Maselec MPL-2 Peak and HF Limiter

The Maselec MPL-2 Peak and HF Limiter is a limiter designed to achieve high subjective levels and reduce unwanted high frequencies (de-essing). It is equipped with 2 balanced XLR inputs and 2 balanced XLR outputs.

The MPL-2 is housed in a 1U 19" rack-mount alloy case. A minimum of controls is used due to automatic time constants and optimization techniques for gain reduction. The advantage is not only simple operation but also increased performance for highly dynamic and inconsistent materials without the need for continuous readjustments. The input gain does not reduce the wide dynamic range of the limiter. It can be used at its maximum setting with no increased risk of distortion. This eliminates the need for excessive levels, which could cause clipping in equipment feeding the input of the limiter. A further benefit is that the maximum peak output level (set with the threshold) is independent of different gain settings. High-Frequency Limiting is primarily intended for use as a de-esser, reducing unattractive high frequencies. Part of the high-frequency limiter circuit is also used to reduce distortion from the wideband limiter.

MPL-2 Features

• Prevent peak levels from exceeding a pre-set limit
• Increase subjective loudness of programs
• Give digitally recorded programs a more ‘analogue’ character
• Introduce a soft 'levelling' function for large differences in average program levels
• Reduce dynamic range of programs to maximize the performance of AD converters
• Add no audible 'pumping' resulting from limiting
• Have a well-defined threshold, with no need for program-related adjustments

MPL-2 Specifications

• Input Dynamic Range: Better than 120dB (balanced)
• Output Dynamic Range: 100dB to 120dB (depending on gain and threshold settings)
• Maximum Input Level: +29dBu (balanced)
• Maximum Output Level: +29dBu (balanced)
• Distortion (Typical): less than 0.003%
• Limiter Attack Time: Instant
• HF Limiter Attack Time: Program dependent 1msec to 20msec
• Release Time: Program dependent
• Input Impedance: 100kΩ ground floating electronically balanced
• Output Impedance: 33Ω electronically balanced
• Threshold: +14dBu to +22dBu
• H.F. Threshold: 0dB to 26dB below limiter threshold
• Gain: 0dB to 10dB
• H.F. Limiter: >2kHz
• Power: 90-130, 180-260 Volts @ 50-60 Hz
• Fuse: 315mA, anti-surge (slow)