Brands:

• AMX
• BSS Audio

Models:

• AVX Suite

Overview:

This article will look at the various modes available to the Soundweb OMNI dynamics processing objects. 

To see a video of this article, click HERE.

Description:

These modes are the Shared, Individual, and Sidechain modes, and can be accessed from the Properties window when selecting the dynamics processing object.

In this example, a signal generator is feeding a multi-channel gain, that feeds a multi-channel compressor and finally into this meter object.

This compressor is set up as an aggressive limiter, with a very high ratio and a -25db threshold.

The single tone generator output feeds the three inputs of the gain object, with each gain set at -30db.

This is reflected in the output metering for all 3 channels.

Shared Mode

In the Shared Mode, when any channel rises above the threshold, the gain reduction is applied to all the channels. Look at the output meters as channel 1 is raised above the threshold. Notice that the gain reduction has been applied to channel 1, but also to channels 2 and 3.

When channel 1 is lowered back down, and channel 2 brought up, the same gain reduction will happen.

This can also be additive. If channel 3 is brought up, the additional reduction is being applied to channels 1 and 2.

Individual Mode

The example has been reset to the starting gains, and the compressor has been set to Individual mode. In Individual mode, each signal will trigger its own gain reduction based on its levels. As channel 1 level is increased, the gain reduction is occurring in the compressor, but only channel 1 is affected.

If channel 1 is brought back down and channel 3 is increased, only channel 3 is affected.

The compression can also happen simultaneously. If channel 1 is increases, both channels 1 and 3 are now showing reduction while channel 2 remains unaffected.

Sidechain Mode

When Sidechain Mode is enabled, a new input is exposed on the object block.

This Sidechain Input signal will control the gain reduction of all the other signals in the compressor. The example has been reset, but this time the input levels on the gain object are staggered to -10, -20, and -30db.

The compressor threshold is still -25db, but notice that no gain reduction is occurring even though channels 1 and 2 are above this threshold. The meters still reflect the values that are coming in at the gain stage.

Channel 4 of the gain object is controlling the Sidechain input level. If this level is increased above the threshold level, the gain reduction is applied to all 3 of the channels, even the ones that were below the threshold level.