Level adjustment device

A method for attenuating an audio signal comprising:

• entering a first operation mode;
• determining that a first level adjustment value of a level adjustment parameter is within a range of a first switching point, the level adjustment parameter associated with a gain control controlling a gain level of the input channel for the audio signal, the input channel comprising a switchable attenuation pad and an amplifier, wherein the first switching point is at a predetermined level:
• in response to said determining, determining a second switching point, wherein a state of the switchable attenuation pad transitions when the level adjustment parameter has a level adjustment value that reaches or crosses the second switching point, and wherein the separation between the first level adjustment value and the second switching point is greater than the separation between the first level adjustment value and the first switching point, wherein the second switching point is at a level value different from the predetermined level value;
• applying a variable gain level to the amplifier based on the level adjustment parameter and the state of the switchable attenuation pad;
• entering a second operation mode;
• and
• determining a third switching point, wherein the third switching point is at the predetermined level value.

An attenuation system for an audio signal comprising:

• an input channel for receiving an audio signal with a switchable attenuation pad and an amplifier;
• a gain control having a level position for controlling a gain level of the input channel;
• a switch for switching said attenuation pad in and out of an audio signal path,
• an operation mode-switching switch for switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode;
• and
• a controller configurable for:
• switching the attenuation system into the first operational mode in response to a first input at the operation mode-switching switch,
• determining that a first level adjustment value of a level adjustment parameter is within a range of a first switching point, the level adjustment parameter associated with the gain control;
• in response to said determining,
• transitioning a state of the switchable attenuation pad and
• determining a second switching point, wherein the second switching point is based on the state of the switchable attenuation pad after said transitioning, wherein the state of the switchable attenuation pad transitions when the level adjustment parameter has a level adjustment value that reaches or crosses the second switching point, and wherein the separation between the first level adjustment value and the second switching point is greater than the separation between the first level adjustment value and the first switching point;
• applying a variable gain level to the amplifier based on the level adjustment parameter and the state of the switchable attenuation pad and
• switching the attenuation system into the second operation mode in response to a second input at the operation mode-switching switch, wherein the state of the switchable attenuation pad transitions during the second operation mode when the level adjustment parameter has a level adjustment value that reaches or crosses a second operation mode switching point.

An attenuation system for an audio signal comprising:

• an input channel for receiving an audio signal with a switchable attenuation pad and an amplifier;
• a gain control having a level position for controlling a gain level of the input channel;
• a switch for switching said attenuation pad in and out of an audio signal path,
• an operation mode-switching switch for switching between a first operation mode and a second operation mode;
• and
• a controller configurable for:
• switching the attenuation system into the first operational mode in response to a first input at the operation mode-switching switch,
• determining that a first level adjustment value of a level adjustment parameter is within a range of a first switching point, the level adjustment parameter associated with the gain control, wherein the first switching point is at a predetermined level value;
• in response to said determining, determining a second switching point, wherein the state of the switchable attenuation pad transitions when the level adjustment parameter has a level adjustment value that reaches or crosses the second switching point, and wherein the separation between the first level adjustment value and the second switching point is greater than the separation between the first level adjustment value and the first switching point, wherein the second switching point is at a level value different from the predetermined level value;
• switching the attenuation system into the second operation mode in response to a second input at the operation mode-switching switch;
• and
• determining a third switching point, wherein the third switching point is at the predetermined level value.