api 527A Compressor User Manual

api 527A Compressor

Introduction

The API 527A Compressor/Limiter takes its place alongside the family of API VCA based compressors, the 225L compressor and 529, 2500, and 2500+ stereo bus compressors. Anyone familiar with these units will immediately be at home with the 527A. Features common to the line include “feed forward” (NEW) and “feed- back” (OLD) gain reduction methods selectable on the front panel, provide a choice of “that old way” or “the new way” of compression, for the highest level of flexibility in signal gain control. The “old way” or feed-back method is what most of the classic compressors used for the gain control circuit. The “new way” gain reduction is more typical of the newer VCA type compressors that rely on RMS detectors for the gain control voltage. There is a “SOFT”/”HARD” knee switch for an “over-easy” type compression resulting in a very natural, uncompressed sound or a typical sharp knee type that lends itself to a much more severe limiting effect. The patented THRUST function can be switched in and out via the front panel as well, applying a filter before the RMS detector circuit that preserves that punchy bottom end. Two or more 527A Compressor/Limiters can be linked together via a DC link allowing multiple units to be combined for stereo and multichannel applications.The output level remains fairly constant regardless of the threshold or ratio control, much like the”more/less” Ceiling control on the API 525 Compressor. This allows for live adjustments without any noticeable gain changes in the program level. The 527A Compressor/Limiter makes use of the 2510 and 2520 discrete op-amps and exhibits the reliability, long life, and signature sound which are characteristic of API products.

Features

• Feed-forward or feed-back compression
• Hard or soft knee compression
• Patented THRUST switch for frequency-dependent side chain control
• Continuously variable, 31 position detented THRESHOLD control
• Continuously variable, 31 position detented RATIO control
• Continuously variable, 31 position detented ATTACK and RELEASE controls
• Continuously variable, 31 position detented OUT (output) level control
• 10-segment gain reduction/VU meter (GR/Output)
• Overload LED
• IN switch with soft and hard relay bypass
• Audio circuit uses the 2510 and 2520 discrete op-amps

Overview

The 527A Compressor provides a comprehensive suite of controls:

• THRESHold : The level at which compression begins (+10dB to -20dB)
• RATIO : The amount of compression applied after threshold (1:1 to ∞:1)
• ATTACK : The time it takes for the compressor to respond (1 to 25 milliseconds)
• RELEASE : The time it takes the compressor to return to unity gain (.3 to 3 seconds)
• OUTput : Manual output level (make-up gain) control (-∞ to +10dB)
• LINK: Activates the DC link for stereo/multichannel operation with other 527A & 527 modules
• TYPE: NEW (feed-forward) or OLD (feedback) detection path topology
• KNEE: The HARD or SOFT response curve at the onset of compression.
• THRUST: Patented circuit that inserts a filter before the RMS detector
• IN/BYP: Press to toggle compression IN or out or hold to engage hard bypass (BYP)
• 10-Segment LED Meter: 10-segment LED meter (selectable gain reduction or output level)
• METER: Selects gain reduction (GR) or output (OUT) as the meter source
• OV (overload): LED peak LED (illuminates at +21dBu)

Compressor Controls

Threshold:

• THRESHold: Sets the level at which compression begins
• Continuously variable range between +10dB and -20dB
• 31-position detented rotary pot for easy recall

Ratio

RATIO : Sets the ratio of input vs. output levels for signals that fall above the set THRESHold

• Continuously variable between 1:1 and ∞:1 (x:1)
• 31-position detented rotary pot for easy recall
• Compression with RATIOs of 10:1 or greater is generally considered to be limiting

Attack & Release

Attack and Release times are controlled via a dual-concentric potentiometer. The outside pot (ring) controls attack time and the inside pot (center) controls release time. For ease of understanding these controls are show separately below.

