Sony SRP-L210 User manual

1
COMPRESSOR/EXPANDER
SRP-L210
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual and the
supplied “WARNING” thoroughly and retain it for future
reference.
Table of contents
WARNING .................................................................................. 2
Features ........................................................................................ 2
Dimensions .................................................................................. 3
Block diagram ............................................................................. 3
Location and function of parts .................................................. 4
Applications ................................................................................ 6
Specifications ............................................................................... 7
Precautions
On safety (Refer to the supplied “WARNING”.)
•Should any liquid or solid object fall into the cabinet,
unplug the unit and have it checked by qualified personnel
before operating it any further.
•Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if it is not to be used
for an extended period of time. To disconnect the cord, pull
it out by grasping the plug. Never pull the cord itself.
On installation
Do not install the unit in a location near heat sources such as
radiators or air ducts, or in a place subject to direct sunlight,
excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.
On operation
•Before making program source connections, be sure to turn
the power switch off and unplug the unit.
•When the unit is not used, turn the power off to conserve
energy and to extend the useful life of your unit.
On cleaning the cabinet
Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with a soft cloth
lightly moistened with mild detergent solution. Do not use
any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such
as alcohol or benzine.
On repacking
Do not throw away the carton and the packing material. It
makes an ideal container to transport the unit in.
When shipping the unit for repair work or to another
location, repack it as it was.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your
unit, please contact your nearest Sony dealer.
2-346-164-11(1)
© 1999 by Sony Sound Tec Corporation

2
Notice for the Customers in the United Kingdom
IMPORTANT
The wires in this mains lead are coloured in accordance
with the following code:
Blue : Neutral
Brown : Live
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this
apparatus may not correspond with the coloured markings
identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:
The wire which is coloured blue must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter N or coloured
black. The wire which is coloured brown must be
connected to the terminal which is marked with the letter
L or coloured red. Do not connect either wire to the earth
terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E or by
the safety earth symbol Yor coloured green or green-
and-yellow.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.
To avoid electrical shock, do not open
the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.
*The location of the marking is at the top of enclosure.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of uninsulated “dangerous
voltage” within the product's enclosure that
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute
a risk of electric shock to persons.
The SRP-L210 is a dual channel compressor/expander.
A highly reliable system comparable to
professional equipment:
SONY has been producing sound systems for business and
professional use in schools, companies, and recording
studios for a long time. Against this background, the SRP-
L210 has been developed to ensure very reliable
performance at a low cost.
Multiple effects from one system:
Multiple functions that are often used in a dynamics
processor are compressed into one unit. As well as the
compressor, limiter, enhancer and gate functions, the
compressor / limiter part can be switched to work as an
expander for full parameters.
Ducking from 1CH to 2CH, or from 2CH to 1CH, can
easily be set up on the panel using the independently
controlled stereo link function.
Dual channel I/O with XLR-Type and phone
jack connectors are provided.
Creating high quality sound is possible:
When sound undergoes hard compression in the general
compressor, it loses its tautness in the higher frequency
range and often becomes unclear. This kind of dead
sound can be revived by controlling the HARMONICS
knob in the SRP-L210, and it is especially effective for
guitar cutting and arpeggio.
Using the soft knee characteristics:
Natural and smooth compression can be achieved by
using the soft knee characteristics even when a high ratio
is set.
Peak limiter supporting digital recording:
A floating threshold type peak limiter, which is linked to
the compression, is used.
Peak protection can be used easily and effectively on
digital recorders that do not permit overflow.
Mountable on 19-inch standard rack.
Features

3
Dimensions
Block diagram
482
44
175 184
OFF ON
CHANNEL 2
INPUT OUTPUT KEY
IN OUT PEAK
LIMITER
OFF ON
CHANNEL 1
INPUT OUTPUT KEY
IN OUT PEAK
LIMITER
POWER
ON OFF
GAIN REDUCTION
CHANNEL 2 30 20 10 5 3 2 1 EXPANDER
THRESHOLD RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT HARMONICS GATE
EFFECT
THRESHOLD
ON OFF
COMPRESSOR/EXPANDER SRP-L210
-35 -30
-20
-10
-40
-60
-dBu
912
15
MAX
6
3
OFF
0+6
+14
+20
-6
-14
-20 dB
EXP COMP
0.5 1
2
4
0.3
0.1
50m sec
50 100
150
200
10
1
0.1 m-sec
2.5 5
8
2
1.5
1n:1
-10 0
+10
+20
-20
-30
-40 dBu
GAIN REDUCTION
CHANNEL 1 30 20 10 5 3 2 1 EXPANDER
THRESHOLD RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT HARMONICS GATE
EFFECT
THRESHOLD
ON OFF
-35 -30
-20
-10
-40
-60
-dBu
912
15
MAX
6
3
OFF
0+6
+14
+20
-6
-14
-20 dB
EXP COMP
0.5 1
2
4
0.3
0.1
50m sec
50 100
150
200
10
1
0.1 m-sec
2.5 5
8
2
1.5
1n:1
-10 0
+10
+20
-20
-30
-40 dBu
ON OFF
STEREO
LINK
Unit: mm
INPUT
12
3
KEY OUT
KEY IN
VCA
HARMONICS
CIRCUIT
EFFECT
RMS CIRCUIT
GATE
CIRCUIT
LIMITER
PEAK
COMPRESSOR/EXPANDER
ENVELOP CIRCUIT
STEREO LINK
GAIN REDUCTION METER
STEREO LINK
GATE LED
THRESHOLD
RATIO
ATTACK
RELEASE
3
21
OUTPUT
EXPANDER
COMP/EXP

