12
For multitrack studio applications, consider gating out the hiss during the initial
recording, then adding HF DETAIL enhancement afterwards, during mixdown.
With certain combinations of controls, especially when they are used at more extreme
settings (towards fully clockwise), distortion or artifacts may occur. In this case,
lessen one of more of the controls in use. For example, higher DRIVE settings on
the compressor often add gain to low-level signal, especially when used in conjunc-
tion with other controls. To reduce distortion, simply reduce the compression setting.
If you still want more compression, return the compression to its previous setting,
and reduce one or more of the other controls which commonly increase gain (e.g.,
Enhancer DETAIL controls, MIC GAIN, etc.).
Setting the DENSITY control higher than the 12:00 position can sometimes cause
audible distortion in the bass because the very fast release time begins to modulate
each individual cycle of the bass waveform. If this occurs, turn down the DENSITY
control. (Patented circuitry in the 286A greatly reduces this effect when compared to
many other compressors operated at equally fast release times).
Higher Expander/Gate settings can cut off sounds prematurely, specifically after a
sudden transient or loud note has decayed. This could result in unintelligible vocals,
incomplete chords, inferior cymbal splashes, lost reverb tails, etc. To retain the com-
plete input signal, but still maintain required expansion and gating (e.g., to reduce
settings until the complete signal is adequately restored. This means that you should
set the Expander/Gate controls so that the red (-) THRESHOLD LED (located to the
right of the EXPANSION RATIO control) does not light until the required signal is
finished.
With higher settings of the De-Esser THRESHOLD or Expander/Gate THRESHOLD
controls, a vocal performance can be marred by resultant lisps (i.e., where s and z
sounds are heard as th sounds). Lisps can usually be corrected by reducing the De-
Esser THRESHOLD, or the Expander/Gate THRESHOLD, or both.
If high frequency energy in the audio is producing shrillness or excessive brightness,
try reducing the HF DETAIL or increasing the De-Esser THRESHOLD (if the audio
is a single track), as appropriate.
Although the HIGHPASS button works effectively to reduce hum, rumble, wind
noise, etc., at the input, LF DETAIL can restore low frequency power to objection-
able levels if used too liberally. This is especially true if the rear panel INSERT is
used; this places a unit (e.g., an equalizer) directly between the Mic Preamp Section
and Processing Section of the 286A - hum or other undesirable low frequencies
“inserted” by the device cannot be corrected by the HIGHPASS button. In most
cases, make sure the LF DETAIL is used conservatively.
Increase MIC GAIN or Compressor DRIVE.
Audible Distortion, Etc.
Sound Cutting Off
Lispy Vocals
Shrillness or Excessive Brightness
Low Rumble or Excessive Low
Frequencies
No Gain Reduction Metering Shown
When Compression is In (i.e.,
Compression DRIVE control is active).
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