DUAL LIMITER

CLASSIC PWM LIMITER

USER’S MANUAL
 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS – READ FIRST

This symbol, wherever it appears, This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts

alerts you to the presence of uninsulated you to important operating and maintenance
dangerous voltage inside the enclosure. Voltage instructions in the accompanying literature.
that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Please read manual.

Read instructions:
Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here
and on the equipment. Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.

Do not open:
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to qualified technical personnel only.
Power sources:
Only connect the unit to mains power of the type marked on the rear panel. The power source must provide a good
ground connection.
Power cord:
Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local mains supply as provided with the equipment. If the
provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult your service agent. Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be
walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against.
Grounding:
Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or tamper with the ground
connection on the power cord.
Ventilation:
Do not obstruct the ventilation slots or position the unit where the air required for ventilation is impeded. If the unit is to be
operated in a rack, case or other furniture, ensure that it is constructed to allow adequate ventilation.
Moisture:
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp or wet conditions. Do
not place a container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings.
Heat:
Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire
hazard. Locate the unit away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies,
power amplifiers and heaters.
Environment:
Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spillage and
smoke, especially that associated with smoke machines.
Handling:
To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid rough handling and excessive vibration.
Protect the controls from damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit.
To avoid injury to yourself or damage to the equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the
unit.
Servicing:
Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled liquid, objects fallen
into opening, or the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightning storm or if smoke odor or noise is noted.
Refer servicing to qualified technical personnel only.
Installation:
Install the unit in accordance with the instructions printed in the user guide.

I
 DUAL LIMITER
CLASSIC PWM LIMITER

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS – READ FIRST.....................................................................................I

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................1

INSTALLATION ...................................................................................................................................................2
Unpacking.............................................................................................................................................................2
AC Power Hookup ................................................................................................................................................2
Analog Audio Connections ...................................................................................................................................2
REAR PANEL I/O.................................................................................................................................................3
Balanced Inputs ....................................................................................................................................................3
Balanced Outputs .................................................................................................................................................3
Detector Loop .......................................................................................................................................................3
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS AND INDICATORS ...............................................................................................4
Power....................................................................................................................................................................4
Bypass Switch ......................................................................................................................................................4
Input Control .........................................................................................................................................................4
Output Control ......................................................................................................................................................4
Ratio Switch..........................................................................................................................................................4
Attack Control .......................................................................................................................................................5
Release Control ....................................................................................................................................................5
Compressor Attenuation LED Meter.....................................................................................................................5
The Link Switch ....................................................................................................................................................6
APPLICATIONS ...................................................................................................................................................7
Compressor/ Limiter .............................................................................................................................................7
Stereo Mix and Mastering.....................................................................................................................................7
Vocal and Instrument Leveling .............................................................................................................................7
Ducking.................................................................................................................................................................7
WARRANTY INFORMATION ..............................................................................................................................8
Limited Warranty (USA only) ................................................................................................................................8
Online Registration ...............................................................................................................................................8
Exclusions.............................................................................................................................................................8
SERVICE ..............................................................................................................................................................9

SPECIFICATIONS..............................................................................................................................................10

TABLE OF FIGURES:

FIGURE 1 – Rear Panel .......................................................................................................................................3

FIGURE 2 – Channel 1 Controls ..........................................................................................................................5

II
INTRODUCTION

Thanks for purchasing Applied Research and Technology’s DUAL LIMITER offering a superb level
of sound quality, DUAL LIMITER has a unique design that will enhance the sonic textures of your
audio system for years to come. Developed in partnership with studio and live-sound engineers, the
DUAL LIMITER is very musical.
The heart of the Dual Limiter is a unique PWM gain control circuit. Combined with its' intelligent
detector, the result is a Classic sounding compressor/ limiter without the traditional nose and
distortion artifacts.
The DUAL LIMITER was designed and constructed with high quality components, assuring a
lifetime of quiet, reliable performance.

Features:

• Two channels of dynamics processing

• Selectable stereo linking of channels
• XLR balanced inputs and outputs
• 1/4” TRS active balanced inputs and outputs
• Variable Attack and Release controls
• Selectable Slope
• Hardwire bypass
• 5-segment Gain Reduction LED array
• Internal power supply
• 3-year parts and labor warranty

The DUAL LIMITER may be used as either a compressor or a limiter with all of the following:
• Multitrack or analog recording device.
• In a mixer’s channel insert points.
• Between a microphone preamp and signal processors.
• Between pre-amplified electronic musical instruments (synthesizers, guitars, bass, samplers,
acoustic instruments with pickups) and other line-level equipment.