4
Location and function of parts
Front Panel
1POWER switch and pilot lamp:
When the power switch is turned on, the pilot lamp is
lit (green) and the system is operational.
2THRESHOLD knob:
Set a level to start the dynamic range compression of
the input signal. This can be varied between –40dBu
and +20dBu.
3RATIO knob:
This sets the compression ratio of the output signal if
the input signal exceeds the threshold level. For
example, when this is set at a 2:1 ratio, the output
signal only increases by 1dB against a 2dB increase in
the input signal above the threshold level. When this
is set at ∞:1, the output signal does not increase
beyond the threshold level even though the input
signal exceeds the threshold. This can be varied from
1:1 to ∞:1.
4ATTACK knob:
This sets the time delay from when the input signal
exceeds the threshold level to the start of
compression. This can be varied from 0.1m sec to
200m sec.
5RELEASE knob:
This sets the time delay from when the input signal
falls below the threshold level to the release of the
compression operation. This can be varied between
50m sec and 4sec.
6OUTPUT knob:
This corrects the reduction of the output level by
compression or the increase by expansion within the
range –20dB and +20dB.
7COMPRESSOR / EXPANDER switch:
This switch alters the function of this system between
compressor and expander. When it is turned off,
knobs 2 to 6 have a compression function, but when it
is turned on, as indicated by a lit LED, they revert to
an expansion function.
Expander function:
This system has an expander function that is activated
by turning the compressor / expander switch on.
Expander function of this system is “upward
expander”. This function increases the output signal in
line with the ratio if the input signal exceeds the
threshold level. The unique sound that only
accentuates the attack can be obtained by using the
gate function in conjunction with this function.
8HARMONICS knob:
The high frequencies that are lost during compression
is restored by attaching the harmonics content to the
signal in line with the setting level of the knob. This
function controls the level of harmonics that are
attached in line with the gain reduction level; thus,
when there is no gain reduction, no harmonics are
raised, but when the gain reduction setting is high, so
the harmonics are increased. Turn the knob fully anti-
clockwise to switch the harmonics function off.
9GATE THRESHOLD knob:
This sets the level at which the gate function operates.
An LED is lit when the gate is operational. Turn the
knob fully anti-clockwise to switch the gate function
off. It can be set from –∞to –10dBu.
!EFFECT switch:
When this is turned off, the input signal is output
directly without passing through the effect circuitry.
When turned on, its LED is lit and all functions are
activated.
POWER
ON OFF
GAIN REDUCTION
CHANNEL 2
30 20 10 5 3 2
THRESHOLD RATIO ATTACK R
E
0.3
0.1
50m
50 100
150
200
10
1
0.1 m-sec
2.5 5
8
2
1.5
1n:1
-10 0
+10
+20
-20
-30
-40 dBu
GAIN REDUCTION
CHANNEL 1
30 20 10 5 3 2 1 EXPANDER
THRESHOLD RATIO ATTACK RELEASE OUTPUT HARMONICS GATE
EFFECT
THRESHOLD
ON OFF
-35 -30
-20
-10
-40
-60
-dBu
912
15
MAX
6
3
OFF
0+6
+14
+20
-6
-14
-20 dB
EXP COMP
0.5 1
2
4
0.3
0.1
50m sec
50 100
150
200
10
1
0.1 m-sec
2.5 5
8
2
1.5
1n:1
-10 0
+10
+20
-20
-30
-40 dBu
ON OFF
STEREO
LINK
1345689
710 12
2
11

