User Manual

Mastering Modules
OZONE 7 | MASTERING MODULES
72
Vintage Compressor (Advanced only)
Think of the Vintage Compressor as an accurate analog emulation of a compressor that has never
existed before! We’ve combined some of the best elements of vintage analog compressors to create
this algorithm.
The Vintage Compressor is a feedback compressor. A compressor detects the signal level, and
reduces the gain when the signal goes above the threshold. In a feedback compressor, the level
detection is done on the output of the compressor, as opposed to the input. This design is common
for older analog compressors, but very uncommon for digital compressors, which usually use a
feedforward topology. Feedback compression is natural for analog circuits, but dicult to implement
digitally. Due to the feedback, the output of the compressor instantaneously depends on itself, which
computers are not well suited to resolve. Our algorithm uses some sophisticated techniques to solve
this, avoiding a fictitious delay in the feedback loop, for an extremely accurate analog emulation.
The attack and release ballistics are an important part of a compressor’s sound. The release is
program-dependent, meaning that the release time on transients is much faster than it is on periods of
sustained compression, which helps to decrease both pumping and distortion. Another unique feature
of feedback compressors is that the attack and release times can vary depending on how much
compression is occurring.
This algorithm includes a versatile detection filter in the feedback loop. This filters the signal that
is passed into the level detector to change which components of the signal are triggering the
compressor. Some compressors use a highpass filter or a high shelf boost to reduce pumping. Others
have a wide boost in the high frequencies to let high frequency content drive the compressor. The
Vintage Compressor in Ozone includes all of these filters.