Behringer COMPOSER PRO MDX2200 User manual

COMPOSER®PRO MDX2200
www.behringer.com
ENGLISH
User’s Manual
Version 1.3 June 2001

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COMPOSERPROMDX2200
This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
you to important operating and mainte-
nance instructions in the accompanying
literature.Read the manual.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove
thecover (or back).No user serviceableparts inside;
referservicingto qualified personnel.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this appliance to rain or moisture.
DETAILEDSAFETYINSTRUCTIONS:
Allthe safetyand operationinstructions should be read beforethe applianceis operated.
RetainInstructions:
Thesafety and operatinginstructions should beretainedfor futurereference.
Heed Warnings:
Allwarnings on the appliance andin theoperating instructionsshould beadhered to.
Followinstructions:
Alloperation anduser instructions shouldbe followed.
Water and Moisture:
Theapplianceshould not beusednearwater(e.g. nearabathtub,washbowl,kitchen sink, laundrytub,ina wet
basement, or near a swimming pool etc.).
Ventilation:
The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation.
For example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the
ventilation openings, or placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the
flowof air throughtheventilation openings.
Heat:
The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
appliances(including amplifiers) thatproduce heat.
Power Source:
Theappliance shouldbe connectedto a powersupply onlyof thetype described inthe operatinginstructions
or as marked on the appliance.
Grounding or Polarization:
Precautionsshould be taken so that the groundingor polarizationmeans ofan applianceis notdefeated.
Power-Cord Protection:
Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed
upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords and plugs, convenience receptacles and the point
wherethey exitfrom theappliance.
Cleaning:
Theappliance shouldbecleaned onlyasrecommended bythe manufacturer.
Non-usePeriods:
Thepowercordof the applianceshouldbeunpluggedfrom the outletwhenleftunusedfor a longperiodoftime.
Debris and Liquid Entry:
Careshould betaken thatdebris and/or liquidsdo notenter theenclosure throughopenings.
Damage Requiring Service:
Theapplianceshould beservicedbyqualified servicepersonnelwhen:
-The powersupply cordor the plughas beendamaged; or
-Debris orliquid hasentered theappliance; or
-The appliancehas beenexposed torain; or
-The appliancedoes not appearto operatenormally orexhibits a markedchange inperformance; or
-The appliance hasbeen dropped, orthe enclosure damaged.
Servicing:
Theuser should not attempt toservice theappliance beyondthat whichis described in the operating instruc-
tions.Allother servicing shouldbe referred toqualified servicepersonnel.
This symbol, wherever it appears,
alerts you to the presence of
uninsulateddangerousvoltageinside
the enclosure—voltage that may be
sufficientto constitute ariskof shock.

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COMPOSERPROMDX2200
FOREWORD
DearCustomer,
Welcometo theteamof COMPOSERPRO usersandthank youvery much forexpressing yourconfidencein
BEHRINGERproducts bypurchasing thisunit.
It is one of my most pleasant tasks to write this letter to you, because it is the culmination of many months of
hard work delivered by our engineering team to reach a very ambitious goal: making an outstanding device
better still. The COMPOSER has for quite a long time been a standard tool used by numerous studios and
PA rental companies. The task to improve one of our best-selling products certainly meant a great deal of
responsibility,which weassumed byfocusing on you,the discerninguser andmusician. It alsomeant alot of
work and night shifts to accomplish this goal. But it was fun, too. Developing a product usually brings a lot of
peopletogether, and whatagreat feelingitis wheneverybodywho participated insuch a projectcanbe proud
ofwhatwe’veachieved.
Itisour philosophytoshareour joywithyou, because youarethe most importantmemberof the BEHRINGER
family. With your highly competent suggestions for new products you’ve greatly contributed to shaping our
companyand making itsuccessful.In return,weguarantee you uncompromisingquality(manufactured under
ISO9000 certified management system) as well as excellent technical and audio properties at an extremely
favorable price. All of this will enable you to fully unfold your creativity without being hampered by budget
constraints.
Weare oftenasked how wecan makeit toproduce such high-gradedevices atsuch unbelievablylowprices.
The answer is quite simple: it’s you, our customers! Many satisfied customers means large sales volumes
enablingus to get better conditionsof purchasefor components,etc. Isn’tit only fair to pass this benefitback
to you? Because we know that your success is our success, too!
Iwould like tothankall peoplewhosehelp on“ProjectCOMPOSER PRO”hasmade it allpossible. Everybody
hasmadevery personalcontributions,startingfrom thedesignersofthe unitviathemany staffmembersinmy
company to you, the user of BEHRINGER products.
Myfriends, it’s been worth the trouble!
Thankyou very much,
UliBehringer

