Compressor Analysis

Figure out the attack and release characteristics of your digital compressors

Compressor example with 0 ms attack time, 5 ms release time, ratio 8:1

compressor-test-signals-01.png

Compressor example with 98 ms attack, 5 ms release, ratio 4:1

compressor-test-signals-02.png

Reaper has a great tool for analyzing compressor response characteristics. This tool can be helpful to understand how the compressor responds, especially when you are looking for a fast or slow compressor. However, use your ears when choosing the right compressor for your application.

Basic Setup

In a channel strip insert in the following FX order

JS-compscope_src-setup.png

1: JS: compscope_src, folow the instructions provided in the interface

JS-compscope_src.png

2: Insert the compressor you want to analyse

NI-Solid-Bus-Comp-01-p.png

3: Insert the JS: compscope analyser after the compressor and run the test from compscope_src

JS-compscope-NI-Solid-Bus-Comp-01-a.png

Native Instruments SOLID BUS COMP

Check how fast the attack response is (fast attack and release)

NI-Solid-Bus-Comp-02-p.png

Response characteristics. The upper section shows how "fast" the compressor kicks in

JS-compscope-NI-Solid-Bus-Comp-02-a.png

Waves C1 Compressor

Fast attack and 20 ms release

C1-p.png

Response characteristics. With these settings you can really see how the compressor holds the signal in the two lower sections

JS-compscope-C1-a.png

Please note, even though this might look good, I find this compressor breaks up when using a fast attack time

Waves RCompressor

Fast attack and release (manual)

RComp-01-p.png

Response characteristics. With these settings you can really see how the compressor holds the signal in the two lower sections

JS-compscope-RComp-01-a.png

Waves CLA-2A

Default settings

CLA-2A-p.png

Response characteristics

JS-compscope-CLA-2A-a.png

Waves CLA-3A

Default settings

CLA-3A-p.png

Response characteristics

JS-compscope-CLA-3A-a.png

Waves CLA-76

Default settings, blacky

CLA-76-blacky-p.png

Response characteristics

JS-compscope-CLA-76-blacky-a.png

Default settings, bluey

CLA-76-bluey-p.png

Response characteristics

JS-compscope-CLA-76-bluey-a.png

Waves H-Comp

Default settings

HCOMP-01-p.png

Response characteristics. The upper section shows how "fast" the compressor kicks in

JS-compscope-HCOMP-01-a.png

Fast attack and release (manual)

HCOMP-02-p.png

Response characteristics. The upper section shows how "fast" the compressor kicks in

JS-compscope-HCOMP-02-a.png

Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Feedback Compressor II

Fast attack and release

TDR-Feedlback-Compressor-II-01-p.png

Response characteristics.

JS-compscope-TDR-Feedlback-Compressor-II-01-a.png

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