1
INSTALLATION

The ART DUAL LIMITER may be used in a wide variety of applications and environments. Housed
in a rack-mountable, all-steel enclosure, the unit is designed for continuous professional use.
Mounting location is not critical. However for greater performance and reliability, we recommend that
users not place the unit on top of power amps, or other sources of heat and/or strong magnetic fields.

Unpacking
The DUAL LIMITER was packed with care at the factory. The shipping carton was designed to
protect it during initial shipment. Please retain this carton for use in transporting DUAL LIMITER when
it is not installed in a rack, or in the unlikely event that the DUAL LIMITER requires servicing. The
shipping carton should contain:
- DUAL LIMITER
- The user's manual
- Power cord

AC Power Hookup
DUAL LIMITER has an internal power supply designed to operate at 105 to 125VAC, 50 to 60Hz.
Units manufactured for use outside of the United States have been modified to comply with the
required electrical specifications for the country of use. Under no circumstances should the power
cable be altered. If the cable becomes cut or damaged, discontinue its use and have it replaced
before operating DUAL LIMITER.
The power source must provide a good ground connection, and the ground pin on the mains plug
should never be defeated.

Analog Audio Connections

Audio connections to and from DUAL LIMITER are:

Balanced input: [XLR] Pin 2 = Hot (+), Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground
[1/4”] Tip = Hot (+), Ring = Cold (-), Sleeve = Ground

Balanced output: [XLR] Pin 2 = Hot (+), Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground
[1/4”] Tip = Hot (+), Ring = Cold (-), Sleeve = Ground

Detector loop: [1/4”] Tip = Input, Ring = Output, Sleeve = Ground

Unbalanced 1/4-inch cables may be used with no damage to DUAL LIMITER, however, we strongly
recommend users use a balanced connection whenever possible to reduce noise. We recommend
using only high-quality cables equipped with the appropriate connectors.

2
FIGURE 1 – Rear Panel

REAR PANEL I/O

Balanced Inputs
The DUAL LIMITER provides both an XLR and 1/4-inch input jack. These jacks are balanced, but
the 1/4-inch jack can be used with unbalanced signals by simply plugging in an unbalanced cable.
The inputs are designed for use with line level signals ranging from –30dBm to +20dBm. While it is
possible to plug an instrument directly into the DUAL LIMITER, it is desirable to run the instrument
into a preamp ahead of the unit. This will provide a stronger signal and will keep noise to a minimum.
Microphones must connect through a microphone preamplifier (like the ART Pro MPA II) before
connecting into the DUAL LIMITER.
NOTE: The DUAL LIMITER has a passive (hardwire) bypass. This means that the bypass works
even if the power is off.

Balanced Outputs
The analog output of the DUAL LIMITER is available on both a 1/4-inch TRS balanced jack and an
XLR jack. The output has a 150-Ohm output impedance with power on/off muting.

Detector Loop
The Detector loop is an insert point between the buffered input signal and the Detector of the
compressor.
Connecting an EQ to process this signal can contour the compressor's response to perform de-
essing by boosting the frequency from 5kHz to 8kHz.
Connect an audio signal to the Detector Loop Input and have the DUAL LIMITER reduce gain when
a signal is present to provide Ducking (see the APPLICATIONS section for more information).
NOTE: The Input control will NOT control the gain reduction of the Dual Limiter in this Ducking
application.

3
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS and INDICATORS

Power
The POWER switch turns the power on and off to the unit. The DUAL LIMITER should be turned
“ON” with all monitor levels turned down to protect against any thumping caused by power up.
Likewise, the DUAL LIMITER should be turned off only after turning all monitor levels down. Power on
the DUAL LIMITER before any monitoring outputs or power amps are turned on.
If the DUAL LIMITER fails to power up when the POWER switch is turned on, check to see that its
power cord is plugged into an active outlet. If the unit still fails to operate properly, turn it off and
unplug it. You can inspect the fuse as long as the unit's AC power cord is unplugged. Consult an ART
dealer or the ART Customer Service Department if the fuse continues to blow.

Bypass Switch
The DUAL LIMITER BYPASS switch physically connects the input jack to the output jack on each
respective channel (also known as a hardwire bypass). The analog signal still passes from input to
output if the Bypass switch is depressed even when power is off.

Input Control
The Input control sets the input gain of the DUAL LIMITER. Turning this control clockwise lowers the
threshold by adding more gain to the input signal. Too increase the amount of compression (or
sustain if processing an instrument), simply rotate the control clockwise. You can get up to 40dB of
gain through the unit when both the Input and Output controls are adjusted fully clockwise.
Use the attenuation meter as a visual guide to the amount of compression/limiting applied. After this
is set you can adjust the Output level control.

