Front Panel Controls

 Compressor

Threshold/Ratio/Attack/Release
These controls effect the dynamics of the compressor by controlling how much the signal is compressed and how long it takes to reach full compression and return to normal.

Auto
The release time can be automatically varied depending on the nature of the incoming signal. Short term overloads will release quickly and long term overloads more slowly.

Hard Knee
The “Hard Knee” switch selects a less gradual shape to the compression curve.

Limiter

Level
Sets the maximum signal level to pass through the limiter.

Release
Changes the time taken for gain reduction to return to zero after limiting.

Fast Attack
Selecting "fast attack" allows even short term transients to cause gain reduction.

Output Gain
The drop in output level caused by compression/limiting can be compensated for using the output gain control.

 Compressor/Limiter

Side Chain In
Selecting "Side Chain In" allows equalisers or delays to be inserted into the side chain which feeds the compressor. This means gain reduction can be frequency dependent.

Ambience
The ambience switch is a unique feature of the RNCL, which allows background (ambient) noise to be reduced and various other useful effects.

Gain Reduction
When selected to "G/R" the meter indicates '0' in the absence of an input signal or any gain reduction. If the signal exceeds the compression threshold or limit level, the amount of gain reduction is displayed.
In ambience mode, the meter continues to show the amount of compression or limiting, but due to the nature of the ambience mode, no longer reads the reduction in the output signal level.