with the STEREO note TEST MONITOR SWITCH ACTIVITY LED s HP AND LP KEY FILTER CONTROLS and BAND COM PRESSOR SWITCH AND CONTROL explained each one in their corresponding section NOTE STEREO mode the signal that arrives to the noise gate and compressor detectors is average of the two input signals SIDE CHAIN CONNECTOR In the noise gate and compressor normal operation the input signal 15 SIDE CHAIN Jes used for the noise gate and compressor detector in order to carry outthe noise di gate triggers and compress the same input signal This 1 4 stereo o d connector allow to use another signal or the same input signal processed in order to trigger the noise gate and compress the input signal according to the adjusted parameters In order to introduce a signal different from the input signal we will use a mon
28. ortantthe microphones placement so thatthey capture the minor possible signal of the adjacent instruments Once placed adjustthe noise gate HP and LP KEY FILTERS so thatthe noise gate is only triggered with the sound ofthe instrumentthat we wantto gate Use the SIDE TEST function to monitor the signal that will trigger the noise gate Adjustthe noise gate THRESHOLD so thatthe threshold level remain lower than the minimum signal produced by the instrument and higher than the crosstalk signals of the adjacent instruments this maybe is the most delicate step Lastly adjustthe noise gate RELEASE so thatthe instrument overall sound character will be retained GATING DRUMS The difference between rally musically effective drum gating and disastrous gating is a fine line Ambience crash cymbals resonating skins and snare and hi hatbleed are among the most common pests when recording acoustic drums The following tips may help you elude any of these bleed problems and allow all drum effects or equalisers to receive the cleanest of uninterrupted natural drum sounds With this application we will be used the two channels of the noise gate and two channels of the mixer console For key mic routing and patched gated signal Step Setup two microphones on the snare one underneath almost touching the snares key mic your Second microphone normally positioned one to four inches away above the snare Snare mic Step 2 Setup gate getting on
29. r adapts the attack time to the input program content allowing an easy and quick noise gate adjustment on the part of the user DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 With the ATTACK switch pressed the noise gate attack time will be configured in FAST mode In this mode the attack time is very fast saving the signal rise edge Therefore in this mode the noise gate adjustment is more difficult RELEASE TIM E CONTROL The noise gate hold time is defined as the delay in the noise gate closing decreasing the input signal gain when a signal drop the threshold level setup The release time begins after the hold time and ends when the gain reduction gt 4 adjusted with the RANGE switch is achieved RELEASE The release time control adjustthe noise gate release time between 10 msg and 2 sg and atthe same time setup a hold time according with the release time adjustment RANGE SWITCH The range switch determines the amount of gain reduction produced in the 2 program signal when the noise gate is close With this switch depressed the program gain reduction will be 80 dB and with this switch pressed the program gain reduction will be 20 dB In most of the applications itis preferable use the 20 dB range thatalthough it don t produce a total gate and introduce less adverse effects when signals with much noise floor are processed BYPASS SWITCH When we press this noise gate bypass s
30. revent possible breaks downs in the speakers due to abusive manipulations and certain negligences such as break of cables falling of mics etc The compressor limiter improves the intelligibility of the speakers since it allows thatlow level signals are reproduced by the system with the maximum amplification DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE CN 220 A The compressor limiter adjustment this application depends on the speakers system characteristics but in circumstances in which the break risk of the speakers increases many technicians adjust the compression ratio to 1 that is to say adjusted like limiter depending the compression threshold adjustment on the speaker system characteristics PRODUCING THE TALKOVER EFFECT To produce the talkover effect in the signal all we have to do is to introduce partof the voice signal or channel line output that we wantto project from the general level into the compressor SIDE CHAIN input When the signal introduced into the INSERT input surpass the compression threshold the program signal level will descend automatically Of course if we don t wantthe voice affected by this compression it should not be introduced into the compressor This is easily achieved using SUBGROUPS INCREASING THE OUTPUT LEVEL OF A MIXING SIGNAL Itis possible to separate voices and instruments of a mix signal by means of a frequency compression The way to do itis to introduce a graphic equaliser in
