Specifications

Audio Plug-Ins Guide112
Before the introduction of digital technology in
the studio, compressors were typically designed
around a set of analog components. Various
compressor circuit designs are known for their
distinctive sound and characteristics. Popular
analog compressors are often designed around
optical isolator, VCA (voltage controlled ampli-
fier), or FET (field effect transistor) based cir-
cuits that produce the compression effect.
TL Aggro
TL Aggro implements a unique compressor to-
pology based on a traditional analog FET design,
with several updates for the digital age.
The following figure shows the different mod-
ules of TL Aggro and how they interact with the
audio signal.
TL Aggro uses a reverse feedback system com-
mon to many analog compressors. In essence,
this means that the compressor is not compress-
ing the input signal but rather analyzing and
compressing the already compressed output sig-
nal. Sound weird? It is. Reverse-feedback is a
strange and paradoxical concept. It can lead to
strange and chaotic behavior if not well-tamed.
In fact, at least one well known and popular
hardware compressor that uses a reverse feed-
Back topology becomes marginally unstable at
extreme compression settings. Despite this
sometimes unpredictable behavior, the reverse
feedBack model produces a desirable and unique
compression sound.
TL Aggro adds modern digital conveniences to
the reverse feedBack model. Precise bass com-
pensation provides for improved tracking of
bass heavy instruments or a complete stereo
mix. TL Aggro provides linked stereo operation
to preserve stereo imaging as well as full side-
chain support. A tube drive module adds addi-
tional tube-style distortion if desired.
TL Aggro uses a program dependent release
which provides more natural sounding com-
pression. In essence, the program dependent re-
lease works to slow down the release time of
compressor so that it more smoothly rides the
average loudness of the audio material.
The most unique feature of TL Aggro is its
Threshold control. Most reverse-feedback com-
pressors do not implement a Threshold control
typical to non-FET compressors. Instead, they
provide an input control that increases the
amount of compression as the unit is driven
harder. However, an input control adjustment is
often less intuitive than a Threshold control.
Implementing a Threshold control into the op-
eration of TL Aggro has two specific side-ef-
fects. At the extreme setting of a high threshold,
high ratio, fast attack, and a slow release,
TL Aggro can overshoot in compression and be-
come “sticky” with a high gain reduction. Soni-
cally, this sounds like “pops” in the output sig-
nal. In more technical terms, TL Aggro is
becoming marginally unstable. In this scenario
you can alleviate the problem by doing one or
more of the following:
• Lower the Threshold
• Reduce the Ratio
• Reduce the Attack
• Increase the Release
TL Aggro signal flow, processing, and controls