Weiss DS1-MK3 Digital Mastering Compressor

The MK3 version of the DS1 - a software upgrade for the DS1-MK2:

• Independent parameter control in the two channels
• M/S mode selectable
• Sidechain link on / off switchable
• Peak / RMS sidechain processing
• Factory Presets programmed by Mr. Bob Katz
• 24 Bit POW-R dithering
• DS1-MK2 snapshots can be loaded in

Users of the standard DS1 model (i.e. not the MK2) can upgrade by swapping the DSP board of their DS1 for a new one. This can easily be done by the customer.

The Weiss 102 Series split band De-Esser is one of the mastering industry's most highly praised digital products. Now Weiss engineers have taken their De-Esser design and combined it with the best features of the time proven 102 Series Dynamics Processors. The result is the Weiss Gambit DS1, a stand alone digital Dynamics Processor with unparalleled performance and sonic integrity.

In De-Esser mode the compression band is selectable as a lowpass, bandpass or highpass and extends the functionality beyond de-essing. The crossover filters are linear phase for the highest sonic quality. The full band dynamics processor with soft knee compressor and hard limiter is ideal for program loudness control.

• Presets keys: let you select a bank of factory presets which can't be changed by the user, but which can be copied into normal snapshots and edited from there. Two banks of factory presets are given, de-esser type and compressor/limiter type.
• Monitor key: Allows to listen to the filtered signal only, i.e. the one being processed by the dynamics section, facilitates the search for offending signals.
• Bandsplitting: When touching "bandwidth" or "frequency", the soft keys will select which type of band (low, mid, high). The LEDs above the frequency knob show the current status. Frequency knob selects the corner / center frequency.
• Attack, Release etc.: Attack, release delay and release fast/slow with averaging knobs make up a powerful yet easy to operate timing section for optimum sound treatment. The LEDs between the knobs light depending on the automatically selected release time.
• Soft knee knob gives a variable soft knee characteristic (from no soft knee to very gentle). The LED above the knob lights if the input level is in the soft knee region. The LED above the threshold knob lights of the input level is above the threshold.
• Gain makeup allows for zero gain makeup in DeEsser mode and for as much gain makeup as possible in the compressor/limiter mode. Touching the gain makeup knob assigns the softkeys to select the various modes.

Some noteable features:

• Soft knee feature
• Dual mode unit (DeEsser or Compressor/Limiter)
• Oversampling sidechain
• Oversampling audio path in Compressor / Limiter mode
• Linear-phase band splitter
• Overall delay controllable in multiples of video frames
• Preview delay for early anticipation of level peaks
• Graphical LCD with comprehensive metering and settings information
• Metering of input level, output level, gain reduction
• 128 snapshots with 2 times 128 snapshots backup
• Each parameter MIDI controllable, MIDI dump of snapshots
• AES/EBU input / output
• The DS1 is absolutely bit-transparent as long as no gain reduction occurs - even in De-Esser mode.