The compressor provides a flexible detector that can be driven from the input signal or a sidechain input. The detector computes the input level of the source signal, using the user specified Attack and Release times to control the responsiveness of gain cell of the compressor. If the detector source signal is the input, the detected signal is the maximum of the detected level of the two individual channels. The gain applied to the stereo signal is the same on both channels.

When the detected level is below the Threshold, the gain cell passes the signal with no change. Conversely, when the detected level is above the Threshold, the signal is attenuated based upon the Ratio, Knee and the level of the signal above the Threshold.

When the Knee is set to 0, MIOComp� acts a hard-threshold compressor. For every dB (x) the signal is above the Threshold, the output signal increase above Threshold by x ÷ Ratio.

When the Knee is set to a value above 0, the knee will be softened, and the effective Ratio will increase gradually from 1 to the specified Ratio. The transition is made more gradual as the Knee is increased from 0 to 1.

After the compressor gain-reduction has been applied to the signal, an additional make-up gain block applies a user specified Makeup Gain to the signal. If the Auto Gain has been enabled, the user specified Makeup Gain is applied in addition to the compressor computed make-up gain.

After the make-up gain has been applied, the output signal is limited to level specified by the Out Ceiling. This output ceiling limiter captures the effects of fast-transient breakthrough and is especially useful when using MIOComp� on highly impulsive signals with large compression ratios.

Enable {Off, On}

Enables the compressor.

Threshold [-100, 0] dB

Sets the threshold at which the compressor begins to act. There will be no gain reduction applied by the compressor when the input signal is below this threshold.

Ratio [1, 100k]

The gain reduction ratio that is applied to the input signal when the signal is above threshold. The actual ratio applied also depends on the knee parameter which can be used to soften the knee and make the applied ratio progressive.

Attack [1μ, 1] s

The characteristic attack time of the application of the gain reduction. Longer attack times will cause MIOComp� to be less responsive to short transients. Short attack times are required to use MIOComp� as a signal limiter, but very short attack times can lead to distortion in the output signal. The attack time is applied in the detector stage of MIOComp�.

Release [1μ, 5] s

The characteristic release time of the application of the gain reduction. Longer release times will cause MIOComp� to be maintain the gain reduction for a longer period of time after transients. Longer release times are appropriate when using MIOComp� as a leveling amp/AGC. Alternatively, shorter release times are appropriate when using MIOComp� to increase the apparent level of impulsive material. Very short release times can lead to distortion in the output signal. The release time is applied in the detector stage of MIOComp�.

Knee [0, 1]

Adjusts the shape of the knee of the compressor as the detector goes above threshold. When knee is set to 0, the transition from no gain reduction to the specified ratio is immediate at the specified threshold. As this parameter is increased, the transition between the 1:1 ratio and the specified ratio is made more and more progressive, thus "softening" the action of the compressor.

Out Ceiling [-60, 0] dB

Sets the maximum output level of the compressor. The output signal is hard-clipped, post compressor, at this signal level.

Makeup Gain [-30, 30] dB

Sets the additional gain applied to the signal post compressor. Is used to raise sub-threshold signal level rather than reduce the super-threshold signal level.

Auto Gain {Off, On}

When enabled, causes the compressor to automatically adjust the makeup gain to keep full-scale input approximately at full-scale on output. This is a huertistic rule, and will likely need to be trimmed by the user using the Makeup Gain.

SC Source {Off, On}

Chooses the detector input source. Select between the input signal, and the sidechain input.

Master Bypass {On, Off}

When enabled, fully bypasses the plugin.