Precision Channel Strip

Clean Tone and Dynamics Control

Precision Channel Strip combines five overlapping EQ bands with a compressor/limiter designed for general-purpose mixing. Each band spans the full audio range, so the LF and HF labels do not restrict where it can work. The outer bands also switch to shelves or cut filters.

The dynamics section covers gentle compression through limiting with continuously adjustable ratio, threshold, attack, and release. This is a utility processor rather than a named vintage-hardware emulation. EQ and dynamics can be bypassed independently, and their processing order can be reversed.

Choosing the Order

With EQ first, tonal changes alter what reaches the compressor. Selecting Dynamics Pre EQ instead compresses the un-EQ'd signal and shapes its tone afterward. Use the separate module output gains to control the level between stages and at the output.

Automatic gain compensation can help audition compressor settings, but compare at an appropriate listening level rather than treating makeup gain as proof of an improvement. The input/output and gain-reduction meters show different aspects of the signal.

Source: Manual - Operational Overview; Equalizer Controls; Dynamics Controls; Output Controls.

Five-Band EQ

• Band Enable: Auditions each band separately without deleting its settings.
• Frequency: Sets the band's center or filter frequency anywhere from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• Gain: Provides up to 18 dB of boost or cut.
• Bandwidth (Q): Controls width from broad to narrow. Higher Q produces a more focused curve.
• LF1 / LF2 filter modes: At the minimum bandwidth setting these become low shelves; at the maximum they become high-pass filters.
• HF1 / HF2 filter modes: Minimum selects high shelves; maximum selects low-pass filters.

Gain is unavailable for a band operating as a high-pass or low-pass filter. Use the filter/shelf symbols to select these modes quickly.

Dynamics

Threshold determines the level around which gain reduction is triggered; lowering it generally brings more of the source into compression. The range is -60 to 0 dB.

Ratio runs from 1:1 to infinity:1. Low ratios give gentler control; high ratios act as limiting.

Attack determines how quickly reduction develops. Its maximum is 100 ms, while its minimum depends on sample rate. Slower settings allow more initial transient through.

Release sets recovery from 25 to 2500 ms. Listen for pumping at short settings and excessive sustained reduction at long settings.

Auto Gain compensates for compression-related level loss. DYN > EQ moves dynamics before the equalizer.

Module Levels and Metering

• EQ Enable / Dynamics Enable: Bypass the corresponding module independently.
• EQ Level / Dynamics Level: Set each module's output from -25 to +15 dB.
• Meter Input/Output: Chooses what the stereo level meters display.
• GR Meter: Shows gain reduction separately from signal level.
• Power: Bypasses the full strip.

Use the module bypasses and level controls together for useful comparisons, particularly when an EQ boost is changing the amount of compression.

Source: Manual - Operational Overview; Equalizer Controls; Dynamics Controls; Output Controls.