Compressor Component

The purpose of the Compressor is to control the dynamic range of the Output above a set Threshold Level.

The Compressor can be adjusted from unity (1:1) with the Input, to an almost flat (100:1 - very little amplitude variation) Output. Using the Depth control, you can control the point at which compression stops increasing, even though the Input level continues to increase.

The control settings for the Compressor Component affect all the Input Channels based on calculations made using the highest Input level. If you want to separately control the compression for multiple Channels, simply add more Compression Components.

Controls

Response Panel and Detector

Control	Function	Default/Range
In Gain (dB)	The Input Gain adds to the level of the Input source.	Default = 0 Range -20 to 20
Detector (dB)	Graphically and numerically displays the RMS level of the Input.	-100 to 20
Response Panel	Graphically represents the Gain Calculations for the Channel having the highest Input RMS level. X axis represents the Input Y axis represents the Output The red dot represents the Output Level. Below the Threshold Level the Output is equal to the Input, above the Threshold level it is adjusted by the Compressor.	X axis -60 to 20 Y axis -60 to 20
Bypass	Bypasses the Compressor functionality.	Off/On
Applied Gain (dB)	Graphically and numerically displays the amount of Gain applied to the Channel with the highest RMS Input level. The same amount of Gain, calculated based on the highest Channel, is applied to all other channels that are above the Threshold Level regardless of their relation to the Target Level. Graphically the meter starts in the middle, displaying attenuation in red going down from center, and gain in green going up from center.	-60 to 20
Out Gain (dB)	Controls the output level.	-20 to 20

Gain Calculations

Control Name	Function	Range / Values
Threshold Level (dBFS)	Sets the level where compression begins. This is the point from which the amount of attenuation is calculated based on the Ratio setting. Assuming only one Input, a level below the Threshold Level is not compressed, anything above the Threshold Level attenuation is applied. Example: If the Threshold Level is -15 dB Ratio is 2.5 Input level is 10 dB Adjusted Output is (((Input level - Target Level) / Ratio) + Target Level) = Output Level ((10 dB - (-15 dB) / 2.5) + (-15 dB)) = -5 dB	Default = -20 Range = -60 to 20
Ratio ( n:1)	The ratio between the Input and the Output as measured from the Threshold Level. The closer the Ratio is to 100, the smaller dynamic changes in the Output level. As the Ratio is adjusted closer to 1, the dynamic range of the Output increases.	Default = 4 Range = 1.0 to 100
Depth (dB)	Sets the maximum amount of attenuation applied to the Input. As the Input increases, the Compressor applies more attenuation based on the Ratio setting. When the amount of attenuation applied reaches the Depth setting, no more attenuation is added.	Default = 20 Range = 0 to 60
Soft Knee (dB)	Provides a smooth transition, in the Output, from the uncompressed level to the compressed level. The Soft Knee slowly adds attenuation, as the Input increases, until the attenuation added by the Soft Knee is equal to the attenuation added by the Ratio setting.	Default = 0 Range = 0 to 24

Control Name

Function

Range / Values

Threshold Level

(dBFS)

Sets the level where compression begins. This is the point from which the amount of attenuation is calculated based on the Ratio setting.

Assuming only one Input, a level below the Threshold Level is not compressed, anything above the Threshold Level attenuation is applied.

Example: If the

Threshold Level is -15 dB
Ratio is 2.5
Input level is 10 dB
Adjusted Output is
(((Input level - Target Level) / Ratio) + Target Level) = Output Level
((10 dB - (-15 dB) / 2.5) + (-15 dB)) = -5 dB

Default = -20

Range = -60 to 20

Ratio

( n:1)

The ratio between the Input and the Output as measured from the Threshold Level.

The closer the Ratio is to 100, the smaller dynamic changes in the Output level. As the Ratio is adjusted closer to 1, the dynamic range of the Output increases.

Default = 4

Range = 1.0 to 100

Depth

(dB)

Sets the maximum amount of attenuation applied to the Input.

As the Input increases, the Compressor applies more attenuation based on the Ratio setting. When the amount of attenuation applied reaches the Depth setting, no more attenuation is added.

Default = 20

Range = 0 to 60

Soft Knee

(dB)

Provides a smooth transition, in the Output, from the uncompressed level to the compressed level.

The Soft Knee slowly adds attenuation, as the Input increases, until the attenuation added by the Soft Knee is equal to the attenuation added by the Ratio setting.

Default = 0

Range = 0 to 24

Time Constants and Gain Meter

The time constant is the time it takes to cover 63% of the control change. For Attack, the start gain is 1.0 (unity) and the end gain is 0. After 10 seconds, the value is at 1-0.63 = 0.37, which corresponds to -8.7 dB. For Release, the start gain is 0 and the end gain is 1.0 (unity). After 10 seconds, the value is at 0.63 which corresponds to -4 dB. Depth is ignored in this calculation, it simply limits the filtered gain to a minimum.

