The present invention provides an audio processing unit having a microchip for processing an inputted audio signal. The microchip operates by duplicating the inputted audio signal, splitting the duplicated signal into at least two exact duplicates of the original inputted signal, layering the signals, processing the layers, and recombining the layers to provide an enhanced or processed audio signal. Thereafter, the processed audio file may be further processed by a user by utilizing any number of knobs, buttons, and the like disposed on the unit. Preferably, the unit is mountable on an open-frame rack.

The present invention provides an audio processing unit having a microchip for processing an inputted audio signal. The microchip operates by duplicating the inputted audio signal, splitting the duplicated signal into at least two exact duplicates of the original inputted signal, layering the signals, processing the layers, and recombining the layers to provide an enhanced or processed audio signal. Thereafter, the processed audio file may be further processed by a user by utilizing any number of knobs, buttons, and the like disposed on the unit. Preferably, the unit is mountable on an open-frame rack.

An audio device includes: a processor configured to perform signal processing on the sound signal according to a value of a parameter; a display; a plurality of operating elements; a controller configured to: change the value of the parameter in accordance with an operation performed through any one of the plurality of operating elements; cause the display to display the value of the parameter; and write the value of the parameter in the current memory; and a detector. The controller is configured to: execute a first routine, which is uninterruptable by another routine, when the detector detects the malfunction; and cause, in the first routine, the display to display a first message without newly storing the value of the parameter; and mute, in the first routine, the processed signal in accordance with an operation performed through any one of the plurality of operating elements.

An audio device includes: a processor configured to perform signal processing on the sound signal according to a value of a parameter; a display; a plurality of operating elements; a controller configured to: change the value of the parameter in accordance with an operation performed through any one of the plurality of operating elements; cause the display to display the value of the parameter; and write the value of the parameter in the current memory; and a detector. The controller is configured to: execute a first routine, which is uninterruptable by another routine, when the detector detects the malfunction; and cause, in the first routine, the display to display a first message without newly storing the value of the parameter; and mute, in the first routine, the processed signal in accordance with an operation performed through any one of the plurality of operating elements.

An audio apparatus includes a signal processor, a power amplifier, a speaker, and a controller. A current consumption prediction unit in the controller predicts current consumption on the basis of a monitoring result of an output level monitoring unit in the signal processor and/or a monitoring result of a power supply voltage monitoring unit in the controller. A limiter control unit in the controller controls a limiter in the signal processor in a normal mode or a current limiting mode on the basis of predicted current consumption. In the current limiting mode, the limiter is controlled so that an attenuation speed higher than that in the normal mode and a threshold value smaller than that in the normal mode are obtained.

An audio apparatus includes a signal processor, a power amplifier, a speaker, and a controller. A current consumption prediction unit in the controller predicts current consumption on the basis of a monitoring result of an output level monitoring unit in the signal processor and/or a monitoring result of a power supply voltage monitoring unit in the controller. A limiter control unit in the controller controls a limiter in the signal processor in a normal mode or a current limiting mode on the basis of predicted current consumption. In the current limiting mode, the limiter is controlled so that an attenuation speed higher than that in the normal mode and a threshold value smaller than that in the normal mode are obtained.

A fast response time, self-activating, adjustable threshold limiter including a limiting element LE, a first coupling element CE.sub.1 electrically connected from a signal node of LE to a control input of LE, and a second coupling element CE.sub.2 electrically connected from the control input of LE to a nominal node of LE. An initial bias (control) voltage is also supplied to the control input of LE to dynamically control the limiting threshold for the limiter. Embodiments include usage of self-activating adjustable power limiters in combination with series switch components in a switch circuit in lieu of conventional shunt switches.

A fast response time, self-activating, adjustable threshold limiter including a limiting element LE, a first coupling element CE.sub.1 electrically connected from a signal node of LE to a control input of LE, and a second coupling element CE.sub.2 electrically connected from the control input of LE to a nominal node of LE. An initial bias (control) voltage is also supplied to the control input of LE to dynamically control the limiting threshold for the limiter. Embodiments include usage of self-activating adjustable power limiters in combination with series switch components in a switch circuit in lieu of conventional shunt switches.

Methods and systems are provided for gain control in circuits. Gain applied in a circuit may be set to a baseline set gain. A first baseline parameter, associated with a first feature of a particular pattern of a signal at said baseline set gain, and a second baseline parameter, associated with a second feature of said particular pattern of the signal at said baseline set gain, may be determined. The gain is then set a current set gain, and a gain compression ratio may be determined based on one or more of said first baseline parameter, said second baseline parameter, a first current parameter associated with said first feature of at said current set gain, and a second current parameter associated with said second feature at said current set gain. Said current set gain may then be adjusted until said gain compression ratio reaches a predefined limit.

An analog front-end (AFE) circuit has at least one AFE stage to generate a conditioned analog signal, and a gain control block to set a gain of the AFE stages. A finite state machine (FSM) block sets the gain to a baseline set gain without gain compression, or a current set gain with gain compression. An amplitude block determines amplitudes of the inner and outer eyes of a signal eye of the conditioned analog signal at the baseline set gain and the current set gain. A compression calculation block determines a gain compression of the conditioned analog signal at the current signal gain based on the relative changes in the respective amplitudes of the inner and outer signal eyes between the baseline and current set gains. The FSM block increases the current set gain until the gain compression ratio reaches a predefined limit.