Output Control
The OUTPUT control adjusts the output level of the Dual Limiter after the gain reduction takes
place. Use this control after the Input control is adjusted to set the required overall output level.
The markings on the output control indicate the output level (in dBm) when the slope is set to LIMIT
with at least 3dB of gain reduction.

Ratio Switch
The RATIO Switch selects the “amount” of compression applied to the input signal once that signal
reaches or exceeds the threshold. This compression amount is expressed as a ratio of input to
output. For example if a 4:1 compression ratio is chosen, for every 4dB over the threshold the input
signal rises, the output level only rises by 1dB. In this case if the input signal increased 12dB over the
threshold, the output level would only rise by 3dB.
Setting the Ratio switch to LIMIT will hold the output level constant above the threshold. This setting
is useful to prevent excessive peak levels or simply add sustain to an instrument.
If you require slopes less than 4:1, you can connect the output of the unit to the Detector Loop Input.
This will produce a slope of 2:1 when the front switch is set to LIMIT and 1.15:1 when set to 4:1. Note:
in this configuration, the output control will set the compression threshold.

4
FIGURE 2 – Channel 1 Controls

Attack Control
The ATTACK control sets the time it takes the Compressor/Limiter to respond to increases in signal
level (by reducing gain) and shape the front end of the dynamics envelope.
One example is to listen to a snare hit and adjust the ATTACK control. A short attack makes the
snare sound “thin”. As the attack time goes longer (the knob is turned clockwise) more of the thump in
the compressed snare can be heard. The downside is that this creates an overshoot, or “transient”,
the length of which is the time set by the ATTACK control.
Overshoots less than 1 mSec. are very hard to hear even when they are clipped. If the ATTACK is
set too fast, the gain may be reduced too much and thereby create a pumping sound1.

Release Control
The RELEASE control sets the time the Compressor/Limiter takes to increase the gain after the
input level drops.
Longer settings maintain the dynamics of the input signal, while shorter settings reduce the
dynamics. Shorter settings will also increase the apparent reverberation, and at extreme gain
reduction settings, lead to breathing artifacts2.

Compressor Attenuation LED Meter

The attenuation meter displays the DUAL LIMITER compressor/limiter action. The meter covers a
very large range. The Thresh. LED illuminates when the input signal reaches or exceeds the
compressor detector threshold setting (Input control) and results in a reduction of 0.5dB or more.
Subtle compression settings should not require more than 6-12dB of gain reduction.
NOTE: if the display "dims", that means that more than 25dB of gain reduction is taking place and
the unit is close to clipping. Turn the Input control counter-clockwise to prevent this.

1
“Pumping” in a Compressor/Limiter sounds like the signal is attenuated when it shouldn’t be.
2
“Breathing” is the sound of the Compressor/Limiter turning up the gain so quickly breathing noises between words during
vocal processing are heard.

5
The Link Switch
The two channels of the DUAL LIMITER can be configured for stereo operation by depressing the
LINK switch. Link Mode connects the gain reduction of the two channels together for stereo
operation. Link Mode ensures that each channel of the stereo input signal is processed identically to
prevent any shifting or distortion of the stereo image.
The Detector signals of the two channels are summed so either channel's signal can trigger gain
reduction.
Both channels' Input, Output, Attack and Release controls must be set identically to maintain stereo
operation.
Bypass switches remain independent in link mode.

6
APPLICATIONS

Compressor/ Limiter
The main application of the DUAL LIMITER is to control the dynamic range of an audio signal. Plug
a line level (post preamplifier or other gain stage) source into either input, and set the Input and
output controls to provide the desired amount of compression to the input signal.
To keep the compression effects to a minimum, adjust the INPUT and RATIO controls such that the
Compressor Attenuation meter reads 6dB or less.

Stereo Mix and Mastering

Because of its low noise and excellent tonal qualities, the DUAL LIMITER is ideal for processing
mixes when recording to digital or analog recording devices. Used as a mastering device, the DUAL
LIMITER is capable of adding volume and impact to the overall signal level while limiting peak levels.
The DUAL LIMITER is ideal for live use as well.
Putting the unit into link mode maintains the stereo image of the source material during gain
reduction. The knobs and switches on both channels should be set identically.
The DUAL LIMITER really does a good job of controlling the peak content when setting the attack
and release short and the ratio to "Limit". Make sure not to set the Input control too high however.
Only 6-9 dB indicated on The Compressor Attenuation meter is required to maximize the level for
digital recordings.

