Compressor
Square ONE Dynamics 25
Hard knee and soft knee
The point where the slope of the compressor curve changes is knows as the knee. The Square ONE Dynamics
can be set to operate as either a hard knee or soft knee compressor (each one being either vintage or RMS);
the effects of both can be seen in Figure 13 “Hard knee and soft knee graphs”.
In hard knee mode the compressor operates as soon as the input signal reaches threshold level, imposing the
new ratio - selected via the RATIO control knob - on the signal. This mode is useful as a brick wall limiter,
which stops transients without affecting the lower level signals. It can also be used at lower ratio levels so
that the compression slope is not too narrow and none of the compressive punch is lost.
Figure 13: Hard knee and soft knee graphs
Soft knee compression gives a more gradual transition between up to ratio change over at threshold. The
ratio value of signals approaching threshold increase exponentially in proportion to the input signal level. At
threshold the ratio level becomes that selected via the RATIO control knob. Soft knee is useful on high-ratio
compression or limiting, as it less obtrusive than hard knee.
The difference in the effect produced by hard knee and soft knee compression is more noticeable at higher
ratios.
Side chains
Each channel of the Square ONE Dynamics has a side chain input for the compressor. In normal use, the
amount of compression or expansion is related to the dynamics of the input signal. The side chain allows the
signal passing through the unit to be controlled by the dynamics of another separate signal.
Connection to the side chain input is made via the rear panel jack sockets, see “Connecting the audio cables”
on page 8.
Increasing input signal level
1:1
10:1
Hard knee Soft knee
10:1
Increasing input signal level
1:1
Threshold Threshold
Output signal
Output signal
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