The Dolby Model 365 is a 2U rack-mountable, two-channel noise reduction processor designed for professional studio applications, including recording, monitoring, and disc cutting. It serves as a dual-channel version of the ubiquitous Model 361, offering a more compact footprint and standardized power connectivity while maintaining full compatibility with vintage Dolby modules.
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The unit acts as a "host" or interface, providing the power supply, input/output connectivity, and switching logic for interchangeable noise reduction cards. This modularity allows the 365 to adapt to different standards, such as Dolby A or Dolby SR, simply by swapping the internal modules.
Technical Specifications:
Channels: Two independent channels in a single 2U chassis.
Connectivity: Transformer-balanced XLR inputs and outputs.
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+/- 1dB).
Dynamic Range: 105dB (clipping level to NAB A-weighted noise).
Distortion: Less than 0.1% THD at 1kHz (+4dBm).
Power: Standard IEC mains connector (unlike the non-standard connectors on earlier 360/361 units).
Compatible Modules:
Cat. No. 22 (Dolby A): The original professional standard, using a 4-band compander to provide 10-15dB of noise reduction.
Cat. No. 280 (Dolby SR): The "Spectral Recording" successor, offering up to 24dB of dynamic range improvement and an "Auto Compare" alignment feature.
Key Features & Operation:
Simultaneous Operation: The two channels can be used independently, allowing for simultaneous record/playback monitoring (one channel encoding, the other decoding).
The "Dolby Trick": Many engineers use the Model 365 with Dolby A cards for vocal enhancement. By using only the encoding stage (and often modifying the card to disable the lower frequency bands), the unit acts as a unique HF enhancer or "vocal stressor".
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Calibration Tools: Features front-panel multi-turn "Cal" potentiometers and a dedicated level meter to establish the "Dolby Level," ensuring perfect tracking between encode and decode cycles.
Auto Compare (SR): When using SR modules, the unit can automatically compare recorded noise against internally generated pink noise to verify the accuracy of the recording chain.