Altair CN-220 User manual

CN-220
COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE
OWNERS MANUAL
EQUIPOS EUROPEOS ELECTRÓNICOS, S.A.L
Avda. de la Industria, 50. 28760 TRES CANTOS-MADRID (SPAIN).
34-1-804 32 65 34-1-804 43 58 [email protected]
www.altairaudio.com

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................................................3
2. SWITCHES, CONTROLS, ADJUSTMENTS AND CONNECTORS..........................................................................................4
FRONT PANEL..........................................................................................................................................................................4
REAR PANEL ............................................................................................................................................................................5
3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS......................................................................................................................................................6
4. INSTALLATION .........................................................................................................................................................................6
UNPACKING............................................................................................................................................................................6
MOUNTING.............................................................................................................................................................................6
CHANGING THE VOLTAGE AND THE FUSE ........................................................................................................................6
CONNECTING TO THE MAINS..............................................................................................................................................7
INPUT CONNECTION .............................................................................................................................................................7
UNBALANCED INPUT.........................................................................................................................................................8
BALANCED INPUT...............................................................................................................................................................9
OUTPUT CONNECTION .........................................................................................................................................................9
UNBALANCED OUTPUT...................................................................................................................................................10
BALANCED INPUT..............................................................................................................................................................11
GROUND LINK.......................................................................................................................................................................11
5. OPERATION............................................................................................................................................................................ 12
NOISE GATE...........................................................................................................................................................................12
TEST MONITOR SWITCH (SIDE TEST).................................................................................................................................12
ACTIVITY LED’s (SHUT — OPEN).........................................................................................................................................13
HP AND LP KEY FILTER CONTROLS...................................................................................................................................13
THRESHOLD CONTROL.....................................................................................................................................................13
ATTACK TIME SWITCH......................................................................................................................................................13
RELEASE TIME CONTROL...................................................................................................................................................14
RANGE SWITCH................................................................................................................................................................14
BYPASS SWITCH................................................................................................................................................................14
COMPRESSOR.......................................................................................................................................................................14
BAND COMPRESSOR CONTROL AND SWITCH...............................................................................................................14
THRESHOLD CONTROL.....................................................................................................................................................14
COMPRESSION RATIO CONTROL.....................................................................................................................................15
GAIN REDUCTION VUMETER........................................................................................................................................... 15
BYPASS SWITCH................................................................................................................................................................15
COMMON..............................................................................................................................................................................15
OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL.................................................................................................................................................15
OUTPUT LEVEL VU-METER................................................................................................................................................15
STEREO SWITCH................................................................................................................................................................16
SIDE CHAIN CONNECTOR................................................................................................................................................16
6. OPTIONS.................................................................................................................................................................................16
SECURITY COVER (TP-1).......................................................................................................................................................16
KEY LOCKED SECURITY COVER (TS-1)................................................................................................................................16
7. BLOCK DIAGRAM AND HOW IT WORKS............................................................................................................................17
8. REPAIR GUIDE.........................................................................................................................................................................17
9. APPLICATION EXAMPLES.....................................................................................................................................................19
SUPPRESSING CROSSTALK IN MULTI-MIC APPLICATIONS...........................................................................................19
GATING DRUMS...................................................................................................................................................................19
REDUCING BACKGROUND NOISE.....................................................................................................................................19
REDUCING FEEDBACK IN MICROPHONES WITH HIGH COMPRESSION.....................................................................20
LEVEL VARIATIONS IN VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS.......................................................................................................20
RECORDINGS........................................................................................................................................................................20
SPEAKER PROTECTION........................................................................................................................................................20
PRODUCING THE TALKOVER EFFECT.................................................................................................................................21
INCREASING THE OUTPUT LEVEL OF A MIXING SIGNAL.................................................................................................21
SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL................................................................................................................................... 21
SELECTIVE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL CONTROL...............................................................................................................22
TIME CONTROL.....................................................................................................................................................................22
10. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................................................................23
11. WARRANTY............................................................................................................................................................................24

