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Chapter 4 Dynamics processors 85
Compressor parameters
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Circuit Type pop-up menu: Choose the type of circuit emulated by Compressor. The choices are
Platinum, Studio or Vintage VCA or FET, and Vintage Opto.
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Side Chain Detection pop-up menu: Choose the signal type to exceed or fall below the
threshold. Max uses the maximum level of each side-chained signal. Sum uses the summed
level of all side-chained signals.
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If either of the stereo channels exceeds or falls below the threshold, both channels
are compressed.
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If Sum is chosen, the combined level of both channels must exceed the threshold before
compression occurs.
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Gain Reduction meter: Shows the amount of compression in real time.
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Attack knob and eld: Rotate to set the time it takes for Compressor to react when the signal
exceeds the threshold.
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Compression curve display: Shows the compression curve created by the combination of Ratio
and Knee parameter values. The input (level) is shown on the x-axis and output (level) on the
y-axis.
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Release knob and eld: Rotate to set the time it takes for Compressor to stop reducing the
signal after the signal level falls below the threshold.
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Auto button: Turn on to make the release time dynamically adjust to the audio material.
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Ratio slider and eld: Drag to set the compression ratio—the ratio of signal reduction when the
threshold is exceeded.
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Knee slider and eld: Drag to set the strength of compression at levels close to the threshold.
Lower values result in more severe/immediate compression (hard knee). Higher values result in
gentler compression (soft knee).
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Compressor Threshold slider and eld: Drag to set the threshold level—signals above this
threshold value are reduced in level.
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Peak/RMS buttons: Click to determine if signal analysis uses the Peak or RMS method when
using the Platinum circuit type.
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Gain slider and eld: Drag to set the amount of gain applied to the output signal.
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Auto Gain pop-up menu: Choose a value to compensate for volume reductions caused by
compression. The choices are O, 0 dB, and −12 dB.
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Limiter Threshold slider and eld: Drag to set the threshold level for the limiter.
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Limiter button: Turns the integrated limiter on or o.
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Output Distortion pop-up menu (Extended Parameters area): Choose whether to apply clipping
above 0 dB, and the type of clipping. The choices are O, Soft, Hard, and Clip.
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Activity pop-up menu (Extended Parameters area): Turns the side chain on or o.
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Mode pop-up menu (Extended Parameters area): Choose the type of lter used for the side
chain. The choices are LP (lowpass), BP (bandpass), HP (highpass), ParEQ (parametric), and HS
(high shelving).
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Frequency slider and eld (Extended Parameters area): Drag to set the center frequency for the
side-chain lter.
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Q slider and eld (Extended Parameters area): Drag to set the width of the frequency band
aected by the side-chain lter.
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Gain slider and eld (Extended Parameters area): Drag to set the amount of gain applied to the
side-chain signal.
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Mix slider and eld (Extended Parameters area): Drag to set the balance between dry (source)
and wet (eect) signals.