dbx DDP Digital Dynamics Processor
January 29, 1998The new 'DDP' Digital Dynamics Processor from dbx Professional Products combines all of dbx's classic gating, compression, limiting, de-essing and more functions into a single 1U digital package.
Perfect for both studio and live situations, the true stereo/dual -mono DDP comes equipped with 50 factory presets covering just about every application imaginable. Custom presets may also be easily designed, then saved to any of the DDP's 50 userdefined spaces. Saving a preset also saves what makes that particular preset work 'behind the scenes', such as sample rate performance, MIDI setup and optional digital output information, as well as any of the other utilities, like sidechain setup and monitor, EQ settings and SysEx functions. When building or altering presets, the full-featured front panel controls of the DDP allow precision control over every parameter.
The DDP's large, backlit display utilizes a hybrid of graphics, characters and icons to make it extremely user-friendly. With its extensive metering, users can see exactly what is going on with all parts of their signal-input, internal processing and output, with peak and VU, as well as gain reduction for both sides of the stereo image. A high-resolution graph even displays a composite 'output versus input' plot of the audio signal, providing a physical representation of the compression curve. When changes are made to any parameter, the hi-res graphical display immediately updates the processing curve in real time to reflect those adjustments.
Optional AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital outputs may be added for extra flexibility and assured compatibility with 48 and 44.1 kHz formats. When equipped with digital output, the DDP also provides the same dbx TYPE IV(TM) output as found in the company's highend Blue Series. Capturing the full dynamic range of an analog signal and coupling it with the powerful dynamic range of this patent-pending dbx process, TYPE IV will make digital signals sound like they came from the highest-quality analog source imaginable.
Offering an ultra-wide dynamic range thanks to TYPE IV's 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, the digital-ready DDP also features dbx's TSE(TM) (Tape Saturation Emulation), which provides the pleasant overload characteristics of analog tape without the harsh distortion of most digital input systems.
The back panel of the DDP features both XLR and 1/4" balanced ins and outs, while a wide-ranging gain control onthe front panel allows for either +4 or -10 operation. The processor's gate features the traditional controls for threshold, ratio, attack, hold and release. Also included is dbx's Variable Transient Capture Mode(TM)--a feature previously available only in the dbx 172 Super Gate. Limiting is available from -60dB to 0dB, with adjustable gain, attack and release parameters. Compression controls include threshold, ratio, gain, auto, attack, hold and release, with selectable OverEasy(R) with VariKnee(TM) (Brand New! Available only in the DDP) or hard knee thresholds. An ultra-smooth continuous Auto mode can even be implemented to let the DDP take over the steering wheel. Variable de-essing is also offered between 800Hz to 8kHz while +/-12dB of constant-Q EQ is available across the full frequency span of 20Hz to 20kHz. Sidechain monitor is further offered in the EQ section.
Despite the fact that other similar digital devices on the market are available at upwards of $2,000.00, the dbx DDP features a suggested U.S. retail price of only $599.00. For more information, visit their web site at www.dbxpro.com. |