5
1INPUT connector and jack:
XLR-3-31 type connector (balanced)
Phone jack (balanced, reference level +4dBu)
Tip : HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND
2OUTPUT connector and jack:
When the connection is unbalanced, 6dB level is
automatically corrected, as this is a floating balance
circuit. The Ring: COLD must be connected to the
GND when the connection is unbalanced.
XLR-3-32 type connector (balanced)
Phone jack (balanced, reference level +4dBu)
Tip : HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND
#STEREO LINK switch:
A channel with a high gain reduction volume is
always set when this function is used, and both
channels operate evenly. Fluctuations of the sound
due to the difference in the gain reduction volume of
the left and right channels that occurs when a stereo
signal is input, can be prevented by this. In this case,
both channels need to be set at almost the same level.
When the ratio of one channel is set as 1:1, both
channels can mimic the gain reduction volume of the
other channel. In this way, a ducking effect can be
achieved without using an external key input.
The OUTPUT, COMPRESSOR/EXPANDER switch,
HARMONICS, EFFECT ON/OFF switch and PEAK
LIMITER are not linked to each other, and each
channel must be individually set.
"GAIN REDUCTION meter:
This is the meter to display how much the signal
reduces during compression. It is displayed as 1, 2, 3,
5, 10, 20, and 30dB.
Rear Panel
3KEY IN jack:
This is to input the external key signal. When the
phone jack is connected, it cuts the signal to be sent to
the side chain from the input terminal and the system
is controlled by the audio signal that is input through
this terminal. Phone jack (unbalanced, reference level
–3dBu)
4KEY OUT jack:
This outputs the internal key signal to be sent to the
side chain. De-Esser and other effects can be achieved
by equalizing this signal and inputting it to the Key In
terminal. Phone jack, (unbalanced, reference level –
3dBu)
5PEAK LIMITER switch:
This switches the peak limiter function on and off.
This system’s peak limiter always limits the peak
signals that go through compression, at the +10dB
level of the compressor threshold. This is very effec-
tive when connected to digital equipment.
OFF ON
2
KEY
IN OUT PEAK
LIMITER
OFF ON
CHANNEL 1
INPUT OUTPUT KEY
IN OUT PEAK
LIMITER
134 5
2
1: GND
2: HOT
3: COLD
1
3
2
1: GND
2: HOT
3: COLD
12
3

6
Applications
Controls the narration and vocal level.
The reason for picking up all information without adjusting the
level, regardless of whether the announcer or DJ is shouting or
whispering while broadcasting, is because the dynamic range of
the sound is reduced by compression.
This prevents fluctuation in the level and difficulties in hearing
caused by changes in the distance of the microphone from the
narrator. The level can be balanced by controlling the threshold
against the input level by setting the ratio at 4:1 when the level
fluctuations are relatively small, or at 10:1 if the fluctuations are
greater, such as on-stage vocals. Background noise between
voices and on-stage acoustic feedback can be effectively
reduced by also using the gate function in this case.
Speaker Protection:
Damage caused to speakers by sudden overloading can be
protected by the system as shown in the figure. The limiting
function is not normally activated, and compression functions
only for excessive input by setting the ratio between 4:1 and
10:1 and the threshold at about +6dB to +10dB. When channels
one and two are used in stereo, the stereo link function must be
used to prevent fluctuation of the sound.
SRP-L210
CHANNEL INSERT IN or
GROUP INSERT IN
Mixing console
OUTPUT
INPUT
Graphic equalizer SRP-L210 Power amplifier
CHANNEL INSERT OUT or
GROUP INSERT OUT
Ducking Effect (for Paging Application, etc):
When any sound is picked up from an announcer or Master of
Ceremonies, the signal level from the CD player or MD player
can be reduced automatically by connecting the ‘Insert Out’ of
the channel to which the microphone has been input, as per the
system in the figure, to the ‘Key In’ of the SRP-L210, and by
controlling the compressor externally (Ducking effect).
In this case, the stereo link switch should be turned on, and the
release knob should be set to around 4 secs.
MIC
Mixing console
SRP-L210INPUT
CD player or MD player
CHANNEL IN
INSERT OUT
OUTPUT
Key IN

7
INPUT
XLR-3-31 Type
Phone jack (Tip Hot, Ring Cold)
Balanced circuit.
Reference input level: +4dBu
Maximum input level: +24dBu
Input impedance: 80kΩ
KEY IN
Phone jack
Unbalanced circuit.
Reference input level: –3dBu
Maximum input level: +17dBu
Input impedance 10kΩ
OUTPUT
XLR-3-32 Type
Phone jack (Tip Hot, Ring Cold)
Balanced circuit.
Reference output level: +4dBu
Maximum output level: +24dBu
Output impedance: 240Ω
Load impedance: more than 10kΩ
KEY OUT
Phone jack
Unbalanced circuit.
Reference output level: –3dBu
Maximum output level: +17dBu
Output impedance: 120Ω
Frequency response: 20 – 20kHz +0.5/–1dB
Total harmonic distortion: less than 0.05% (Reference input
level, 1 kHz)
S/N ratio:(+4dB in/out) More than 98dB (Effect off)
More than 94dB (Effect on)
Cross talk: less than –100dB
Threshold: –40dBu – +20dBu
Ratio: 1:1 – ∞:1
Attack time: 0.1 – 200msec
Release time: 50msec – 4sec
Output time: –20dB – +20dB
Gate threshold level: –∞– 10dBu
Gain Reduction Meter: 1/2/3/5/10/20/30dB
Power Consumption 9W
Operating temperature: 0˚C–40˚C
Storage temperature: –20˚C–+60˚C
Mass: 2.8kg
Dimensions: (W/H/D)
482 ×44 ×175mm
Supplied accessories: Operating instructions (1)
Warning(1)
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
(0dBu = 0.775V)
Specifications

8Printed in Japan