PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor module

Figure 479. PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor.

A. Clipping LED B. Compressor enable/disable C. VU meter D. Release E. Output level F. Dry/Wet level G. Attack H. Input level I. Ratio

This is the default compressor module when using ProChannel on a track. This module is meticulously modelled after one of the most renowned and famous solid-state (F.E.T.) compressors that is used in professional studios and recordings. Known to bring out the brightness and presence of a sound. Commonly used on vocal tracks, but also recommended for stereo drum buses and guitar tracks.

Note: The PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor is faithfully modelled after the hardware circuitry of a classic compressor that does not support sidechaining. Consequently, the PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor does not support sidechaining either. If you need to use sidechaining, use the PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor mode.

The PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor module contains the following controls:

Clipping LED. Shows if the input signal to the Compressor module is clipping. If there is any distortion in the ProChannel signal chain, the clipping LEDs let you identify where the clipping occurs.

Compressor enable/disable . Enables/disables the PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor module.

VU meter.  Shows the amount of gain reduction.

Input. Determines the relative threshold and total amount of gain reduction. The valid range is -20 dB to +40 dB, and the default value is -0.2 dB.

Tip: The PC76 U-Type Channel Compressor does not have a dedicated threshold control, but instead has a fixed threshold level and uses the Input control to determine the relative threshold as well as the total amount of gain reduction. To set a specific amount of compression, first turn the Input and Output controls all the way down, adjust the Attack control in order to engage gain reduction, then finally adjust the Input control until the desired amount of gain reduction is achieved.

Attack. Adjusts the time it takes the compressor to respond to the input signal after the threshold level has been reached. A fast attack setting means that compression will be more or less instant. Using a slower attack setting results in the compression being gradually increased, allowing for more variations in the signal than the fast setting. Attack should be adjusted according to the nature of the audio material. The valid range is 0.0 to 1.2 milliseconds, and the default value is 0.4 milliseconds.

Release. Adjusts the time the compressor takes to go back to an inactive state after the input level has fallen below the threshold value. Short release times will make the compression more flexible and able to adapt to the input signal, but can cause fast changes in gain that may sound displeasing to the ears. Longer release times produce a signal with a more even level and less of a “pumping” effect, but make it harder to maximize the overall compression because changes in the input level cannot be compensated for quickly enough to make the output volume totally consistent. The valid range is 50.0 milliseconds to 1200 milliseconds, and the default value is 510 milliseconds.

Output. Applies a final gain adjustment to the post-compression audio signal. The valid range is -40.0 dB to +20.0 dB, and the default value is -0.4 dB.

Note: The Output control essentially functions as a makeup gain control. Use the Input control to set the desired amount of limiting, then use the Output control to set the desired output level.

Ratio. Controls the amount of compression (gain reduction) that will be applied to the signal after the input audio level exceeds the threshold level. Ratio denotes the difference in dB between input level and output level, i.e. how much the signal above the threshold level will be compressed. For example, a ratio of 4:1 means that when the input level increases by 4 dB, the output level of the signal above threshold will only increase by 1 dB. The following ratios are available:

4. Use when general dynamic range compression is desired.

8. Use when general dynamic range compression is desired.

12. Use when peak-limiting is desired.

20. Use when peak-limiting is desired.

Nuke. Same effect as if all other ratio buttons are enabled simultaneously. The result is extreme compression, which is often used for drum recordings.

Dry/Wet. Adjust the balance between the unprocessed (dry) and processed (wet) audio signal. The valid range is 0 to 100% and the default value is 100%.

 

See:

ProChannel

Using ProChannel

ProChannel modules and controls

PC4K S-Type Bus Compressor module

QuadCurve Equalizer module

Tube Saturation module

PC2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier

Softube Saturation Knob

Console Emulator module

FX Chain module

Tape Emulator module

REmatrix Solo convolution reverb

GRIT (saturation) module

MAX (volume maximizer) module

SPACE (reverb/ambience) module