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
1. INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the ALTAIR compressor/noise gate CN-220. Our dilated
experience in the design and manufacture of effect processing equipment, had led to us to carry out
this compressor/noise gate of great performances.
There is a lot the characteristics that make of the ALTAIR CN-220, one of the most highlighted of
the audio professional market, here enumerated some:
The ALTAIR CN-220 incorporates in a compact unit, a Dual Compressor-Limiter with a full-featured
Noise Gate front end.
Dedicated filters are provided in the Gate section to Trigger the gate, only by the desired instrument,
avoiding false gating. Test monitoring of the filtered signal is available to set-up the gate effect. Front
panel Attack and Release time parameters are provided for optimal sound reconstruction or special
effects creations. Background stage noises are easily removed without signal degradation, enhancing
instrument control and mixing operation.
Special attention has been taken to provide the professionals with a general purpose device. Specs
such as +24 dBu (max) Input/Output level operation and extremely low output noise guarantee a
broad range of audio industry applications.
Additional features include a Band Compressor mode with adjustable frequency selection to
achieve a variety of effects as De-Essing, Vocal Stopping, Drum Levelling, etc by compressing only the
desired band without altering the whole audio spectrum. Electric Bass guitar sounds, for example,
become more natural as the harmonic contents are unaltered when “Slap Bass” playing.
Full specs, full features take the Altair CN-220 a step further in Audio Dynamic Processing.
Naturally, you want to use your compressor/noise gate, but before beginning is important that
you read this manual. This manual will help you to install and use your new compressor/noise gate. It
is very important that you read it carefully, mainly the paragraphs marked as NOTE, PRECAUTION and
DANGER, for your security.
Save the original packing, you can re-use it to transport the unit. NEVER SHIP THE ALTAIR
CN-220 WITHOUT IT'S ORIGINAL PACKING.

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
2. SWITCHES, CONTROLS, ADJUSTMENTS AND CONNECTORS
These are the switches, controls, adjustments and connectors that you could find in your ALTAIR compressor/noise gate. The description and
explanation of each one of them, you will find in the corresponding section.
FRONT PANEL
TEST MONITOR SWITCH. BAND COMPRESSOR CONTROL AND SWITCH. ACTIVITY LED’s. HP AND LP KEY FILTER CONTROLS. THRESHOLD CONTROL. BYPASS SWITCH. THRESHOLDCONTROL.
COMPRESSION RATIO CONTROL.
ATTACK TIME SWITCH. GAIN REDUCTION VU-METER. RELEASE TIME CONTROL. OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL. POWER SWITCH. RANGE SWITCH. OUTPUT LEVEL VU-METER. BYPASS SWITCH. STEREO/DUAL SWITCH.
NOISE G
A
TE SECTION
COMPRESSOR SECTIONCOMMON

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
REAR PANEL
MAINS CONNECTOR, FUSE HOLDER AND VOLTAGE SELECTOR. EARTH LINK SWITCH.
OUTPUT SIGNAL CONNECTORS, XLR-3-32 AND JACK ¼”. SIDE CHAIN CONNECTOR, JACK ¼”. INPUT SIGNAL CONNECTORS, XLR-3-31 AND JACK ¼”.

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
3. WORKING PRECAUTIONS
The manufacturer is not responsible of any damage occurred in the compressor/noise gate unit
outside the limits of the warranty or those produced by not keeping in mind the working precautions.
Mains voltage must be correct and the same as that setting on the rear of the unit voltage
switch. Damage caused by connection to improper AC voltage is not covered by any
warranty.
DANGER: Inside the unit there are high voltages, doesn't open it. The unit doesn't
contain elements that could be repaired by the user. Whenever the compressor/noise
gate unit is connected to the mains, contains elements with high voltages. In order to
disconnect the unit completely, you must disconnect it of the mains.
CAUTION: Protect the compressor/noise gate from the rain and moisture. Ensure that
no objects or liquids enter it. If liquid is spilled into the unit, disconnect it from the mains
and consult a qualified service technician.
Don't place the unit close to heat sources.
4. INSTALLATION
UNPACKING
Before leaving from factory, each compressor/noise gate was carefully inspected and tested.
Unpack and inspect the unit for any damage that may have occurred during shipment. If any
damage is found, doesn't connect the unit to the mains, notify the salesperson immediately,
because a qualified service technician must inspect the unit.
Save the original packing, you could use if you need to transport the unit. NEVER SHIP THE
COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE WITHOUT IT'S ORIGINAL PACKING.
MOUNTING
It is always advisable to mount the unit in rack, either for mobile or fixed installations, for
protection, safety, aesthetics, etc.
The ALTAIR CN-220 is designed for standard 19" rack mounting, and occupy 1u high rack
space.
CHANGING THE VOLTAGE AND THE FUSE
The compressor/noise gate unit is set to operate at 230V, 50-60Hz and at 115V, 50-60Hz.
Make sure that the unit is disconnected of the mains.
In the unit rear panel, is placed the mains connector, the mains selector and the fuse holder.
The box bellow this mains connector is called fuse holder + mains selector. Take out the fuse
holder + mains selector.
Upon extracting the fuse holder, the fuse will appear, take out it and change for the new one.
Insert the fuse holder into the mains connector again, without spin it (make sure that the
voltage to which it is going to connect the unit remains indicated in normal position, not inverted), if
you only wants to change the fuse. If what you want are change the mains voltage, rotate the
fuseholder until remains the mains voltage to which it is going to connect the unit in normal
position, not inverted.

