DynaMaxx
10
Dynamic intelligence: Release time automation
How does DynaMaxx adjust the Release time?
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.
D
YNA
M
AXX
uses a special technique to overcome these
problems. First it monitors the average music level. If a loud tran-
sient 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 calculated average music level, not to the thres-
hold! 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, D
YNA
M
AXX
will set a faster Release
time, whereas if only a small level difference is detected,
D
YNA
M
AXX
will release more slowly. The Release time setting is, in
effect, controlled by an RC-based analogue computer that dyna-
mically calculates the various Release times.
Threshold and Ratio
Threshold and Ratio are both set by the COMPRESS control;
using a low setting for the COMPRESS 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 unobstru-
sive soft-knee compression characteristic.
D
YNA
M
AXX
calculates
“Multi-Release-Times“:
• Big and fast Gain changes:
fast Release times
• Small and slow Gain changes:
slow Release times
The D
YNA
M
AXX
doesn’t use static
Threshold and Ratio values –
they vary depending on the
attack and level characteristics
of the source signal.
