Manual

RELEASE: Somewhat similar to the ATTACK knob, the RELEASE knob determines how quickly the
compressor stops altering the signal when the signal’s level falls below the compression
threshold. The release time should be adjusted by ear to suit the material. If the release time is
too short, you’ll hear audible “pumping” as the signal level is brought up and down by the
compressor. On the other hand, audible pumping is exactly why compressors are used in
certain musical styles.
SENSITIVITY: The SENSITIVITY knob knob sets the signal level or threshold at which the compressor
begins affecting the signal. Rotating the knob to the right lowers the threshold, causing the
compressor to have a greater effect on the signal (assuming that the ratio is set to something
higher than 1:1). If the SENSITIVITY knob is set to its lowest value, the compressor will affect
only the loudest signals.
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MAKEUP: The MAKEUP knob is a gain control that comes after the compressor itself. Since the
compressor reduces the overall level of the signal by lowering its loudest parts, the MAKEUP
knob can be used to raise the overall level of the signal. This is how a compressor increases the
apparent loudness of a signal: the dynamic range (i.e. the different between the loud parts and
the quiet parts) is first reduced by compression, making the quiet parts louder relative to the
loud parts, and then the entire signal is made louder by the amount set by the makeup gain
Master Controls
The area at the right side of Rough Rider Pro’s window contains controls which affect the plug-in’s overall
operation. The INPUT and OUTPUT level knobs provide overall gain control of the signals entering and leaving
the plug-in. Turning the knobs clockwise increases the amplitude of the signals. The INPUT knob has a range
of -40 to +6dB; the OUTPUT knob has a range of -60 to +6dB. The INPUT knob affects the signal before it
passes through the isolator, and is mostly useful for increasing the level of quiet material. The output knob
controls the level of the signal after it passes through the compressors. Use the output knob to adjust the
overall level of the plug-in.
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Traditionally, compressors have a knob labeled “Threshold” which operates in the opposite direction, i.e. turning the knob
anti-clockwise lowers the threshold. We named Rough Rider Pro’s knob “Sensitivity” and configured it so that rotating it
clockwise increases the effect of the compressor since virtually every other knob you’ll find increases something when you
rotate it clockwise.