SPL TwinTube, User Manual

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37
Analog Elemental Series
DynaMaxx | Technology
Release Time Automation
Again, it is beneficial to look at what happens when the Release time is too short: In this case
the compressor will restore normal gain conditions as soon as the peak has passed, and this
rapid increase in gain is what we call breathing. Breathing is especially annoying during a part
with soft strings or low level layered sounds – whenever a peak comes along, the strings duck
down with it, only to pump up again when the peak is over. Sonically the sound image swims
and pumps while the subjectively perceived loudness remains at a low level.
The DynaMaxx uses a special technique to overcome these problems. First it monitors the
average music level. If a loud transient sound occurs (bass drum, snare and so on) that also
has a big gain step, a very short Release time is set and the signal level is reduced to the calcu-
lated average music level, not to the threshold! If the compressor reduces the level to the
Threshold (which is what standard compressors do), you would again hear pumping effects,
because of the way low-level signals are lifted in gain.
The Release time is controlled depending on the difference between the actual peak and
calculated average signal levels. If a large difference is detected, DynaMaxx will set a faster
Release time, whereas if only a small level difference is detected, DynaMaxx will release more
slowly.
Threshold And Ratio
Threshold and Ratio are both set by the COMPRESSION control; using a low setting for the
COMPRESSION control causes only the peak levels to be compressed because the threshold
is relatively high. For more compression, turning the control clockwise has the effect of
lowering the threshold to include more low-level signals in the processing.
As the threshold is lowered, the ratio is simultaneously increased, and the fully clockwise
position is equivalent to a ratio of around 3:1. However, the threshold and ratio values are
not static, but rather vary depending on the attack and level characteristics of the source
signal. Peak levels are automatically compressed with a higher ratio to maintain control over
maximum signal levels, but still using an unobtrusive soft-knee compression characteristic.