User Manual
Master Fader and My Fader Reference Guide
129
Chapter 16 : Channel View : Output Compressor / Delay
Introduction
The output compressor / limiter looks and functions similar to that of the channel compressor, except
the output compressor / limiter aects and alters the sound of everything passing through the selected
output.
Compressors are used to reduce or limit transient peaks in a signal. If the signal is too hot, turn it
down, otherwise leave it alone. As the input level to the compressor increases, the output level
increases linearly until the threshold point is reached. After that point, the output level no longer
increases linearly. Instead, it increases at a reduced rate determined by the ratio setting.
With limiters, signals below a specied input level are allowed to pass unaected while attenuating
the peaks of stronger signals that exceed the input levels.
The attack and release controls aect the rate of the gain change; attack aects the rate of the
onset of gain reduction and release aects the recovery rate once the transient has passed.
For stereo linked outputs, the gain reduction is applied equally to both the left and right side.
There are actually two dierent types of output compressor / limiters to choose from on each channel:
the clean, surgical modern output compressor / limiter and classic sounding vintage output compressor /
limiter. That’s right, you can mix and match to heart’s content! We will dissect both the modern and vintage
output compressor / limiter separately, but let’s begin by taking a peek at what features apply to both.
The modern output compressor / limiter is discussed further on pages 131-132, while more information
about the vintage output compressor / limiter may be found on pages 133-134.