Gated Ambient Compensator Component
The purpose of the Gated Ambient Compensator is to control the gain of a Program, for example, announcements, in a situation where the ambient noise varies.
The ambient noise is measured, and as it increases, the applied gain to the announcements increases at a set Ratio, so that when the announcement is made it is loud enough to overcome the ambient noise. When the announcement level exceeds the Threshold Level, the Ambient Detector becomes inactive so that the announcement is not measured along with the ambient noise. When the announcement level falls below the Threshold Level, the Ambient Detector again becomes active.
When the ambient noise is low, and an announcement is made, depending on the input level of the announcement, and the gain settings in the Compensator, attenuation may be applied to the announcement so that it is not too loud.
Properties
Gated Ambient Compensator Properties
Microphone Filter
Determines if the Mic Filter is active and available in the Control Panel.
Graphic Properties
Label
Use the Label property to change the name of the component in the schematic. The Label property defaults to the component name. To learn more about renaming schematic elements, see Organizing Your Design.
Position
The coordinates reference a specific place in the schematic - for example,"100,100" (horizontal, vertical). 0,0 is the upper left corner of the schematic.
Fill
Sets the fill color of the component in the schematic.
Script Access Properties
Code Name
Displays the currently assign name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.
Script Access
Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.
Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.
Controls
General
In Gain (dB)
Adjusts the microphone input level.
Detector (dB)
Displays the ambient level, including any program material present.
Response Panel
Graphically displays the operation of the Continuous Ambient Compensator.
The X axis represents the recovered ambient signal RMS level.
The Y axis represents the dB gain that is applied to the program material.
Bypass
When engaged, the Continuous Ambient Compensator is bypassed.
Gain (dB)
Displays the gain applied to the program material.
Out Gain (dB)
Adjusts the Program output level.
Mic Filter
Note: Depending on the Type of filter you select, some of the controls listed below may not be available.
Bypass
When engaged, the Mic Filter is bypassed, the ambient noise is not filtered except by the Audio Bandwidth setting in the Properties.
Type
Selects the type of filter to use. You can select one of the following:
- Low-Pass
- High-Pass
- Band-Pass
- Band-Stop
- Parametric
- Low-Shelf
- High-Shelf
Bandwidth (Octave)
Sets the width of the frequency band to be filtered. Available only with the Band-Pass, Band-Stop, and Parametric filters.
Frequency (Hz)
Sets the frequency of the filter. For filters that have a bandwidth setting, this is the center frequency of the bandwidth.
The upper limit for this control is either 1.25 kHz, 2.5 kHz, or 5.0 kHz depending on the Audio Bandwidth Property.
Gain (dB)
Sets the gain for the Parametric, High-Shelf, and Low-Shelf filters.
Detector
Program Threshold (dB)
Sets the threshold, of the Program input, above which the Ambient Detector is not active. When the program level falls below this setting, the Ambient Detector becomes active
Sense Delay (seconds or milliseconds)
Sets a delay in the time it takes the Ambient Detector to go from inactive to Active. This is to compensate for momentary pauses in the Program input.
Sensing
LED indicating if the Ambient Detector is active or not.
Gain Calculation
Ambient Threshold (dB)
The crossing point of the ambient level and the Minimum Gain. At this point, as the ambient level rises, the gain applied to the Program moves from the Minimum Gain towards the Maximum Gain. The point at which the ambient level is high enough to have an impact on the Program gain.
Ratio ( n:1)
The ratio between the Minimum Gain and the Maximum Gain as measured from the Ambient Threshold Level. The closer the Ratio is to 2, the lower the ambient level needs to be for the Maximum Gain to be used when the Program input passes the Program Threshold.
For example: If the Ambient Threshold is -30 dB, Minimum Gain is -10 dB, Maximum Gain is 10 dB, and the Ratio is 2.0, when the ambient level reaches -20 dB, Maximum Gain is applied when the Program Threshold is reached.
Same example except the Ratio is 0.5. When the ambient level reaches 10 dB the Maximum Gain is applied when the Program Threshold is reached.
Minimum Gain (dB)
The minimum amount of gain you want to apply to the Program output when the ambient noise is at it's lowest point. Usually a negative amount, or attenuation - shown in red on the Gain meter. Gain is added to the Program input level up to this setting. If the Minimum Gain is -15 dB, and the Program input level is 5 dB, the Program Output is -10 dB
5 + (-15) = -10
Maximum Gain (dB)
The maximum amount of gain you want to apply to the Program output when the ambient noise is at it's highest point. Gain is added to the Program input level up to this setting. If the Maximum Gain is set to 10 dB, and the Program input level is 5 dB, the Program Output is 15 dB.
Time Constants
Attack Time (seconds)
Sets the time it takes for the output amplitude to rise to 63% of the specified Ratio of the input amplitude once the Ambient Threshold Level is exceeded.
Release Time (seconds)
Sets the time it takes for the output to fall to 63% of the level set by the Minimum Gain control after the Ambient Detector level drops below the Ambient Threshold Level.
Control Pins
The available Control Pins depend on settings in Properties.
|
Pin Name |
Value |
String |
Position |
Pins Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ambient Detector Level |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Output |
|
Ambient Sense Delay Time |
0.00 to 10 |
0 ms to 10 s |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Ambient Threshold Level |
-60 to 20 |
-60 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Applied Gain |
0 to 20 |
0 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Output |
|
Attack Time |
1 to 10 |
1 s to 10 s |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Bypass |
0 1 |
active bypass |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Input Gain |
-20 to 20 |
-20 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Maximum Program Gain |
0 to 20 |
0 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Microphone Filter Bandwidth |
.010 to 3.00 |
.010 to 3.00 |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Microphone Filter Bypass |
0 1 |
active bypass |
0 1 |
Input / Output |
|
Microphone Filter Frequency |
10 to 5000 |
10 Hz to 5 kHz |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Microphone Filter Gain |
-100 to 20 |
-100 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Microphone Filter Type |
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 |
Low-Pass High-Pass Band-Pass Band-stop Parametric Low-Shelf High-Shelf |
0 .167 .333 .500 .667 .833 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Minimum Program Gain |
-20 to 0 |
-20 dB to 0 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input /Output |
|
Output Gain |
-20 to 20 |
-20 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Program Threshold Level |
-60 to 20 |
-60 dB to 20 dB |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Ratio |
0.500 to 2.00 |
.500 to 2.0 |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Release Time |
1 to 10 |
1 s to 10 s |
0.000 to 1.00 |
Input / Output |
|
Sensing |
0 1 |
false true |
0 1 |
Output |