Control Name	Function	Range / Values
Attack Time (seconds)	Sets the time it takes for the Input to drop to 63% of the Depth level. A long Attack Time causes the Output to stay closer to unity with the Input as the Input increases, then slowly drop to the desired Output level. A fast Attack Time causes the Output to get to the desired level faster without getting as close to unity with the Input.	Default = 20ms Range = 0.0001 to 0.1
Release Time (seconds)	Sets the time it takes for the Output to reach 63% of the Threshold Level. This prevents the Output from dropping to quickly when the Input drops. Provides a smoother transition from a high Output to a lower Output.	Default = 0.1 Range = 0.01 to 10
Detector Time (seconds)	Available only when Detector Time Property is set to Use Control. Sets the time it takes for the Detector level to reach 63% of a change in the Input signal. This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.	Default = 20ms Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Control Name

Function

Range / Values

Attack Time

(seconds)

Sets the time it takes for the Input to drop to 63% of the Depth level.

A long Attack Time causes the Output to stay closer to unity with the Input as the Input increases, then slowly drop to the desired Output level. A fast Attack Time causes the Output to get to the desired level faster without getting as close to unity with the Input.

Default = 20ms

Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Release Time

(seconds)

Sets the time it takes for the Output to reach 63% of the Threshold Level.

This prevents the Output from dropping to quickly when the Input drops. Provides a smoother transition from a high Output to a lower Output.

Default = 0.1

Range = 0.01 to 10

Detector Time

(seconds)

Available only when Detector Time Property is set to Use Control.

Sets the time it takes for the Detector level to reach 63% of a change in the Input signal.

This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.

Default = 20ms

Range = 0.0001 to 0.1

Properties

Compressor Properties

Property	Function	Choices
Side Chain Input	Provides one Side Chain input per Channel. The Side Chain allows you to filter a signal before using it to control the dynamic range of the unfiltered Inputs. In Gain is always applied to the Side Chain input signal, regardless of the state of Bypass. NOTE: If you select Side Chain Input = Yes, and don't use the Side Chain Inputs, you will not have any compression control.	Yes / No
Detector Time	Sets one of three pre-set times, or enables the Detector Time control in the Control Panel. If one of the three pre-set times is chosen, the control is not available in the Control Panel. Sets the time it takes for the Detector level to reach 63% of a change in the Input signal. This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.	Use Control 10ms 20ms 50ms
Bypass Gain Meter	When set to Active, the Applied Gain meter is active regardless of the state of the Bypass button. This means you can adjust the Compressor in Bypass mode. When set to Inactive, the Applied Gain meter is inactive to indicate that the component is in Bypass mode.	Active Inactive

Property

Function

Choices

Side Chain Input

Provides one Side Chain input per Channel. The Side Chain allows you to filter a signal before using it to control the dynamic range of the unfiltered Inputs.

In Gain is always applied to the Side Chain input signal, regardless of the state of Bypass.

NOTE: If you select Side Chain Input = Yes, and don't use the Side Chain Inputs, you will not have any compression control.

Yes / No

Detector Time

Sets one of three pre-set times, or enables the Detector Time control in the Control Panel. If one of the three pre-set times is chosen, the control is not available in the Control Panel.

Sets the time it takes for the Detector level to reach 63% of a change in the Input signal.

This adjustment is to prevent changes (spikes, low frequency signals) in the input from causing unwanted, momentary output.

Use Control

10ms

20ms

50ms

Bypass Gain Meter

When set to Active, the Applied Gain meter is active regardless of the state of the Bypass button. This means you can adjust the Compressor in Bypass mode.

When set to Inactive, the Applied Gain meter is inactive to indicate that the component is in Bypass mode.

Active

Inactive

Channels

Property	Function	Choices
Type	Sets the type of Channel available for Inputs and Outputs.	Mono Stereo Multi-Channel
Count	Sets the number of Channels for Multi-channel.	2 to 256

Property

Function

Choices

Type

Sets the type of Channel available for Inputs and Outputs.

Mono

Stereo

Multi-Channel

Count

Sets the number of Channels for Multi-channel.

2 to 256

Control Pins

The available Control Pins depend on settings in Properties.

Pin Name	Value	String	Position	Pins Available
Applied Gain	-20 to 20	-20 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Output
Attack Time	0.0001 to 100	.100 ms to 100 ms	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Bypass	0 1	active bypass	0 1	Input / Output
Depth	0 to 60	0 dB to 60 dB	0.000 1.000	Input / Output
Detector Level	-100 to 20	-100 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Output
Detector Time	0.0001 to 100	.100 ms to 100 ms	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Input Gain	-20.0 to 20.0	-20.0 dB to 20.0 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Output Gain	-20.0 to 20.0	-20.0 dB to 20.0 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Ratio	1.00 to 100	1.00 to 100	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Release Time	0.010 to 10	10.0 ms to 10 s	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Soft Knee	0 to 24.0	0 dB to 24 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output
Threshold Level	-60 to 20	-60 dB to 20 dB	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output