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COMPOSER PRO MDX2200
4.2.3 Reducing leakage in stage mics
The COMPOSER PRO has many uses in live-work, on stage and in multi-miking situations: a well set up
expander/gate can effectively suppress background noise, compressor type pumping noise and microphone
leakage etc. without producing any undesirable side effects. Expander/gates are commonly used for process-
ing vocals. When specifically used with a compressor, the distance and position of the mic in relation to the
singer is very critical: the further the distance, the more sensitive the mic is to background noise. Use the
expander/gate section in the slow release mode to inaudibly eliminate background noise, that occurs in
pauses between singing. When used in live situations, leakage of miked instrumentation is substantially
reduced, as well as other acoustic contaminants in various recording situations.
4.2.4 Reducing feedback in stage mics
When a singer is using a vocal mic, their voice effectively stops other sounds from entering the mic. But in
pauses between the singing, the mic will pick up noise from the house PA and monitors, which can lead to
unpleasant feedback problems. If the COMPOSER PRO is inserted into the mic channel, it will shut off the
channel when it is not being used, reducing the possibility of feedback. Principally all mics should be included
in this application.
4.2.5 Noise reduction on effects paths
The effects rack is one of the main overlooked sources of noise in a PA system or recording facility. The price
of reverb and delay units and harmonizers has fallen drastically over the last number of years, which have made
these units a common feature in small studios and home recording installations. However, multiple effects
units considerably increase the overall noise level, so that the pleasure in acquiring a new sound effect is short
lived.
It will prove useful to use the BEHRINGER COMPOSER PRO as the last component in the chain of effects
units and use the noise reduction function of the expander/gate section. We recommend that you use a slow
release time in order to maintain the natural reverb.
4.2.6 Creative use of the expander/gate section
In addition to the previously explained applications, the expander/gate can be used to change the sound
characteristics. For example, the quality of ambience or reverberation created by an instrument within a room
can be modified: when an instrument stops decaying, the reverberation of the instrument falls below the user-
defined threshold. The reverberation can be controlled by using the THRESHOLD control and the RELEASE
switch. The decay characteristics of the instrument can be controlled using the release switch, so that the
natural characteristics of the instrument remains. Experiment with the effect, this control has on the decay of
the instrument. In SLOW mode, the signal is gently faded out - in FAST mode, the duration of the reverberation
can be removed completely.
4.3 Compressor section
The task of a compressor is to reduce the dynamic range of program material and to control the overall level.
The extensive controls of the compressor section, provide a great range of dynamic effects: from musical and
soft compression to limiting signal peaks, right up to extreme and effective compression of the overall dynam-
ics. For example, a low ratio and very low threshold setting can be used to achieve soft and musical processing
of the general dynamics of the program material.
Higher ratios, together with low threshold settings, create relatively constant volume (levelling) for instruments
and vocals. High threshold levels generally limit the overall level of a program. Ratios greater than 6:1 effectively
prevent the output level from significantly exceeding the threshold point (provided that the OUTPUT control is in
the 0 dB position).
Please note that the compression of the entire program material (achieved by low threshold settings) sounds
less natural with higher ratio settings. Ratio settings in the range of 4:1 and lower, effect the dynamics of the
program material less and are often used to compress the sound of a bass guitar, a snare drum or a vocal.
Sensitive and moderate settings are generally used in mixing and for levelling of program material in broadcast.
5. APPLICATIONS