CTAG Dynamic Range Compressor – A VST3/AU Compressor Plugin created with JUCE
Introduction
This is a simple vst3/au compressor plugin that was build with the goal in mind to create a good sounding compressor for a wide variety of signals and applications. The graphical user interface is kept minimalistic in an attempt to improve usability and declutter the screen. The Project was used to further my understanding and knowledge of digital signal processing and digital audio effects.
Features
- Input Gain
- Threshold/Ratio/Knee
- Attack/Release
- Auto Attack/Release
- Makeup Gain
- Auto Makeup Gain
- Mix
- LookAhead (5ms)
- Metering (Input/Output/Gain Reduction)
Manual
General
- Input: The Input knob adjusts the level of the signal before any processing happens. Driving the input signal harder into the compressor can be used as an alternative to lowering the threshold.
- Makeup: The Makeup knob adjusts the level of the output signal after the compression was applied. Generally speaking, compression lowers the output level of a signal by design. This lets you compensate for any loss or gain in volume.
- Mix: The Mix knob enables you to mix between the dry and processed signal. This can be used for parallel processing and enables use-cases like NY-Style drum compression.
- LookAhead: The LookAhead button enables the LookAhead-Mode. If the compressor is used as a limiter (Ratio infinity:1 instant attack time) it will anticipate the incoming peaks and fade in the aggressive gain reductions, thus preventing distortion from happening.
Gain Computer
- Threshold: The Threshold knob adjusts the level above which the com- pressor starts attenuating the input signal. The Input knob alternatively can be used to drive the signal harder into the compressor, resulting in a less low threshold being needed. Be careful to not drive the signal too hard or it’ll start clipping.
- Ratio: The Ratio knob determines how much the signal is attenuated above the chosen threshold. For a ratio of 4:1, one dB remains for every 4dB of input signal above the threshold. At a ratio of 1:1 no compression is happening, as the input is exactly the output. At a ratio of infinity:1 (knob all the way to the right) the compressor is acting as a limiter, meaning that everything above the threshold is completely compressed away.
- Knee: The Knee knob is used to achieve a rounder compression curve. Having a hard knee (knob all the way to the left) means that the compressor will only start working if the input signal is above the threshold and will stop working immediately when it is below. Using a soft knee on the other hand will define a range (knee/2) above and under the threshold, where the compressor will slowly start or stop compressing, resulting in a more gradual and transparent compression.
Ballistics
- Attack: The Attack knob sets the time that determines how fast the compression will set in once the signal exceeds the threshold. Generally speaking you want a rather fast attack time for transient-rich signals like drums to minimize overshoot.
- Release: The Release knob sets the time that determines how fast the compressor will recover from the gain reduction once the signal falls under the threshold. Depending on the input signal, short release times may introduce a pumping effect and/or distortion.
Parameter Automation
- Auto Makeup: The AutoMakeup button enables automatic makeup gain. Based on the average attenuations applied to the input signal. This features tries to keep the input signal and the processed output signal as close as possible in perceived loudness. This is a time-varying effect and may introduce unwanted volume changes to the output signal.
- Auto Attack/Release: The AutoAttack and AutoRelease buttons enable/disable the automation of the time constants. Based on the ratio of peak and rms level of the input signal the compressor can make assumptions about the “transient-richness” of the signal and automate the ballistics accordingly.
Metering
- Input/Output: The Input/Output meter is a “VU-Style” peak meter. Right-most indicator 0dBFS. Left-most indicator -50dBFS.
- Gain Reduction: This is a simple gain reduction meter. Right-most indicator is 0dB gain reduction and therefore no compression. The left-most indicator is -30dB, middle indicator -15dB.
Download
Source and full technical documentation will be available at:
Author
Phillip Lamp 2020