Vocal and Instrument Leveling

The musical nature of the DUAL LIMITER makes it ideal for use on a wide range of instruments and
vocals. Place the DUAL LIMITER into a channel insert, after a preamplifier, or in line with the direct
output of a mixer channel. Adjust the controls of the DUAL LIMITER to achieve the desired amount of
compression.
A good starting point for speech is a Ratio of 4:1 and gain reduction of 3-9dB.
Adding sustain to instruments requires more aggressive settings for ratio (set to LIMIT) and Input
controls. Gain reduction in the 15dB range typical.
Vocal processing may require tailoring of the detector response to prevent excessive sibilance.
Connect a graphic EQ to the detector loop and boost the 5-8 kHz bands 6dB or more to reduce vocal
sibilance.

Ducking
One application of ducking is muting the background music whenever someone talks into a mic.
Simply connect the background music to be ducked to the audio input of the DUAL LIMITER and
connect the line level buffered mic signal to the Detector Loop jack. Set the RATIO control to "Limit".
Set the ATTACK control to 1 to 2 mSec to guarantee the music fades off quickly. Adjust the
RELEASE control to set the time it takes to fade the music back in after there is no mic signal.
For a stereo music source, depress the LINK switch and make sure that the Channel 2 Detector
Loop jack has a shorting plug inserted or the same mic signal applied.

7
WARRANTY INFORMATION

Limited Warranty (USA only)

Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty and service for this unit in accordance with
the following warrants:
Applied Research and Technology, (A R T) warrants to the original purchaser that this product and
the components thereof will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of three
years from the date of purchase. Applied Research and Technology will, without charge, repair or
replace, at its option, defective product or component parts upon prepaid delivery to the factory
service department or authorized service center, accompanied by proof of purchase date in the form
of a valid sales receipt.

Online Registration
We recommend that you register your product online to insure prompt warranty repair servicing on
any repair issues. Please go to www.artproaudio.com. Select “Support”, then "Product Registration”
input your information here.

Exclusions
This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or abuse of the product or as a result of
unauthorized alterations or repairs. This warranty is void if the serial number is altered, defaced, or
removed.
A R T reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this
product without any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.
A R T shall not be liable for any consequential damages, including without limitation damages
resulting from loss of use. Some states do not allow limitations of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state.
For units purchased outside the United States, an authorized distributor of Applied Research and
Technology will provide service.

8
SERVICE

The following information is provided in the unlikely event that your unit requires service.
1. Be sure that the unit is the cause of the problem. Check to make sure the unit has power, all
cables are connected correctly, and the cables themselves are in working condition. You may
want to consult with your dealer for assistance in troubleshooting or testing your particular
configuration.
2. If you believe that the ART unit is at fault, go to www.artproaudio.com.
3. Select “Support”, then “Return Authorization Request” to request a return authorization number.
4. If you are returning the unit for service, pack the unit in its original carton or a reasonable
substitute. The original packaging may not be suitable as a shipping carton, so consider putting
the packaged unit in another box for shipping. Print the RA number clearly on the outside of the
shipping box. Print your return shipping address on the outside of the box.
5. Include, with your unit, a note with the RA number and your contact information, including a
return shipping address (we cannot ship to a P.O. box) and a daytime phone number, and a
description of the problem, preferably attached to the top of the unit. Also include a copy of your
purchase receipt.

Please fill in the following information for your reference:

Date of purchase: __________________________________
Purchased from: __________________________________
Serial Number: __________________________________

9
SPECIFICATIONS

Input Impedance 20k Ohms

Output Impedance
Balanced/Unbalanced 150 Ohms

Maximum Levels
Inputs +20dBu
Output +20dBu

Overall Gain +40dB max

Frequency Response 10Hz to 30kHz (+/- 1dB)

Dynamic Range >105dB (20-20kHz)

THD @ 0dBm Out 0.03% (typical)

Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) -97dBu (20-20kHz)

Attack Time 0.5mSec. to 50mSec., variable

Release Time 100mSec. to 3 Sec., variable

Slope 4:1 or >20:1, switchable (OR 2:1 or 1.5:1 when patching output to
det. loop input)

Dimensions (HWD) 1.75-inch x 19.0-inch x 5.9-inch

44.5 mm x 482.6 mm x 150mm

Weight 4.7 lbs. (2.1 kg.)

Power Requirements USA – 105 to 125 VAC / 60 Hz, 1/2A fuse, <15W
Export units configured for country of destination.

Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 VRMS

ART maintains a policy of constant product improvement. ART reserves the right to make changes
in design, or make additions to, or improvements upon, this product without any obligation to install
same on products previously manufactured. Therefore, specifications are subject to change without
notice.

10
 www.artproaudio.com
E-mail: support@artproaudio.com

© 2017 Applied Research & Technology

DUAL LIMITER 522-5004-101

CLASSIC PWM LIMITER