User Manual

Table Of Contents
1. WELCOME ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1. What is a compressor?...................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2. What are the different types of compressors? ................................................................................................ 2
1.3. Where are compressors commonly used?......................................................................................................... 3
1.4. Arturia's secret ingredient: TAE® .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.5. Arturia's approach to Comp VCA-65........................................................................................................................ 0
2. ACTIVATION AND FIRST START.......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1. Activate the Arturia Comp VCA-65 license ........................................................................................................... 6
2.1.1. The Arturia Software Center (ASC).................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3. COMP VCA-65 OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. Working with plug-ins ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
3.2. When to use the Comp VCA-65.................................................................................................................................. 7
3.3. Advanced Mode..................................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.4. Understanding the Comp VCA-65 Signal Flow................................................................................................. 9
3.5. Getting hands-on with Comp VCA-65.................................................................................................................... 11
3.5.1. Compression Basics................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.5.2. More advanced compression methods ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
4. COMP VCA-65 CONTROL PANEL...................................................................................................................... 13
4.1. Channel Configuration (Mono/Stereo) .................................................................................................................. 13
4.2. Main Control Panel ............................................................................................................................................................ 14
4.2.1. Threshold ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
4.2.2. Compression ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16
4.2.3. Attack ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.2.4. Release............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
4.2.5. Auto .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
4.2.6. Output Gain ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
4.2.7. Limiter ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
4.2.8. Mix ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
4.2.9. VU Meter.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
4.2.10. System Bypass ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
4.3. Advanced Mode Control Panel ................................................................................................................................. 23
4.3.1. Advanced Side-Chain Control........................................................................................................................................................................... 23
4.3.2. Side-Chain Equalizer............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
4.3.3. Compression Range............................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
4.3.4. Listen ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28
5. USER INTERFACE ....................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.1. The Upper Toolbar.............................................................................................................................................................. 29
5.1.1. Save..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.1.2. Save As…......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
5.1.3. Import.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.1.4. Export Menu ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.1.5. Resize Window options........................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
5.1.6. Preset Selection........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
5.2. A/B Button .............................................................................................................................................................................. 32
5.3. Advanced Mode (Double Arrow) Button............................................................................................................. 33
5.4. Sound Design Tips ............................................................................................................................................................ 33
5.5. The Lower Toolbar ............................................................................................................................................................ 34
5.5.1. VU Calib........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
5.5.2. Bypass............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 34
5.5.3. CPU meter .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
5.6. The Preset browser.......................................................................................................................................................... 35
5.7. Some Final Words............................................................................................................................................................. 36
6. SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT.................................................................................................................. 37