80s Compressor controls playing dynamics and adds optional VCA character. Stereo-linked detection applies the same gain reduction to both channels, keeping a stereo source's balance stable as it compresses.
Quick start
- For gentle leveling, try Soft Knee, Classic Curve and Ratio 4:1. The fresh default Ratio is 8:1, which gives a firmer squeeze.
- Lower Thresh until stronger notes produce about 2–6 dB of gain reduction.
- Start with Attack 5 ms and Release 80 ms. Increase Attack to let more of the initial pick transient through; lengthen Release for a smoother recovery.
- Adjust Gain to match the bypassed loudness. Lower Mix to blend in more uncompressed attack.
Page 1
| Control | Range or choices; fresh default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Thresh | −60–0 dB; −30 dB | Sets the level around which compression starts. Lower values generally produce more reduction. |
| Knee | Hard / Soft; Soft | Hard makes a sharper transition into compression; Soft begins more gradually around the threshold. |
| Ratio | 1:1–20:1; 8:1 | Sets compression strength. Higher values restrain level changes more strongly. |
| Gain | −12–24 dB; 0 dB | Adjusts the processed path's level after gain reduction, before Character. |
| GR | Read-only | Shows gain reduction at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10 and 20 dB. |
| Mix | 0–100%; 100% | Blends uncompressed input with the processed signal. 0% is dry; 100% is fully processed. |
Page 2
| Control | Range or choices; fresh default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 0.1–100 ms; 5 ms | Sets how quickly compression develops. Shorter settings control transients more firmly. |
| Release | 5–800 ms; 80 ms | Sets how quickly compression recovers as the signal falls. |
| Curve | Classic / Tight; Classic | Classic gives the standard response. Tight applies a firmer compression curve, increasingly restraining signals farther above threshold. |
| Character | Off / VCA; VCA | Enables additional harmonic character on the processed path. |
| Character Drive | 0–100%; 15% | Sets the strength of that character. Inactive when Character is Off. |
| — | Empty |
Gain, character and parallel compression
Gain changes the processed contribution, so it also changes the balance of a partial Mix. It feeds the Character stage: increasing Gain can change both loudness and coloration when Character is VCA. Compare Character Off and VCA at similar listening levels.
For parallel compression, use a firm Ratio and lower Thresh, then reduce Mix until the dry attack returns. Compressor uses a linear dry/processed blend; 50% mixes equal gains of both paths. Bypass returns the input without compression.
Changing Knee, Curve or Character does not recall a new set of the other controls. Character Drive keeps its value while inactive, ready for VCA to be enabled again. Save the Anagram preset to keep the complete sound.
Read the meters
Chain View shows IN / GR / OUT. IN and OUT indicate level; GR indicates reduction, with more lit LEDs meaning more compression. Settings page 1 keeps the same six GR thresholds alongside Anagram's input/output edge meters. GR measures the compression itself, so it can remain active even with a low Mix that makes the audible result subtle.