| Threshold is obvious, this is where the thing kicks in.
Level is the final output level, so you can A/B between the limited and
unlimited sound if you like.
Release is how quickly the limiter unclamps as the input signal drops
in volume (sort of a threshold in reverse, eh?).
Tone is probably just a treble control to adjust for the tonal changes
of the limiting (since it compresses the peaks it may make the sound
less trebly).
Brian
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| >
>I just picked up a Boss LM2 limiter, but it came with no
>instructions. Anyone know how to operate these things?
>
>It has the following controls:
>
>level, tone, release and threshold
>
>I'd assume that the last 2 are the critical ones.
>
Tom,
A limiter places a LIMIT on the maximum level of sound, and it's basic
function is to allow all levels/volume/amplitude/ call it what you will, below
the LIMIT setting to pass through uneffected. Reach the set level, and it will
hold the output constant at that level. Clear so far ?
Now to the controls and their use.
Level. Probably the input level. set it to approximate the bypassed level of
your guitar for a start. This control will interact with the threshold if it
is an input control. If it is an output level it will not interact but just
increase the volume.
tone. self explanatory, however, changing the tone will give the threshold
different parts of the spectrum to work upon and the effect will occur
differently ( ie. lots of top end boost will "work" the effect more on your
picking attack as well as higher notes and harmonics)
threshold. This is the effect itself. set a low threshold and the limiter
effect will come in and limit at low volumes. set it high and only transient
peaks will get limited.
Release. Now, the way the pedal works, is to have a variable gain amplifier
and a circuit which "looks" at the input and, dependant upon where the
threshold is set, automatically changes the gain of the amplifier to hold the
output constant. So, in the process of doing this, the gain will be going up
and down, and even with the quietest circuit this will produce a "breathing"
sound. As a way of minimising this, and ALSO as an effect in itself(ie. set
for a long release to get volume swell effects), a release control is usually
included in Limiters. In summary, this control sets the time taken for the
limiting effect to die away. This is best explained by a practical example.
Set the release to short with the threshold low. Hit a loud chord. Note that
the effect "grabs" the volume and pulls it down during the initial half second
transient but then as the chord level dies away immediatelly the effect
releases itself and the gain increases. Now set the release to long. Hit the
same chord. The effect will grab as before but keep the effect on for 2/3
seconds before letting the natural level return. Try it and see.
Thats about it!!
Good luck,
Dave
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