31. security Save the original packing you can re use itto transportthe unit NEVER SHIP THE ALTAIR CN 220 WITHOUT IT S ORIGINAL PACKING St 5 HAWOd HOLWSS WNC 15 TOALNOO HIHIA7 YA JOdL NOO OU Vd NOlSSHHd JOdLNOO CTIOHSHHHL HALINS IOHLNOO YOSSJdd WOO ANVE m 035315 035315 ETT 1ndino BAJI OP 2 952 5020 NIYI 1531 30 5 o 315 Set mie D HOLIMS SSvaAg e JONA HOLIMS ry 5 St OHLNOO3IAILL Q 5 d aa n HOLIMS SO VILLV 2 CIOHSIHHL 4 PT 006 STOHL NOO AMB SZ 4 005 SCHT ALIALLDV a mrs HOLIMS HOLINOI 1581 Lj 1531 396 E E v YA p 05 CN o o AR see Aa Deh Oo e ism e Ze Ba NOSS3UdWOD wm oi Wes 3 CH Pa Cer id B E 59 di Ire 29 NODUM Nvo az Oe Wee 1151 315 md EINVd INOW uonoes buipuodsauoo ui puy IM Jo euo yes jo uoneue dxo pue uondins p esiou 10ssaJduuoo 1na ui
32. shold level remain lower than the minimum signal produced by the instrument and higher than the noise background signals this maybe is the most delicate step Lastly adjustthe noise gate RELEASE so thatthe instrument overall sound character will be retained REDUCING FEEDBACK IN MICROPHONES WITH HIGH COMPRESSION In stage microphones for voice treatment if the signal is high compressed upon taking place a pause in the signal the compressor automatically increases their gain upon falling the signal below the compression threshold it stop compressing the signal and it could give rise to feedbacks The noise gate could be used in order to eliminate these feedbacks Upon introducing the noise gate in the signal path if a pause in the sign takes place and falls below the noise gate threshold the noise gate will reduce the gain compensating the increase of gain due to the compressor for whatthe feedback won ttake place With the attack time switch in AUTO and the range switch in 80 dB it could use configured to 20 dB if you are wanted to simplify the adjustment adjustthe noise gate threshold so that mute the microphone when the signal pauses take place this maybe is the most delicate step Lastly adjustthe noise gate RELEASE so thatthe overall sound character will be retained LEVEL VARIATIONS IN VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS When there is a variation in the distance between the singer or vocalist and the microphone a change in the s
33. snare mic not choking signal with too much threshold Step 5 Solo key mic input set up gate on key mic with fast release fast attack tightest possible threshold you ll just hear a tick with snare contact and maximum range 80 dB Step 4 Atthis point you must patch output of gated key mic signal to the SIDE CHAIN inputon snare mic gate so thatthe key mic gate trigger the snare mic gate This method of gating will completely separate snare tom and kick signals without injuring in any way the natural sound qualities of each of these drums therefore allowing effects and equalisers to receive the cleanest possible send Stacey T Heydon producer engineer Sheriff 1 single guitarist Da wd Bowie REDUCING BACKGROUND NOISE In applications thathave a high background noise recording plate noise guitars and bass amplifiers noise broadcast applications with a wide auditory and multiple microphones etc could be eliminated with the noise gate Adjustthe noise gate HP and LP KEY FILTERS in vocal applications in the voice frequency range in applications with bass or guitar covers the instrument bandwidth in full range applications leave the filters full range so thatthe noise gate is only triggered with the sound of the instrument that we wantto gate Use the SIDE TEST function to monitor the signal that will trigger the noise gate DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 Adjustthe noise gate THRESHOLD so thatthe thre
34. t Any faulty unit must be sent to the dealer or the manufacturer The serial number of the unit must be included with any requestfor the technical service Equipos Europeos Electr nicos reserves the right to modify the prices or the technical specifications without notice EQUIPOS EUROPEOS H ECTR NICOS S A L Avda de la Industria 50 28760 TRES CANTOS M ADRID SPAIN 277 55 1804 32 65 434 1804 43 58 if attairgaltairaudio com www altairaudio com 25 DUAL STEREO COM PRESSOR NOISE GATE CN 220 European Union Waste Electronics Information Uni n Europea Informaci n sobre residuos electr nicos Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment WEEE directive The WEEE logo signifies specific recycling programs and procedures for electronic products in countries of the European Union We encourage the recycling of our products If you have further questions about recycling contact your local sales office Directiva sobre Residuos de Aparatos El ctricos y Electr nicos RAEE El logotipo de la Directiva RAEE se refiere a los programas y procedimientos espec ficos de reciclaje para aparatos electr nicos de pa ses de la Uni n Europea Recomendamos el reciclaje de nuestros productos Si tiene alguna consulta p ngase en contacto con su Distribuidor Information based on European Union WEEE Directive 2002 96 EC Informaci n basada en la Directiva de la uni n europea RAEE 2002 96 EC y el Real Decr
