Overview
80s Compressor is an individual effect included with 80s Suite and extracted from the 80s Rack compressor block. It includes input, gain-reduction, and output metering, plus a compact main panel and a default-closed Advanced panel.
Use it for leveling, sustain, transient control, or parallel compression. The advanced controls add attack/release shaping, curve selection, wet/dry mix, and optional VCA character drive.
Formats
80s Compressor is included as Universal 2 VST3, AU, and AAX on macOS 14 or later. The Windows 80s Suite 1.0.2 release includes native x64 VST3 and AAX.
Quick Start
- Insert 80s Compressor before time effects or on the track you want to level.
- Leave BYPASS off.
- Lower THRESHOLD until the gain-reduction meter moves on peaks.
- Set RATIO for the amount of compression.
- Use MAKEUP to restore level after compression.
- Open Advanced when you need ATTACK, RELEASE, MIX, CURVE, CHAR, or CHAR DRIVE.
Controls Table
| Control | Range / Choices | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| BYPASS | Off / On | Bypasses the compressor processor and extinguishes its meters. |
| THRESHOLD | -60-0 dB. Default: -30 dB | Sets the level where compression begins. Double-click returns to -30 dB. |
| KNEE | HARD, SOFT. Default: SOFT | Sets how abruptly compression starts around the threshold. |
| RATIO | 1:1-20:1. Default: 8:1 | Sets how strongly signal above threshold is reduced. |
| MAKEUP | -12-24 dB. Default: 0 dB | Adds output gain after compression. |
| ATTACK | 0.1-100 ms. Default: 5 ms | Sets how quickly compression clamps down after signal crosses threshold. |
| RELEASE | 5-800 ms. Default: 80 ms | Sets how quickly gain reduction recovers. |
| MIX | 0-100%. Default: 100% | Blends dry signal with compressed signal for parallel compression. Double-click returns to 100%; Factory Default preserves the current setting. |
| CURVE | CLASSIC, TIGHT. Default: CLASSIC | Selects the gain-reduction curve. TIGHT uses a firmer high-ratio law. |
| CHAR | OFF, VCA. Default: VCA | Enables or disables the VCA character stage. |
| CHAR DRIVE | 0-100%. Default: 15% | Drives the VCA character stage when CHAR is VCA. |
| Input meter | Meter | Shows input level. |
| GR meter | Meter | Shows detector-driven gain reduction. |
| Output meter | Meter | Shows output level. |
| Preset strip | Factory/user presets | Loads, saves, compares, and deletes presets for 80s Compressor. |
| Licensing | Settings menu | Shows demo time and imports or removes the 80s Suite license. |
Tips
- Set THRESHOLD first; the meter should show gain reduction only when the part needs control.
- Use slower ATTACK to keep pick attack or drum transients more forward.
- Use faster RELEASE for tighter control and slower RELEASE for smoother leveling.
- Lower MIX for parallel compression when 100% wet feels too clamped.
- Use CHAR DRIVE carefully after MAKEUP, because both can raise perceived level.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| No gain reduction | Lower THRESHOLD, raise RATIO, and confirm BYPASS is off. |
| The sound is too squashed | Raise THRESHOLD, lower RATIO, slow ATTACK, or lower MIX. |
| The output is louder or quieter than expected | Adjust MAKEUP after setting compression. |
| Character drive is not audible | Confirm CHAR is set to VCA and CHAR DRIVE is above 0%. |
| Processing stops after 20 minutes | Restart the host for a new demo session or import the signed 80s Suite .lic file in Settings > Licensing. |