Using the Gap Ambient Sensing Leveler

All versions of the device

1. Verify the placement, working condition and gain staging of all microphones.
2. Make sure the Ambient Sensing Leveler device has been correctly wired, and that there is a NioNode in your project, then deploy it.
3. Open the Ambient Sensing Leveler block.
4. Measure the noise floor on the program input (Pr) using the meter.

   If you are using the Router version of the device, use the P1 input.

5. Start the program material.
6. Set the Gap Thres Level to approximately 10 dB above the noise floor measurement.

   Note: If you set the Gap Threshold Level too high, the program material will leak into the ambient noise sensor.

7. If the audio system is installed in an industrial or public transportation environment, set the Sense RMS Time to 2 seconds.

   If the audio system is installed in a different environment, such as a casino or dining room, set the Sense RMS Time to a value greater than 2 seconds.

8. Next to Gain Update, click Bypass .
9. Switch on the program material (or Pink Noise Generator).
10. Adjust the gain on the Gain device (or Pink Noise Generator) so that there is no detectable ambient noise.
11. Next to Gain Update, click Bypass .

    This switches off bypass, so that the gain controls can now be configured.

12. Using the White Noise Generator, simulate low ambient noise level conditions and adjust the Amb(ient) Thresh(old) Level to the level where the ambient noise begins to affect the intelligibility or perceptibility of the program material.
13. Set the Min(imum) Gain control to amplify the program material to overcome the ambient noise.
14. Mute the program input (either the gain device or the Pink Noise Generator)
15. Use the Meter device and the Amb(ient) level meter on the Ambient Sensing Leveler device to measure the time taken for the program material to decay by at least 10dB below the ambient noise level.
16. Adjust the Sense Delay Time to match the length of time it takes for the program material to decay by at least 10dB below the ambient noise level in the room.
17. Using the White Noise Generator, simulate high ambient noise level conditions and set the Max(imum) Gain control to amplify the program material to overcome the ambient noise at this level.
18. Set the Ratio to reflect the amount of program material gain change (in dB) that you would like the device to apply per dB of ambient noise level change.
19. Adjust the Resp(onse) Time.

    If the ambient levels peak and drop very quickly in your environment, a long response time will ensure that the response time of the device will be more natural.

Additional steps for Gap Ambient Sensing Leveler

1. Under Router, adjust the Thresh Levels to the desired levels.
2. Set the Hyst(eresis).

   This provides a guard band around the router threshold levels in the event of ambient noise hovering around a threshold. A good starting value for Hysteresis is +0.5 dB.

3. Set the Xfade (crossfade) Time.
4. Generate the program material on all router inputs and test the device to ensure it functions correctly.

   The LEDs in between the threshold level controls indicate which router input is currently selected.