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
Compressor/noise gate set up to 115 V.
Compressor/noise gate set up to 230 V.
Make sure that the fuse is the right one for the selected voltage:
FUSE (230V. 50-60 Hz) FUSE (115V. 50-60 Hz)
T0,5A. T1A.
NOTE: The fuseholder provide a place for spare fuse.
CAUTION: Always make sure upon changing the fuse, that this is the adequate for the selected
mains voltage (T1A for 115V and T0,5A for 230V).
CONNECTING TO THE MAINS
The connection of the compressor/noise gate power supply to the mains takes
place by a standard cord included in the box.
Make sure that the unit power switch is at 0 position (turned off).
Insert the female I.E.C. connector of the tripolar cable into the unit power supply
male connector, placed at the rear panel.
Insert the male connector of the tripolar cable into the mains plug.
Turn on the unit power switch. In that moment the ACTIVITY LED
indicator (red or green) of the noise gate section will light,
indicating that the unit is turned on.
CAUTION: Make sure that the mains voltage is the correct as well as their fuse is the adequate.
INPUT CONNECTION
The compressor/noise gate input signals is carried out through two XLR-3-31 female
connectors and two JACK ¼” wired internally in parallel mode, one per each channel. The input
connections are balanced, with a nominal impedance of 10 KΩ(5 KΩunbalanced). The next list
shows the input pins correspondence as A.E.S recommendation practice:

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
XLR-3-31 JACK ¼”
PIN 1 0 V TIP HOT (+)
PIN 2 HOT (+) RING COLD (-)
PIN 3 COLD (-) SLEEVE 0 V
The input connection depends on two factors, the first is the type of input signal balanced or
unbalanced, and the second the ground configuration of the sound source (floating or ground-
referenced). The next pictures shows some of the different possibilities of connection, relying on the
type of input signal, balanced or unbalanced and according to the ground configuration of the
equipment (floating or ground-referenced).
In the next diagrams, we use the following symbols:
Sound source with mains cord without ground connection.
Sound source with mains cord with ground connection.
Sound source with the EARTH-LINK OFF.
Sound source with the EARTH LINK ON.
UNBALANCED INPUT
This type of connection will be used when the sound source doesn't provide balanced
output. When possible, employ the connection type 1.
1) Using twin-lead shielded cable:
T
IP.
RING.
SLEEVE.

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
2) Using single conductor shielded cable:
BALANCED INPUT
OUTPUT CONNECTION

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DUAL/STEREO COMPRESSOR/NOISE GATE CN-220
The compressor/noise gate output signal is carried out through two XLR-3-32 male
connectors and two JACK ¼” wired internally in parallel mode, one per each channel. The outputs
are balanced, with a nominal impedance of 100 Ω. The next list shows the input pins
correspondence as A.E.S recommendation practice:
XLR-3-32 JACK ¼”
PIN 1 0 V TIP HOT (+)
PIN 2 HOT (+) RING COLD (-)
PIN 3 COLD (-) SLEEVE 0 V
The output connection depends on two factors, the first is the type of input signal balanced or
unbalanced, and the second the ground configuration of the sound destination unit (floating or
ground-referenced). The next pictures shows some of the different possibilities of connection,
relying on the type of output signal, balanced or unbalanced and according to the ground
configuration of the equipment (floating or ground-referenced).
In the next diagrams, we use the following symbols:
Sound destination unit with mains cord without ground connection.
Sound destination unit with mains cord with ground connection.
Sound destination unit with the EARTH-LINK OFF.
Sound destination unit with the EARTH LINK ON.
UNBALANCED OUTPUT
This type of connection will be used when the sound destination unit doesn't provide a
balanced input. When possible, employ the connection type 1.
1) Using twin-lead shielded cable:
T
IP.
RING.
SLEEVE.