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Chapter 4 Dynamics processors 92
Expander
Expander is similar in concept to a compressor, but increases, rather than reduces, the dynamic
range above the threshold level. You can use Expander to add liveliness and freshness to your
audio signals.
Expander parameters
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Threshold slider and eld: Drag to set the threshold level. Signals above this level are expanded.
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Peak/RMS buttons: Click to determine whether the Peak or RMS method is used to analyze
the signal.
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Attack knob and eld: Rotate to set the time it takes for Expander to respond to signals that
exceed the threshold level.
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Expansion display: Shows the expansion curve applied to the signal.
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Release knob and eld: Rotate to set the time it takes for Expander to stop processing the signal
after it falls below the threshold level.
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Ratio slider and eld: Drag to set the expansion ratio—the ratio of signal expansion when the
threshold is exceeded.
Note: Because Expander is a genuine upward expander—in contrast to a downward expander,
which increases the dynamic range below the Threshold—the Ratio slider features a value
range of 1:1 to 0.5:1.
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Knee slider and eld: Drag to determine the strength of expansion at levels close to the
threshold. Lower values result in more severe or immediate expansion—hard knee. Higher
values result in a gentler expansion—soft knee.
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Gain slider and eld: Drag to set the amount of output gain.
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Auto Gain button: Turn on to compensate for the level increase caused by expansion. When
Auto Gain is active, the signal sounds softer, even when the peak level remains the same.
Note: If you dramatically change the dynamics of a signal (with extreme Threshold and Ratio
values), you may need to reduce the Gain slider level to avoid distortion. In most cases, turning
on Auto Gain adjusts the signal appropriately.