Operation Manual; 5.3.8 Ambient Leveler; Output Path- Page 66

Operation Manual

DBC Network Bridge

page 66

5.3.8 Ambient Leveler

Starting in the 

Output Path

 window, you can access the 

Ambient 

Leveler 

window (Figure 5.30) by clicking on its icon (shown above).

The Ambient Leveler expands the output channel gain to compensate for a 
sensed ambient level. The ambient level can be sensed from any of the six-
teen Input Processing Sections, or the computed ambient level from one of 
the 32 auto-mix groups. This feature allows the DBC Network Bridge to 
maintain optimum signal to noise and intelligibility in environments with 
varying background noise.

The software graphically displays the gain function, with line meters under-
neath the graph displaying the Input Ambient Sense level (green) and the 
Output Signal Level (blue).

Seven parameters control this feature:

1. On/Off

Turns this feature on or off.

2. Sense Input

Determines the source for the ambient level that will do the adjustment.

3. Sense Threshold

Sets a level for the ambient sensor input threshold. The Ambient-Leveler 
expansion will be inhibited for input levels below this threshold. This 
action allows the Ambient-Leveler to suspend gain changes when the 
ambient level is low and, along with Max Added Gain, prevent excessive 
system gain. Control range is from –80 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

5 Advanced Operation

4. Expansion Ratio

Determines how much the gain of the output channel will increase for every 
increase in the ambient signal level above the Threshold setting. A 4:1 
Expansion Ratio setting will raise the output gain 4 dB for every 1 dB that 
the ambient signal increases. Control range is from 0.1:1 to 5:1.

5. Max Added Gain

Sets the maximum increase in gain through the Ambient Leveler. Control 
range is from 0 dB to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

6. Attack Time

Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to expand its gain by
20dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.

7. Release Time

Sets the time required for the Ambient Leveler to compress its gain by
20 dB. Control range is from 0.1 to 60 seconds in 0.1 second steps.

8. Program Level Dependent Mode

Allows the Ambient-Leveler expansion to be inhibited when the actual out-
put Program level is above a prescribed level. This mode prevents program 
material 'feed-through' from artificially increasing the apparent ambient 
level.

9. Program Level Threshold

Sets the output program level threshold above which Ambient Leveling will 
be inhibited when in Program Level Dependent mode. Control range is 
from –80 to +20 dB in 0.5 dB steps.

10. Sense Delay

Sets the delay after the output program level falls below the Program Level 
Threshold before the Ambient Leveling begins. Control range is 0 to 60 
seconds in 0.1 second increments.

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Figure 5.30  Ambient Leveler Window