CAKEWALK CA-2A Benutzerhandbuch Seite 8

CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier is meticulously modeled after a legendary vintage electro-
optical tube compressor. This compressor, known for its automatic gain control characteristics,
delivers vintage sound with incredibly warm and rich compression. It is revered by audio
engineers worldwide for its trademark sound, and has been used on countless hit records since
the late 1960s. It is one of the true classics in the audio recording industry.
The purpose of a compressor is to limit the dynamic range of music or sound. Compression will
make the loud parts of the signal quieter, resulting in a more or less even level. Compression is
usually applied to compensate for the small variations in level that occur when a musician plays
an instrument or a vocalist sings a song.
CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier is a soft-knee compressor that features program dependent
release times and a flat frequency response of 30Hz to 15kHz (see
response adjustment). The attack time is fixed at 10 milliseconds. The release time is roughly
60 milliseconds for 50% release, and 0.5 to 5 seconds for full release, depending on the
previous program material. The two-stage release results in very transparent compression
characteristics.
CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier models the tubes and the T4 electro-optical device in the
original hardware units. The T4 circuit uses an electroluminescent panel to determine the attack
time, and an optical photo cell to determine the release time. All based on the incoming program
material. The T4 has very little distortion. To realize the characteristic sound of the original
hardware, the tubes are also modeled to add analog characteristics. Total Harmonic Distortion
(THD) comes from the four tubes in the original hardware, which slightly changes the signal
shape adding even and odd harmonics based on the frequency of the program material. The
THD has a slight effect on the output gain, less than 0.35% to 0.75% at +10 dB to +16 dB of the
program material.
The modeling of the tubes and the T4 circuit is what gives CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier its
unique compression characteristics. The curves are "wobbly" and only reduce gain to a certain
point before "giving in" and letting the output level increase again. Unlike typical dynamics
processors that have a fixed compression ratio across all frequencies, the CA-2A T-Type
Leveling Amplifier gain reduction is different at different frequencies.
CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier is suitable for just about any audio material. It sounds
especially good on vocals, and also works great on guitar, electric and upright bass, guitars,
piano, wind instruments, and other tracks that need gentle compression. It even works well on
full-program mixes.
Note: The original hardware unit is mono, and can be linked with a second unit for stereo
leveling. CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier operates in both mono and stereo modes
without a loss in stereo imaging.
This documentation describes the CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier controls and parameters.
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R37 control for frequency