ADJUSTING COMPRESSOR SETTINGS
Compressor settings can be modified from the hardware or software in identical ways, as the same controls
are available on either. To edit using the hardware, make sure the correct track is selected. The name of the
currently active track on the hardware (whatever is written in the Track box on that instance of the software,
or Plugin Number X if nothing has been entered) is displayed at the top of the LCD screen. To choose a
different track, press Track select and choose from the list that appears. Note that the available compressor
controls will differ depending on the emulation, e.g. if the vintage original only has Threshold and Ratio then
that is what will be available unless the Free switch is active. Read the Free Switch section for more
information.
The available compressor controls are as follows:
COMPRESSOR ON
The compressor is activated by pressing/clicking the Compressor On button/switch, located in the bottom left
of the software and hardware.
THRESHOLD
The Threshold control sets the level at which compression begins. The lower the threshold, the more the
signal is
compressed. Setting a higher threshold allows quieter passages in the music or speech to remain
unaffected; only passages that exceed the threshold will be compressed. The level of threshold varies
depending on the chosen compressor (unless the Free switch is active), and the exact value is shown in dB
on the LCD screen and directly above the dial in the software GUI.
RATIO
The Ratio control determines the amount of compression applied to the signal with increasing input, and is
the ratio of change in input level compared to change in output level. Higher ratio settings will produce more
noticeable compression, so for the least obtrusive result, the ratio should be set at the minimum necessary
for the application. For example, using low threshold and low ratio will produce a less subjectively noticeable
effect than a high threshold and high ratio, even though the total amount of compression may be the same.
The range of ratios selectable varies depending on the chosen compressor replica, and the exact value is
shown directly above on the display window.
ATTACK
The Attack control determines how quickly compression is applied once the level of the source signal has
risen above the threshold. When turned anti-clockwise the response is very fast, which tends to make the
compressor react to the peak levels of the signal. This is sometimes desirable, but short transients can
cause unwanted ‘pumping’ of steadier low-level signals. A slower attack will cause the compressor to ignore
short transients and respond more to the average loudness of the signal; however this may seem to increase
the relative volume of the transients. The range of attack times selectable varies depending on the chosen
compressor (unless the Free switch is active), and the exact value is shown in milliseconds (ms) on the LCD
screen and directly above the dial in the software GUI.
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