Attack

ATTACK: Sets the time it takes the compressor to react when the level exceeds the set THRESHold

• Continuously variable between 1 and 25 milliseconds (mS)
• 31-position detented rotary pot for easy recall

Release

RELEASE: Sets the time it takes the compressor to recover to unity gain after the level falls below the set THRESHold

• Continuously variable between .3 and 3 seconds (S)
• 31-position detented rotary pot for easy recall

Output

OUT : Manual output level control (make up gain)

• Continuously variable between -∞ and +10dB
• 0 = unity gain
• 31-position detented rotary pot for easy recall

Compressor TYPE

The 527A compressor can be set to operate in two circuit topologies or “TYPEs” that determine where the signal that feeds the RMS detector comes from:

• OLD: Feed-Back topology: The RMS detector receives the signal from after the VCA
• NEW: Feed-Forward topology: The RMS detector receives the signal from before the VCA

NEW (Feed-Forward)

In a feed-forward compressor, the RMS detector normally gets its signal from a split of the input signal. With this method, the RMS detector sends a signal to the VCA that is an exact ratio of the desired compression set by the RATIO control. This is how many new VCA based compressors work. This can yield more aggressive compression and a harder, more affected sound.

OLD (Feed-back)

In a feed-back compressor, the RMS detector gets its signal from the output of the gain reduction device (VCA). This is how older API 525, 1176 type, and 660 type compressors work. This yields a smoother, softer, more transparent sound.

The compressor circuit topology is selected using the TYPE switch.

TYPE : Toggle to select the compressor circuit topology

• NEW: Engages the feed-forward topology
• OLD: Engages feed-back topology

Compressor KNEE

The KNEE function determines the shape of the 527A compressor’s response curve at the onset of compression.

The 527A compressor has two (2) KNEE settings that control how the compressor transitions into compression:

• HARD : Sharp response curve
• SOFT: Rounded response curve

HARD KNEE Compression

HARD: Sharp response curve

• Immediate onset of compression (sudden transition to set ratio)
• More aggressive and noticeable

SOFT KNEE Compression

SOFT: Rounded response curve

• Gradual onset of compression (fade-in up to the set ratio)
• Similar to an “over-easy” type knee
• More transparent

The knee of the compressor is selected using the KNEE switch.

KNEE : Set to select the response curve at the onset of compression

• HARD: Sharp response curve

THRUST ®

The 527A compressor includes API’s patented THRUST circuit that can be switched in or out as needed. This places the THRUST filter before the RMS detector that decreases the compressor’s reaction to low frequency content. The result is a noticeable increase of punch and low frequencies, but a uniformly compressed signal. It’s the “little more punch” switch!  The patented THRUST circuit has been used for many years in the famed API 2500 Stereo Compressor, the new 2500+, ATI Paragon and Paragon II consoles, as well as the Pro6 Input Strip. This circuit places a filter in front of the RMS detector with a slope of 10dB per decade (-3dB/8va), which is the  inverse of the pink noise energy curve. In acoustics, the pink noise curve is used to equalize energy vs. frequency over the audio spectrum, as sound requires more low frequency energy than high frequency energy to sound correct to your ear. In Hi-fi equipment, a “LOUDNESS” contour is used to
equalize the music at lower levels so it sounds correct. Even with this curve, there is still a substantial amount of low frequency information compared to high frequency information in the audio signal path. When that signal is fed into the RMS detector, the detector will process the signal into a DC control voltage based upon those louder low frequencies, resulting in a control voltage that favors the low frequencies of the signal, causing pumping and a loss of punch. Sometimes, this is not desirable. By engaging the THRUST ® switch, this inverse filter is placed in front of the RMS detector, evening out the energy by lowering the energy in the low frequencies and increasing the energy in the high frequencies, so each octave has the same energy instead of each octave having half the energy as the one lower. This creates a unique compression effect that still reduces the overall gain, but the sound is much more punchy and the signal actually sounds less compressed. With THRUST engaged (IN) gradual, linear filter, down 15dB at 20Hz and up 15dB at 20kHz is applied
to the signal feeding the RMS detector, equalizing the energy going into the RMS detector. This decreases the way the higher frequencies are compressed. The overall difference is a noticeable increase of punch and low frequencies, but a uniformly compressed signal. It is the “little more punch” function.

The THRUST circuit can be engaged using the THRUST switch.

THRUST : Set to engage the THRUST function

• IN : Inserts the THRUST filter before the RMS detector
• Out : No filter before the RMS detector

Compressor Bypass (IN)

The 527A is equipped with a relay-based, hard-wired IN switch and hard bypass. A momentary press of the IN switch toggles the IN function. When the compressor is IN, the compressor processes audio and behaves normally. This is indicated by the IN switch being illuminated in yellow. When IN is disengaged (switch not illuminated), the control voltage signal is disengaged and the output signal is held at 0dB, but audio continues to pass through the 527A electronics without any gain reduction. Press-and-hold the IN switch to toggle the BYPass control. When the compressor is in BYPass, the hard-wired bypass is engaged and the IN switch illuminates in red. In this state, the audio INPUT signal is routed directly to the audio OUTPUT connectors and do not pass through the 527A electronics.

