compander

Table of Contents

  • Overview
  • Parameters
  • Explanation

Overview

The Compander is a combination of a compressor and an expander, which allows you to shape the dynamics of your audio in a very precise manner. The Compander consists of two stages: the compression stage and the expansion stage.

In the compression stage, the input signal is reduced in volume based on the user-specified ratio. This means that the signal level will be reduced by a certain amount when it exceeds the threshold level. The compression ratio determines the amount of reduction.

In the expansion stage, the signal is boosted when it falls below the threshold level. This is useful in bringing out quieter sounds or reducing noise. The ratio determines the amount of boost.

The Compander is very versatile and can be used in a variety of applications, from controlling dynamics in a mix to processing individual instruments.

Parameters

There are 6 parameters on the Compander, with default values, ranges and descriptions listed below:

Threshold: -35 dB (Range -48 dB to -0 dB)
  • The threshold level at which the Compander will begin to compress or expand the signal.
Ratio: 3.5:1 (Range 1:1 to 10:1)
  • The amount of gain reduction or expansion applied to the signal when it exceeds the threshold.
Attack: 150 ms (Range 3 ms to 200 ms)
  • The time it takes for the Compander to respond to incoming signal levels and begin reducing the gain.
Release: 200 ms (Range 10 ms to 500 ms)
  • The time it takes for the Compander to stop reducing the gain after the input signal falls below the threshold.
Make-up Gain: -0 dB (Range -0 dB to -24 dB)
  • The amount of gain added to the output signal after the Compander has processed it.

Explanation

The Compander is a very powerful tool for controlling the dynamics of your audio. To use it effectively, you should start by adjusting the threshold to the level at which you want the Compander to begin processing the signal. As an example, you can try compressing the transients of a drum loop or a similar rhythmic sample. You can then adjust the ratio to determine the amount of gain reduction or expansion applied to the signal when it exceeds the threshold.

The attack and release parameters can be adjusted to fine-tune the response time of the Compander to incoming signal levels. A shorter attack time will result in a more immediate response to signal levels, while a longer release time will allow the gain reduction to taper off more gradually. Fine-tuning these parameters can either create a more transparent compression that will be pushed into the distortion nicely, or a more aggressive pumping effect that will be more apparent once distorted.

Finally, the make-up gain parameter can be used to boost the level of the output signal after it has been processed by the compressor stage of the compander. This is useful to compensate for any gain reduction that may have occurred in the compression stage, or to boost the level of the signal in general.

Overall, the Compander is a powerful tool for controlling dynamics in your audio and can be used in a variety of applications.

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