CAKEWALK sonar x3, Reference Manual

Page: 1015 / 2094

1015 ProChannel (Producer and Studio only)
20 dB to +40 dB, and the default value is -0.2 dB.
• 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.
• 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 4dB, the
output level of the signal above threshold will only increase by 1dB. 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%.
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.
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.