IN/BYP (Bypass): Press to engage the compressor or the hard-wired bypass

• IN: Press to engage the compressor in signal path (switch illuminates)
• Out: Press to remove the compressor in signal path (switch unlit)
• BYPass : Press and hold to engage the relay-based hard bypass (switch illuminates in red)

NOTE : When the 527A is powered off, it is held in the BYPass state. When the compressor is not in the BYPass state (red BYP LED not illuminated), the 527A behaves normally.

DC Control Voltage Link

The 527A compressor can be linked with other 527 and 527A compressors for stereo and multichannel applications. Other VPR Alliance compressors that utilize the backplane link can also be linked with the 527A compressors for stereo and multi-channel applications. When connected together and the LINK switches are engaged, the DC control voltages from all units are summed together. This results in the same control changes being applied to all compressors. While this is not a “Master/Slave” configuration, the Threshold, Attack/Release Times, and Ratio of all units should be set to the same value to prevent one channel from generating a disproportionate contribution to the summed control voltage

LINK : Set to engage DC control voltage summing with other units

• IN: Activates the DC control voltage summing on this unit

IMPORTANT NOTE: The LINK function of the 527A does NOT operate as other master/slave linked compressor pairs do, where the master unit’s controls become the master control for both units while the slave unit’s controls are disabled. Instead, when each of the 527As’ LINK switches are pressed, they will contribute their control signals to be SUMMED into the common link bus and each of their front panel controls will affect the compression of any other linked 527A’s audio signal. Units that have the LINK switch in the OUT position are unaffected. Setting the LINK switch to the “IN” position connects the 527A’s compression DC side chain circuitry to a DC summing bus on the 500 series module motherboard.  This allows for any number of 527A compressors to “LINK” their side chain signals into a common control bus for tasks such as maintaining stereo image or surround image during compression, or affecting one audio signal with another’s dynamic characteristics. Front panel controls that affect the DC side chain signal (and therefore the compression parameters of ALL linked units), include the THRESHold, ATTACK, RELEASE, HARD/SOFT, NEW/OLD, THRUST and RATIO controls. Adjusting ANY of these controls will affect the signal that will be sent out and summed with the LINK switch, and the dynamics that affect all linked 527A’s. The DC link bus exists in the Lunchbox and is tied from channel to channel with zero ohm jumpers that can be clipped out if desired, to limit the ability to link channels. The 500V rack and 1608, 1608-II, & 2448 consoles have solder pads that one can connect with insulated wire to create the DC Link bus.

Meters

The 527A compressor is equipped with a 10-segment LED meter that displays gain reduction and output level, as well as an overload LED (OV).

10-Segment LED Meter

The 10-segment LED meter display gain reduction (GR) in decibels or output level (dBu).

The 10-segment meter can display the following gain reduction values (GR):

• -1dB
• -2dB
• -3dB
• -6dB
• -9dB
• -12dB
• -15dB
• -18dB
• -21dB
• -24dB

The 10-segment meter can display the output level at the following values (dBu):

• +14dBu
• +10dBu
• +7dBu
• +4dBu
• +1dBu
• -2dBu
• -5dBu
• -8dBu
• -11dBu
• -14dBu

The meter function is selected by the METER switch.

METER: Set to select the gain reduction (GR) or output level (OUT) meter function.

• GR (Gain Reduction) : Selects the gain reduction meter function (GR)
• OUT (Output): Selects the output level meter function (dBu)

Overload LED

The 527A is equipped with a LED peak indicator (OV) that illuminates when the output level reaches or exceeds +21dBu.

APPENDIX

A1 527A Specifications

(-1 to -24 dB) or Output Level (14 to +14 dBu). Overload

LED: +21 dBu

Frequency Response:| +/- 0.5 dB 20 Hz to 40 kHz
Signal to Noise:| 110 dB
Power Requirements:| 3.5 Watts – VPR Alliance Compliant
Unit Size:| 1.5″ x 5.25″ x 7″
Shipping Size:| 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 10″
Unit Weight:| 1.8 lbs.
Shipping Weight:| 2.2 lbs.

A2 527A Recall Sheet

http://www.apiaudio.com

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