Waves Hardware

Why L2?You can use L2 to significantly increase the average signal level of typical audio signals without introducing audible sidIt’s superb for mastering, mixing, and recording, but equally capable of extreme limiting, intentional pumping, anddynamic processing effects. Take L2 with you to every live sound venue, recording studio, mastering house and producing the hottest audio wherever and whenever you want. L2’s Increased Digital Resolution wordlength reduction system features ninth-order noise shaping which can incrperceived sound by as much as 18dB. For example, when you start with original sources of 20 bits or more,16 and 20 bitmay have the perceived sound quality of 19 and 23 bit signals.

Features:* 48-bit processing * Sampling rates up to 96kHz * The famous brick-wall look ahead peak limiter from the Waves L1 software processor, with some extraordinary refinem* Waves proprietary IDR (Increased Digital Resolution) wordlength-reduction technology (2 types of dither and sevenoise shaping) * Waves ARC (Auto Release Control) technology for dynamically controlling release times for maximum level with artifacts. Back to TopIncreased Digital Resolution Requantize, Dither and NoiseShaping System

IDRIDR is a proprietary noise shaping dither system developed by Waves. It signifies a major advance in preserving andincreasing the resolution of the digital signal being processed. IDR is of particular benefit when data is deliberately requaa shorter wordlength.

The Waves IDR system in L2 can be implemented with ease and convenience using the following three push button contr

1. Quantize – You can choose the Quintile level according to your desired output (24, 22, 20, 18 or 16 bit). 2. Dither – there are two types: Type 1 provides no nonlinear distortion. Type 2 exhibits lower dither (hiss) level. L2function can also be completely switched out (off). 3. Noise shaping – Select from either Moderate, Normal, Ultra, or non (off).

ApplicationsL2 performs high quality requantization to 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 bit signals. It can be used to requantize 24 bit input signbit, an ideal function for DAT and CDR applications.

Analog to Digital mastering Digital to Digital mastering Digital recording 16 bit dithered/ 24bit Analog limiter insert Digital limiter insert Recording a mixdown to DAT through L2 ADDA conversion

Digital Bits & PiecesMaximum levelThe maximum level of a digital signal is governed by the highest peak in the source. However, many of these upper pebe of very short duration and can usually be reduced in level by several dB with minimal audible side effects. By trancontrolling these peaks, the entire level of the file can be raised several more dB than by simple normalization or previouof digital limiters, resulting in a higher average signal level. L2 avoids the possibility of overshoot by utilizing a look ahead technique. This technique lets L2 anticipate and reshape pway that produces the bare minimum audible artifacts. As there is no possibility of overshoot, L2 can be used with confidence in situations where brick wall limiting is critical. Maximum resolutionAny digital signal processing that alters the original digital data (whether by mixing, gain changes, EQ, dynamic processgenerally increases the number of bits required to represent the signal. Even while processing 16 bit signals, it is normal to process using at least 24 bit resolution. However, as soon as the(wordlength) is reduced by rounding or truncation, the resulting error produces audible distortion at low signal levepermanent loss of digital resolution. If the audio signal is repeatedly processed and reduced back to shorter wordlenlosses accumulate, causing a significant loss of fidelity evident in the loss of the tonal subtleties in low-level sounds. Thear uses this low level information to construct a mental image of the stereo soundstage, so compromise in this area mitself as a loss of spaciousness and transparency.

There are two ways around this problem:1. Do all intermediate processing and storage, using at least 20 or 24 bits, to avoid or minimize resolution loss, then 2. Apply proper dithering when reducing wordlength for the final production master. You can use L2 to add a precisely camount of noise (termed ‘dither’) to convert low-level nonlinear distortion caused by truncation, into a simple steady hissremoving all traces of low-level non-linearity. Unfortunately it does this at the expense of a slightly increased backgrouObviously high noise levels are unacceptable in high quality audio applications. To greatly reduce the perceived level noise, L2 ‘shapes’ noise in such a way that it falls into an area of the audio spectrum where the human ear is the least se

ARCARC (Auto Release Control) technology is designed to dynamically choose the optimum release value for a wide-rangiARC reacts much like a human ear, and can produce increased RMS levels and audio clarity. In limiters, fast release times are essential for the process to work cleanly and clearly. Slow release times with heavycause pumping and other unwanted artifacts. To allow more limiting with less artifacts, the release time must change cto control different parts of the signal. In ARC, similar to the human ear, RMS and peak transients are analyzed and redifferently. In general, the release is faster for peak transients and slower for the overall RMS level. The ARC system does exactly this, varying the release time to fit the ear's expectations while increasing RMS, without dartifacts. Back to Top

Technical Specifications:

A to D:Freq. response +0/- 0.01 dB 20 to 20 kHz Noise -112 dBFS (18.3 bits) THD, 24 bits, 1 kHz@-10 dBFS 3rd Harmonic -130 dBFS

Analog to Analog:THD just below Clipping < or = 0.0060% Crosstalk 99 dB Frequency response (A-A) 96kHz: +0/-.5 dB 20 Hz-24.6 kHz -3 dB @ 45.2 kHz 44.1kHz: +0/-.3 dB 20 Hz-20 kHz -3 dB @ 21.2 kHz

Front Panel Buttons:I/O selector: Analog, S/PDIF (RCA), AES (XLR). Sync: Internal, S/PDIF (RCA), AES (XLR), external word sync.

Sample Rates: 44.1, 48kHz. x1/x2: Double sample rates (88.2, 96kHz). Quantize: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24-bit. Dither: Off, moderate, normal, ultra. Link/Unlink: For two mono limiters or one linked stereo limiter. Bypass Peak meter reset ARC release button

Front panel displays:Input bar graph range: 0.0 to -40dB. Output bar graph range: 0.0 to -40dB. Atten bar graph range: -0.5 to -12 dB. ** All bar graphs have infinite peak hold (front panel push-button resets all).

Dimensions:2U 19" Standard Rackmount Box Width (behind the front panel): Metric: 440 mm, Imperial: 17 3/8" Depth: Metric: 220 mm, Imperial: 8 5/8" Height: Metric: 85 mm, Imperial: 3 3/8

Front panel dedicated rotary controls:Thresh: Range is -30.0 to 0.0dB, calibration: 0.1dB steps. Ceiling: Range is -30.0 to 0.0dB, calibration: 0.1dB steps. Release (with push-button): Range is 0.01 to 1000ms (logarithmic), push-button toggles ARC feature on/off.

Front panel dedicated numeric displays:Thresh: -30.0 to 0.0dB. Ceiling: -30.0 to 0.0dB. Release: 0.01 to 1000.0ms.

Back Panel:Analog stereo input/output: Balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA Digital input/output: AES (XLR), S/PDIF (RCA) External word clock: BNC connector Mains power supply (NON-SWITCHING) & power switch: dedicated non-changeable configurations of 100, 110 or 220V (ato your local mains power supply), 50 to 60Hz. Must order for desired voltage configuration. L2’s 2U front panel contains four 6mm diameter bolt fastening holes and fits standard 19” studio racks.