3.5

Table Of Contents
95MainStage Effects
Lookahead slider and field: Set the pre-read analysis time for the incoming signal.
The Lookahead slider defines how far into the future of the incoming signal Enveloper
looks, to anticipate upcoming events. You generally do not need to use this feature,
except when processing signals with extremely sensitive transients. If you do raise the
Lookahead value, you may need to adjust the attack time to compensate.
Display: Shows the attack and release curves applied to the signal.
(Attack) Time knob and field: Set the time it takes for the signal to increase from the
threshold level to the maximum Gain level. Attack Time values of around 20ms and
Release Time values of 1500ms are a good starting point.
(Release) Time knob and field: Set the time it takes for the signal to fall from the
maximum gain level to the threshold level.
(Release) Gain slider and field: Boost or attenuate the release phase of the signal. When
the Gain slider is set to the center position—0%—the signal is unaffected.
Out Level slider and field: Set the level of the output signal. Drastic boosting or cutting
of either the release or attack phase may change the overall level of the signal. You can
compensate for this by adjusting the Out Level slider.
MainStage Expander
Expander is similar in concept to a compressor, but increases, rather than reduces, the
dynamic range above the threshold level. You can use Expander to add liveliness and
freshness to your audio signals.
Expander parameters
Input meter: Shows the input signal level.
Expansion meter: Shows the amount of gain (expansion) applied to the signal.
Output meter: Shows the overall output signal level.
Threshold knob and field: Set the threshold level. Signals above this level are expanded.
Ratio knob and field: Set the expansion ratio—the ratio of signal expansion when the
threshold is exceeded.
Note: Because Expander is a genuine upward expander—in contrast to a downward
expander, which increases the dynamic range below the Threshold—the Ratio knob
features a value range of 1:1 to 0.5:1.
Gain knob and field: Set the amount of gain.