DEVICES /DYNAMIC COMPRESSOR
SECTION 05.10
05.10 · DEVICES Dynamics

Dynamic Compressor

CATEGORY
Dynamics

4-band dynamic compressor / dynamic EQ. Each band is a peaking filter that ducks only when the band exceeds its threshold. Useful for de-essing, pick/string-noise reduction, and surgical dynamics control.

Parameters

ParameterRangeDefault
Band 1 EnableOff, OnOn
Band 1 Frequency20 – 20000 Hz225 Hz
Band 1 Q0.5 – 101.4
Band 1 Threshold-60 – 0 dB-24 dB
Band 1 Ratio1 – 204
Band 1 Attack0.1 – 100 ms5 ms
Band 1 Release10 – 1000 ms100 ms
Band 1 Knee0 – 24 dB6 dB
Band 1 Range0 – 24 dB12 dB
Band 2 EnableOff, OnOn
Band 2 Frequency20 – 20000 Hz915 Hz
Band 2 Q0.5 – 101.4
Band 2 Threshold-60 – 0 dB-24 dB
Band 2 Ratio1 – 204
Band 2 Attack0.1 – 100 ms5 ms
Band 2 Release10 – 1000 ms100 ms
Band 2 Knee0 – 24 dB6 dB
Band 2 Range0 – 24 dB12 dB
Band 3 EnableOff, OnOn
Band 3 Frequency20 – 20000 Hz3000 Hz
Band 3 Q0.5 – 102.2
Band 3 Threshold-60 – 0 dB-24 dB
Band 3 Ratio1 – 205
Band 3 Attack0.1 – 100 ms2 ms
Band 3 Release10 – 1000 ms100 ms
Band 3 Knee0 – 24 dB6 dB
Band 3 Range0 – 24 dB12 dB
Band 4 EnableOff, OnOn
Band 4 Frequency20 – 20000 Hz8500 Hz
Band 4 Q0.5 – 102.2
Band 4 Threshold-60 – 0 dB-24 dB
Band 4 Ratio1 – 205
Band 4 Attack0.1 – 100 ms2 ms
Band 4 Release10 – 1000 ms100 ms
Band 4 Knee0 – 24 dB6 dB
Band 4 Range0 – 24 dB12 dB
Detector ModeRMS, PeakPeak
Stereo LinkUnlinked, LinkedLinked
Output Gain-24 – 24 dB0 dB

Overview

Dynamic Compressor is a four band dynamic equalizer. Each enabled band listens around its chosen Frequency and turns that region down only when it exceeds the band’s Threshold. Unlike a conventional multiband compressor, it does not divide the full signal into fixed ranges. This makes it useful for precise deessing, taming pick click or string noise, controlling a resonant note, and reducing low end buildup only on the loudest attacks.

Q controls how wide an area each band affects. Ratio, Attack, Release, and Knee set the compression behavior. Range limits the maximum cut, so a band cannot remove more than the chosen number of decibels. Output Gain trims the complete result. Peak Detector Mode catches short events, while RMS responds more smoothly. Linked Stereo Link keeps the image stable; Unlinked lets each channel react on its own.

Tips

  • Work on one band at a time. Disable the others, find the problem frequency, then lower Threshold until only the unwanted moments trigger reduction.
  • For pick or string noise, try 3 to 5 kHz, a Q around 2, fast Attack, and a Range of 3 to 6 dB.
  • For harsh upper harmonics, try 7 to 10 kHz with a moderate Q and Release near 100 ms.
  • For a boomy note, use a narrower Q at its frequency and a modest Range. Excessive Ratio and Range can make the correction obvious.
  • Use Linked mode for stereo material. Compare with bypass at matched level, and use Output Gain only after all active bands are set.
NOTICE

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