THE CONTROLS
1. BYPASS: Removes the compressor/limiter from the signal path, although the tube
circuit is left in the signal path. The meter will show gain reduction and
output level as if the compressor/limiter is in the signal path.
2. GAIN: Sets the input level of the DCL-200. When linking both sides of the DCL-
200 for stereo operation, this control will still need to be set individually
for each side.
3. AC
THRESHOLD: This controls the amount of gain reduction that will take place and the
level at which compression starts. A high setting (far left) will require a
large amount of signal to pass for compression to start and a low setting
(far right) will require less signal to start compression.
4. SLOPE: Controls the compression ratio of the DCL-200. The higher the setting, the
higher the compression ratio. This ratio changes depending on the signal
level and the setting of the AC Threshold, and can vary from less than 1.1
to 1 to as high as 7 to 1.
5. ATTACK: This determines the time it takes the DCL-200 to respond to an incoming
signal. A setting of 0 on this control yields a fast attack time of about .1mS
and a setting of 10 produces a slower attack time (about 100mS).
6. RELEASE: The release control determines the amount of time it takes the DCL-200 to
return to unity gain after compression. A setting of 0 is the fastest release
time (up to 35mS) and 10 is the slowest (up to 10S). As the release time is
increased, the DCL-200 becomes more and more program dependant.
1) NOTE: The attack and release values are not on the dial because they
interact with each other and vary with different amounts of gain
reduction, AC Threshold and Slope control settings. The given values
for attack and release times are measured with 12 dB of gain
reduction and full signal change.
2) NOTE: The DCL-200 has the capability of extremely fast attack and
release times. This may tend to modulate complex waveforms,
especially those with lots of low frequency content. A “clicking” sound
may result. Increase the release (clockwise); this should alleviate the
artifact.
7. METER
SWITCH: This switch selects the VU to meter either output level or gain reduction.
8. LINK: Links both channels of the DCL-200 for stereo operation. When in stereo
(linked) mode, the AC Threshold, Slope, Attack, and Release controls of
the top channel (channel 1) will control both channels. The bypass switch,
meter switches, and the gain controls need to be set individually.
9. POWER: Switches the DCL-200 on and off.
10. OL LIGHT: The overload or cliplamp is an LED that will light between .25 and .5 dB
before clipping. The lamp has a pulse stretcher circuit to make it easier to
see on quick peaks. The OL lamp is always in the main signal path.
