PIONEER RG-2 RG Dynamic Processor

SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Before turning on the power, please confirm the setting of the line VOLTAGE SELECTOR switch on the rear panel. If it is not set properly, change the setting of it according to the LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH.

NOTE: These operating instructions apply to two versions of the RG-2. The RG-2/S/G model is supplied with the rack mount adaptors as an accessory, while the RG-2/S model is not supplied with it. How to install the rack mount adap- tors is described.

Modern recording uses three dynamic control techniques that may detract from the original dynamic range; reduction of transient peaks, overall compression of loud levels, and upward manipulation of soft levels. The RG-2 will correct dynamic distortion in each of these areas, increasing the contrast and virtually restoring the original live program. To obtain maximum benefit from this unit, please read the following instructions carefully.

FEATURES

Broadens Dynamic Range

The dynamic range of the music source can be expanded by employing the RG-2 as a stereo system adaptor unit. No preprocessing is needed and only ordinary program sources,  such as records, FM broadcasts, or tape music, are required dynamic range is broadened by upward and downward expansion, resulting in a powerful and sharp rendition of the source. This has the effect of bringing performers right into the listening room and especially pulsive sources such as rock and soul are given a broad new dimension.

Preserves Natural Impression

Attack and release characteristics of the audio signal are preserved by a fast and slow response (mixed) double action control signal that prevents unnatural impressions in the reproduced sound.

Noise Reduction Effect

A noise reduction effect is also included which reduces underlying source noise. Tape hiss, motor rumble, and other background noises are reduced by the circuit properties of this unit, so that low noise, exciting stereo sound can be enjoyed.

Faithful Reproduction Function

The sensor section which produces the control signal is provided with an energy distribution filter, to ensure that the expansion function is not triggered by noise components. However, expansion is not limited to instruments, whose fundamental frequency is close to the center frequency of the energy distribution filter, since all musical instruments produce harmonics that are strongest when the instrument is played hard. Hence these harmonics activate the sensing circuit and control the degree of expansion so that lower-frequency instruments are also enhanced.

Design Oriented toward High S/N and Low

Distortion

The gain control amplifier adopts low-noise differential transistors and low-noise ICs for a signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB and a total harmonic distortion of 0.05%. Furthermore, the sensor section is also equipped with low-noise transistors to keep the noise in the control current down to the bare minimum.

5-Stage Dynamic Expansion Selector

The expansion in the dynamic range can be switched in 3dB steps from 4dB to 16dB with this 5-setting selector. By combining the upward and downward expansion, it is possible to produce the optimum expansion in the dynamic range and also to select the expansion according to the music source and your taste.

Dynamic Expansion with Fluroscan Display

Fluroscan is incorporated for the meter which indicates the degree of the dynamic range’s expansion. This new kind of display accurately tracks the processing action and it allows readout of the expansion at each instant in dB.

Smart, Slimly Designed Styling

The processor has been slimly designed with the dynamic expansion meter, which employs a Fluroscan display, inthe center for a clean, fresh look. The height dimension o  the front panel conforms to the EIA* standard 2U size format. Using the optional rack mount adaptors (JA-R104), the processor can be installed in a rack conforming to EIA specifications.

NOTE: The rack mount adaptors are equipped with an S/G model as an accessory.

REAR PANEL FACILITIES

1. PROCESSOR INPUT JACKS
   • Connect these jacks to the TAPE REC jacks on the stereo amplifier or to the PREAMP OUT (OUTPUT) jacks on the preamplifier.
2. PROCESSOR OUTPUT JACKS
   • Connect these jacks to the TAPE PLAY jacks on the stereo amplifier or to the POWER AMP IN (INPUT) jacks on the power amplifier.
3. TAPE REC JACKS
   • Connect these to the INPUT (REC) jacks on the tape deck.
4. TAPE PLAY JACKS
   • Connect these to the OUTPUT (PLAY) jacks on the tape deck.
5. LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH
   • Check that the indication of the switch is the same as your residence before plugging the power cord into the outlet. If it isn’t or if you move to an area where the voltage requirements differ, change the switch setting as follows. Before adjusting, disconnect the power cord.
     1. Prepare a medium-sized screwdriver.
     2. Insert the screwdriver into the arrow on the voltage selector and adjust so that the tip of the arrow points to the voltage value of your area as shown below.
6. AC OUTLET
   • This is an auxiliary power outlet. Connect the power plug of your tape deck or other stereo hi-fi component to this outlet. It is not coupled with the power switch on the model RG-2 (UNSWITCHED). The maximum power- capacity is 100W so do not connect electrical appliances with a power capacity exceeding this value.

INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS

To ensure the best sound quality and trouble-free operation, avoid setting up the RG dynamic processor in any of the locations described below:

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTION DIAGRAM

CONNECTIONS TO STEREO AMPLIFIER

Use the accessory connecting cords to connect the PROCESSOR INPUT and PROCESSOR OUTPUT  jacks on the RG-2 to the TAPE REC and TAPEPLAY jacks on a stereo amplifier (Fig. 1). Take care not to reverse L (left) and R (right) channels, and make sure connections securely.

