WesAudio | NGLEVELER 16-CH Analog Automation with digital Recall

NGLEVELER

ngLEVELER – “Next generation Leveler” is analog automation system with convenient features for better studio integration. Besides its automation engine it also brings analog saturation per each channel which helps tracks to get more presence in the mix. ngLEVELER doesn’t have any controls, it is either managable via:
– DAW Plug-in
– HUI controller
– Or both

This approach gives us very convenient fader control with true total recall system via DAW plug-in. ngLEVELER was created to become studio centerpiece, and because of its simple analog connectivity it can be used in many applications!

1. Opposite quad channel link: This functionality links two stereo channels in an opposite way, it means that by pushing level of channel 1 & 2, channel 3 & 4 signal will be lowered by the same amount, perfect solution to drive our stereo analog units maintaining the same signal level.
2. Channel mode: This parameter defines how two neighbor channels will be linked. There are following options:
a. Off – No linking, pure dual-mono operation.
b. Stereo – Channels will share exactly the same settings (absolute linking).
c. Linked – Channels are linked relatively (relative linking) – perfect solution to compensate different channel levels while using dual mono analog devices as stereo pair.
d. Linked Opposite – Channels are linked relatively (relative linking), but in opposite way, it means if channel 1 level will increase, channel 2 will be lowered by the same amount. It is perfect solution if we have mono unit that we would like to drive harder to hear how it performs. In that scenario ngLEVELER channel X OUT should go straight to IN of our device, and channel Y IN of ngLEVELER should receive signal from the OUT of device.
3. THD – toggles THD level, possible steps – OFF (LEDs disabled), MED, HIGH.
4. SOLO/MUTE – Solo and Mute for particular channel.
5. IN metering – signal level for particular channel measured after PAD, however before ngLEVELER main circuit (Leveling, THD, Solo, Mute).
6. Fader – Level control.
7. OUT metering – signal level for particular channel measured after ngLEVELER main circuit.
8. Channel name – assignable and fully user configurable channel name – please note that this name will be also communicated to external controller if in use.
9.Trim / Level value – depend on the mode (Fader/Trim) this field shows current value of: TRIM – When Fader mode is selected / LEVEL – When Trim mode is selected.
10. GROUP – Group asssigned to a particular channel.
11. PAD – Passive 6dB attenuator.

Monitoring!

MUTE – channel is muted.

SOLO – Any channel with solo active will pass the signal with full processing
unless it is not explicitly muted. Hitting solo on particular channel will
also mute all other channels unless solo or solo safe is not engaged.

SOLO SAFE – Channel will pass the signal with full processing
unless it is not explicitly muted – this channel will pass signal,
even if other channels are soloed. Usually this approach is used to mark
summed grouped signal to follow solo of individual tracks.

TRIM MODE!

Trim mode allows us to change level of each channel on top of already setup Faders. Trim faders also work in very high resolution as whole TRIM fader work in limited scale -10dB to +5dB. Such approach gives us few important benefits.

1. With fader mode used as our main leveling mechanism, it is still possible to change the balance even if levels in fader mode are already automated. Let’s assume we would like to change level of the kick channel in already automated drums group.
2. We can use group automation in fader mode, and still use Trim mode to either:
   1. Automate differently individual channels of our group,
   2. Or simply change level between individual tracks of our group.
3. Trim mode also maybe very convenient for automation, as whole fader scale on the plug-in or controller is relatively small (15dB) compared to full scale of the fader mode.

CHANNEL GROUPS!

Assign each channel to one of 4 groups which
technically link all parameters in particular group.

Some parameters maybe disabled from groping:

a) Level (Fader Mode level) / Trim (Trim mode level) / THD / PAD.
b) This approach allows to automate for instance only LEVEL for whole group – keeping exactly same level relations between channels, and all other parameters (Trim/THD/Pad) can be used independently for each channel.

Each group can be also disabled at any time to allow modifications of each parameter for particular channel.

HUI Control!

ngLEVELER is fully compatible with HUI, that means most of its functions are manageable directly from HUI controller. To do so, it is enough to connect HUI controller to PC/MAC where ngLEVELER is available (so it is either connected to same machine via USB or when Ethernet connection is used, it is in the same network). Advantage of this approach is, that it is not necessary to run any application (DAW plugin) to control ngLEVELER from your HUI controller, it is enough to log into your operating system and you are good to go! There are few configuration options:

1. HUI control surface to ngLEVELER – this function exclusively uses HUI controller to manage ngLEVELER parameters, in this mode HUI control surface can’t be used with DAW.

2. HUI control surface to ngLEVELER with DAW mediation – this mode works exactly as above, with few differences
– All transport section, special functions are mediated to DAW,Fader section of HUI controller can be toggled via Function Key between: ngLEVELER control
– DAW control.

3. ngLEVELER as HUI device – in this mode ngLEVELER acts as HUI controller, it means that it can be controlled by first 16 faders in your DAW session.