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COMPOSERPROMDX2200
MDX2200MDX2200 MDX2200MDX2200
MDX2200
COMPOSER®PRO
Interactive 2-channel expander/gate/compressor/limiter of the reference class
VIKA(Interactive KneeAdaptation) compressor conceptcombines theadvantages of “hardknee” and“soft
knee”characteristics
VAttack and release times controllable automatically or manually
VSwitchablehigh-passfilter incontrolsignalpath avoids low-frequencysignalsfrom dominating compressor
action
VCompressioncharacteristics switchablebetween IKA and“hard knee”characteristics
VIRCcircuit inexpander/gateallows for“inaudible” elimination ofdisturbing noisesignals
VIGC(Interactive GainControl) peak limitercombines clipperwithprogram limitercircuits
VExtremelylow-noise operational amplifiersandhigh-grade VCA’s
VHigh-qualitydetent potentiometersand backlitswitches
VStereocouple functionselectable withreal totalingof RMSoutput
VAccurate12-digit LEDmetersfor inputlevel, output leveland gainreduction
VTraffic-lightfunction for easythreshold setting
VSwitchable side chain input with side chain monitor function
VOperatinglevel switchablefrom +4dBu to -10dBV
VServo-balancedinputs and outputsfeaturing6.3 mmTRSandXLR connectors
VHigh-gradeoutputtransformerBEHRINGER OT-1canberetrofitted
VRelay-controlledhard-bypass switch withauto-bypass function (failsaferelay)
VManufacturedunderISO9000 certifiedmanagementsystem

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COMPOSERPROMDX2200
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................7
1.1 Beforeyoubegin ............................................................................................................................. 8
1.2 Design concept ............................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Highquality componentsanddesign..................................................................................... 8
1.2.2 Failsaferelays ...................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.3 Balancedinputs andoutputs................................................................................................. 8
1.2.4 Transformerbalancedoutputs(optional)................................................................................ 9
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS .........................................................................................................9
2.1 Expander/gate section .................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Compressor section ...................................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Peak limiter section .......................................................................................................................11
2.4 Rear panelcontrol elementsofthe COMPOSERPRO .................................................................. 12
3. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND ..............................................................................................12
3.1 Noiseas a physicalphenomenon.................................................................................................. 12
3.2 Whatare audiodynamics? ........................................................................................................... 13
3.3 Compressors/limiters .................................................................................................................... 14
3.4 Expanders/noise-gates ................................................................................................................. 14
4. APPLICATIONS .....................................................................................................................15
4.1 Compression/levelling/limiting/clipping........................................................................................... 15
4.2 Expander/gate section .................................................................................................................. 16
4.2.1 Controllingleakage inthe studio ......................................................................................... 17
4.2.2 Initialsettings forthe expander/gatesection ....................................................................... 17
4.2.3 Reducing leakage in stage mics ......................................................................................... 18
4.2.4 Reducing feedback in stage mics ....................................................................................... 18
4.2.5 Noisereduction oneffects paths ......................................................................................... 18
4.2.6 Creativeuse of theexpander/gatesection ........................................................................... 18
4.3 Compressor section ...................................................................................................................... 18
4.3.1 Initial settings for the compressor section ........................................................................... 19
4.3.2 TheCOMPOSER PRO as a soundeffects unit ................................................................... 20
4.3.3 The “muffling”effectofa compressor ................................................................................... 20
4.4 Peak limiter section ...................................................................................................................... 20
4.4.1 Initial settings for the peak limiter section ........................................................................... 21
5. SPECIALAPPLICATIONS.....................................................................................................21
5.1 Using the COMPOSERPRO forrecording andcassetteduplication ............................................. 21
5.1.1 TheCOMPOSER PROindigital recordingandsampling .................................................... 22
5.1.2 TheCOMPOSER PRO inmastering ................................................................................... 22
5.2 TheCOMPOSER PRO asaprotective device ............................................................................... 22
5.2.1 Protection of a system with a passive crossover ................................................................. 23
5.2.2 Protection of a system with an active crossover .................................................................. 23
5.2.3 Improvingthe soundof a processorsystem ........................................................................ 23
5.3 The COMPOSERPROin broadcast ............................................................................................. 23