TAPE DECK CONNECTIONS

Since the RG-2 is connected to the TAPE REC and PLAY jacks of the stereo amplifier, a tape recorder cannot be connected if the stereo amplifier is provided with only one set of tape jacks. In this case, connect the input and output jacks of the tapedeck to the TAPE REC and PLAY jacks of the RG-2.

Connections for recording

Connect the recording input jacks (INPUT) on the tape deck to the TAPE REC jacks on the RG-2.

Connections for playback

Connect the playback output jacks (OUTPUT) on the tape deck to the TAPE PLAY jacks on the RG-2.

FRONT PANEL FACILITIES

• POWER SWITCH
  • Power is supplied to the model RG-2 when this switch is depressed. The power indicator comes on as soon as the power is supplied.
• POWER INDICATOR
  • This comes on as soon as the RG-2’s power switch is set to ON to indicate that power is being supplied.
• DYNAMIC EXPANSION METER
  • This meter allows you to read out the gain boost concerning the input signal in decibels. (See additional description on page 6).
• DYNAMIC EXPANSION INDICATORS
  • The 4dB, 7dB, 10dB, 13dB, and 16dB indicators light up in accordance with the position of the dynamic expansion selector.
• PROCESSOR SWITCH
  • Depress this switch (ON) to produce an expansion effect with the signals fed from the PROCESSOR INPUT jacks. The dynamic expansion indicator will come on, and signals featuring an expansion effect only will be fed out from the model RG-2’s OUTPUT jacks. In the OFF position, the RG-2 circuitry is bypassed. This position allows for instant comparison between the expanded and the un-processed signals.
• TAPE MONITOR INDICATOR
  • This comes on when the tape monitor switch is depressed.
• TAPE MONITOR SWITCH
  • Depress this switch to monitor the sound on the tape as it is being recorded or when playing back a tape using a tape deck connected to the RG-2’s TAPE jacks. (The tapemonitor indicator comes on.) Set the switch to OFF when not in use.
• DYNAMIC EXPANSION SELECTOR
  • This selector selects the maximum gain boost value with respect to the input level, i.e.: the ratio of gain increase between the large input signal and small input signal. Maximum gain boost increases as the selector is turned clockwise. Set the selector to the most desirable position while listening to the reproduced sound. *Dynamic Expansion Dynamic expansion is defined as the sum of the downward expansion (where small inputs are expanded down) and upward expansion (where large inputs are expanded up). For details, refer to “Technical Outline” on page 7.
• INPUT LEVEL CONTROL
  • Use this control to adjust the input level at which the expansion effect is initiated. Clockwise rotation increases the expansion concerning small signal levels increa expansionionn sensitive ity). Adjust the control of the es desi reflect according to the program source.

NOTE:

When the RG-2’s power switch is set to the OFF position and the processor switch is also set to OFF, the signal that has bypassed the processor circuitry is made available at the OUTPUT jacks. There will, however, be no output if the input level control is set to the ‘O’ position. Make sure that this control is set to the ’10’ posi-tion.

OPERATION

PRIOR TO SWITCHING POWER ON

Set the controls and switches to the following positions before operating the model RG-2.

1. Set the dynamic expansion selector to 10.
2. Set the input level control to the center position(5).
3. Set the tape monitor switch to OFF (released).
4. Set the processor switch to OFF (released).
5. Set the tape monitor switch (which is related to the TAPE jacks connecting the RG-2) on the stereo amplifier to ON.

OPERATION PROCEDURE

1. Play the program source on the stereo amplifier, and listen to the sound without the expansion effect.
2. Depress the processor switch (ON).
3. Rotate the input level control and set it so that the indication on the dynamic expansion meter is brought to its widest. For instance, when the dynamic expansion selector is set to the ’10’ position, adjust so that the display indicates up to 10 when a high input signal is fed in (See Fig. 3).
4. Adjust the volume control on the stereo amplifier for a suitable volume.
5. Operate the dynamic expansion selector and set it to the position (4, 7, 10, 13, 16) where the desired expansion is obtained.
6. Adjust the volume and tone controls on the stereo amplifier for the desired volume and tone.

USING A TAPE DECK

By setting the tape monitor switch on the stereo amplifier to ON, and the processor switch on the RG-2 to OFF, the tape monitor switch on the RG-2 can be operated in place of that on the stereo amplifier. The signal at the RG-2 TAPE REC jacks bypasses the processor. When Employing the Processor for Tape Playback

1. Depress the tape monitor switch (ON).
2. Depress the processor switch (ON).
3. Other operations are the same as described in “OPERATION”.