35. the compressor SIDE CHAIN input The equaliser must equalise the programmed signal and mustintroduce itin the compressor SIDE CHAIN input while the compressor input is connected to the program signal of course this has not been equalised The bands amplified by the equaliser will Show up more compressed in the output signal and the output signal will not be affected by the phase changes produced by the equaliser once the compressor threshold is reached Of course the output level of the whole program is affected when the compression takes place and so we will have to adjustthe output level control SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL The compressor limiter has a wide range of application in sound pressure level control of discos and pubs in order to warrantthe maximum level authorised by the local authority With this purpose itis always placed in the last point of the audio chain thatis to say before the power amplifier or before the active divisor if working in multi amplification If the hall has a graphic equaliser itis highly advisable to keep it out of the reach of the DJ thatis why it will be protected with a sealed lid once the equalisation has taken place To adjustthe compressor connectthe compressor inputs to the equaliser outputs or mixing console and connectthe outputs to the power stage inputs Choose a recording containing a big percussive and loud sound Adjustthe pick up sensitivity that channel fader and the master to the ma
36. witch the noise gate will be disabled and pese the controls and switched won t be operative The activity LED s continue working indicating our setup butthe program signal will pass unchanged through the noise gate COMPRESSOR BAND COM PRESSOR CONTROL AND SWITCH When the band compressor is active it s to say with the ON switch pressed the compressor stops compressing in the whole audio spectrum in order to only 0 compress in the selected band With the ON switch depresses the compressor 400 m work normally in whole audio spectrum AES The band compressor control allow to configure the selected band from 80 Hz to 10 KHz Configured the band compressor control between 5 KHz and 10 KHz works like DE ESSER it allow to reduce notably the sibilance effect that takes place with the treatment of vocals with a great content in high frequencies mainly with the letter s In band compressor mode the compression ratio and the threshold adjusts continues working 80 FREQ STEREO In stereo mode any of the ON switches will putboth compressors in band compressor mode however the band compressor control will be independent in both channels for that if you wantthatthe band compressors work symmetrical both controls will placed atthe same position THRESHOLD CONTROL 20 098 The threshold control sets level where compression will begin The signals below the level defined at t
37. ximum Select STEREO operation mode by pressing the compressor STEREO button the RATIO THRESHOLD and OUTPUT controls will depend on its adjustment in the CH1channel in both channels for this operation mode Adjust the RATIO control to the hall is very problematic or to 8 1if it is not Adjust the THRESHOLD compression threshold to the left until the GAIN REDUCTION indicator indicates 15 dB in the program peaks Adjust the OUTPUT control to 15 dB Connect the power amplifier s with their gain controls to the maximum Now the momenthas come to use a the sound pressure level measuring system in the hall or in the streetor behind the hall walls in the house subjectto protection Increase the OUTPUT control by turning itto the right until it reaches to the maximum level authorised for the sonometer in that point This operation is more reliable if the noises produced by the customers in the hall are included in the measures If the outcomes are not entirely satisfactory repeat every adjustment but adjusting THRESHOLD until the gain reduction reaches 20 dB DUAL STEREO COMPRESSOR NOISEGATE 220 d A Finally itis advisable to try different musical programs and to vary the mixer equalisation in order to make a final touch in the output level control Once the compressor is adjusted to your liking itis as well to putthe plastic protection lead and to seal it if necessary SELECTIVE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search