Aphex 320D Compellor Automatic Compressor Leveler-Limiter

Transparent Audio Level Control for Broadcast, Recording and Live Sound

 

The patented technologies within the 320D are totally unique. By going beyond conventional design ideas, the 320D provides audio processing with unprecedented sound transparency, yet is exceedingly effective at controlling levels. No other product can match the performance of the 320D. Algorithms like our "DVG", "DRC", and "FDL" have yet to find any rivals.

 

The 320D's Frequency Discriminate Leveler section, with the Dynamic Verification Gate and the Silence Gate, slowly adjusts the volume level of an audio stream with very complex algorithms that hide its work. It works differently at different frequencies and stops processing when the sound stops then resumes instantly when the sound reappears so there is no distracting increases in program background noise. When you listen, you know the levels are made more even, but you don't perceive the levels are shifting.

 

The 320D’s Variable Slope Compressor, Dynamic Recovery Computer and Dynamic Verification Gate add adaptable compression to match the texture of changing audio sources. You don't hear pumping or other audio artifacts, just natural sound that is evenly consistent in loudness.

 

The 320D’s limiter acts on peaks that shoot beyond average program levels so they are easy to handle by any analog or digital recording system.

 

The 320D can act as two independent mono processors or one linked stereo processor by front panel selection. This is true with both analog and digital I/O.

 

When the analog input is used, the digital output contains the 320D’s processing. When the digital input is used, the analog output contains the 320D’s processing, properly leveled.

 

Aphex builds products that last and last without need for repairs or calibration. Some Compellors have literally been in 24 hour use in the same rack for a decade, or longer! When you specify a Compellor, you know it will do its job flawlessly and give you peace of mind.

 

Applications

 

Broadcast pre-processing

MP3 Encoding and playback

Recording

Installed and Mobile sound

DAW input

Mastering

Satellite uplinks

Background Music

Ham Radio

Tape Duplication

Cable TV

 

NOMINAL OPERATING LEVEL:

user selectable on back +4dBu -10dBV

 

ANALOG INPUTS

Connector 3 pin XLR Female

Type Transformerless servo balanced RFI filtered

Impedance 22k ohms balanced, 11k ohms unbalanced

Operating Level user selectable +4dBu or -10dBv

Max input level +27dBu (ref = +8);  +25dBu (ref = +4) +10dBV (ref = -10)

CMRR >90dB at 100Hz  >70dB at 1kHz  >50dB at 20kHz

 

DIGITAL INPUTS

Connector 3 pin XLR female

Type Transformer balanced

Impedance 110 ohms

 

ANALOG OUTPUTS

Connector 3 pin XLR Male

Type electronic servo balanced (unbalanced without 6dB loss)

Impedance 65 ohms bal or unbal (nominal load 600 ohms or greater)

Max level out (bal) +25dBu (ref = +4) +10.8dBV (ref = -10)

Max level out (unbal) +20dBu (ref = +4) +10.8dBV (ref = -10)

 

 

DIGITAL OUTS

Connector 3 pin XLR Male

Type Transformer balancedImpedance 110 ohms

 

AUDIO

Frequency Response ±1dB 10Hz to 65kHz

Hum and noise (1k tone at unity gain)

No gain reduction -67 dBu (ref = +4) -86dBV (ref = -10)

10dB gain reduction -74 dBu (ref = +4) -89dBV (ref = -10)

Crosstalk at 20kHz -65 dBu (ref = +4) -78dBV (ref = -10)

Dynamic THD typically .05% for 1kHz at 20dB gain reduction

Static THD .025% at maximum output level

IMD, max output .13% (ref = +4) .4% (ref = -10)

 

SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

Compression

Frequency Discriminate Leveling

Peak Limiter

Dynamic Verification Gate (DVG)

Dynamic Recovery Computer (DRC)

Silence Gate

Stereo Enhance

 

THRESHOLD

Compressor 30dB below nominal level

Leveler 30dB below nominal level

Limiter 14dB above nominal level

 

RATIO

Compressor 1.1:1 to 3:1 program dependent

Leveler 20:1

Limiter >30:1

 

ATTACK TIMES

Compressor 5 to 50msec program dependent

Leveler fast 20Hz = 1.5 Sec >1kHz Frequency Discriminate Leveler

Leveler slow 20Hz = 5 Sec >1kHz Frequency Discriminate Leveler

Limiter 1 uSec

 

RELEASE TIMES

Compressor 200mSec to 1 Second program dependent

Leveler fast 3 sec

Leveler slow 10 sec

Limiter 200 msec

 

DIGITAL AUDIO

Input SR Locks to 32, 44.1,48, 88.2, 96kHz ±3%

I/O Type AES/EBU 110 ohms XLR

Default Output SR User definable by replacing crystal; 48kHz standard

Word Clock Not Supported

 

OTHER SPECIFICATIONS

Power Requirements 100 - 120 - 220 - 240 VAC, 50-60Hz   20 Watts

Dimensions 1.75"H x 19"W x 10.125" D (44.5mm x 482.6mm x 257mm) (allow for wire dress)

Net Weight 8 lbs (3.6 kg)