FOR MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT

RG-2 EFFECT ON MUSIC SOURCE

The RG-2 increases the level variations in the music source. High-level and percussive materials such as jazz and rock are best played at the dynamic expansion selector settings of 10, 13, 16dB, while delicate music such as instrumental solos and chamber music can be given an unnatural effect if too much expansion is used, so the 4 to 10dB settings are recommended for this type of program. Other factors such as room acoustics also affect the choice of setting, but with the range of settings provided almost all recorded material will benefit from the unique processing available in this unit.

Changes in the ambience

The RG-2 serves to expand the dynamic range ofthe music source. Whenever there is a difference between the levels of the left and right channel input signals, this difference is expanded. Say, for instance, the difference between the left and right levels is 2dB. This is expanded to 4dB or 6dB. This in turn translates into a change in the ambience of the sound as heard by the listener. With a music source arranged like that in Fig. 3, an interesting effect is obtained whereby the position of the vocalist at the center moves to the left and right along with the fluctuations in the difference between the left channel (bass) and right channel (piano).

METER INTERPRETATION

The meter indicates the instantaneous maximum dynamic expansion amount in dB. Maximum meter deflections are 4, 7, 10, 13, 16dB according to the dynamic expansion selector setting. Partial mixing of L and R channel signals causes both meters to deflect even with only one channel input. However, the separation does not change with stereo reproduction.

RG-2 TECHNICAL OUTLINE

The basic function of the RG-2 is to expand the level variations of the input signal (see Fig. 5: in-put-output transfer characteristics). Due to the ex-pander circuit composition, the input and output circuits are not necessarily linear. The block diagram is shown below. The circuit consists mainly of a flat frequency response gain control amplifier (GCA) and a sensor section that produces the signal to control the gain of the gain control amplifier. After passing through the input level control and buffer amplifier, a portion of the input signal goes to the sensor section. At the sensor section, the signal first passes through an energy distribution filter, which possesses a slope of -6dB/octave above and below a 2.5kHz center frequency. This effectively reduces noise components, such as motor rumble, hum, and tape hiss, yielding only the center frequency component. At the RG detector, a peak detector (ripple canceling type) produces a DC output proportional to the peak values of the AC input signal. The output from this RG detector becomes the gain control signal for the GCA. Current from the sensor section determines the open-loop gain of the gain control amplifier. The gain therefore increases as the control current in creases in accordance with the input signal. Thecharacteristics of this signal undergo changes such as those in Fig. 6: input-gain characteristics. To provide this characteristic, an NFB (negative feedback) circuit returns a portion of the GCA output to the input, and the dynamic expansion selector selects the NFB elements to control the feedback ratio, thereby determining the total gain (Fig. 6). Left and right channels are mixed by a blending re- sistor at the sensor section input, to prevent ex- cessive gain difference between the channels from producing an unnatural effect during stereo play-back.

MOUNTING THE RACK MOUNTING

ADAPTORS (Applicable S/G model only) If you mount the accessory rack mount adapto onto the RG-2, you will be able to install the RG- into a rack designed to meet EIA standards (like the Pioneer JA-RS) with a 2-unit mounting pitch

Mounting Procedure

1. Detach the rubber bushes from both sides of the RG-2.
2. Secure the rack mount adaptors onto the sid panels with the accessory mounting screw (M4x10). (Fig. 8)

Rack Mounting

1. Remove the rubber feet (4) from the RG-2, using a Phillips screwdriver (this is not necessary if you leave a gap between the components).
2. Insert the RG-2 and align with the EIA standard mounting holes (mounting pitch: 2U).
3. Screw the RG-2 into place using the accessory oval countersunk screws (M5x16), angular washers and plastic rings (four of each) and a Phillips screwdriver.

NOTE:

The rack mount adaptors are 3 mm thick. When aligning them with other Pioneer stereo components with a thickness of 5 mm, slide the accessory spacers behind the adaptors and then attach (Fig. 9).

List of Parts for Rack Mount Adaptor

Mounting screws (M4x10); 4, Oval countersunkscrews (M5x16); 4, Angular washers; 4, Plastic rings; 4, Spacers (t: 2mm); 4,

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

NOTE: This circuit is licensed under US Patent No. 3 760 255 and other patents are pending.

MORE INFO

PIONEER ELECTRONIC CORPORATION

• 4-1, Meguro 1-Chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153, Japan
• U.S. PIONEER ELECTRONICS CORPORATION 85 Oxford Drive, Moonachie, New Jersey 07074, U.S. A.
• PIONEER ELECTRONIC (EUROPE) N.V. Luithagen-Haven 9, 2030 Antwerp, Belgium
• PIONEER ELECTRONICS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. 178-184 Boundary Road, Braeside, Victoria 3195, Australia

Documents / Resources

PIONEER RG-2 RG Dynamic Processor [pdf] Instruction Manual RG-2 RG Dynamic Processor, RG-2, RG Dynamic Processor, Dynamic Processor, Processor

References

• User Manual