Audio compression reduces the dynamic range of a signal.
Compression is used at all stages of the music production.
It can either be used as a creative and coloring effect, or as a mixing and mastering tool to shape, refine and beef up your mix.
Depending on the technology used in their circuitry, each compressor design has its own specifications and character, making them convenient for particular uses, and bringing very interesting coloration to the sound.
This can make the use of compressors situational and dependant on the producer or engineer’s taste.
Here is a quick tour of Tube-STA main panel parameters.
Input
The Tube STA threshold cannot be adjusted.
To increase the compression, you need to raise the Input.
The louder the audio, the more the tubes reduce the gain.
Output
After the compression starts reducing the signal amplitude, you usually need to compensate for the volume loss. To do that, raise the output gain.
Link
When raising the Input knob, the Link control will make the Output knob to move the opposite side.
This acts as a kind of gain compensation, but we would recommend only using it as a guide.
Mode
Compression Mode affects both the Attack and Recovery Time.
Single provides a very slow response and preserve transients.
Triple provide the faster attack and release, but remains pretty slow.
Recovery
Recovery Time controls the time the unit takes to get back to a neutral state. It will still be slow, even at the fastest position due to the Tube-STA design.
Don't forget that the Recovery time is affected by the Compression Mode.
Mix
Blends the Dry and Wet signal.
This is a convenient way to easily achieve New York / Parallel compression.
Source
Lets you choose if the compressor input signal (internal), or another track (external) triggers the compression.Side-Chain Gain
Just like the input knob, this control lets you raise the side-chain gain to increase the compression level.
Detection Mode
Determines if the compression trig and effect is mono or stereo.
Equalizer
Lets you filter the side chain signal.
Mostly used to take off lower frequencies and avoid, or hone in one, the pumping effect caused by kicks or basses.
Listen
In case you only trust your ears, this lets you hear the side chain signal and the equalization applied on it.
The A and B function allows to compare between two distinct snapshots of the loaded preset.
As sometimes the compressors effect can be very subtle, this feature will help you fine tune your settings.
To do that, start from a reference state, and tweak the settings on the comparison state. Then jump from one state to another, to hear the difference without losing your settings on the reference state.
If you want to copy the settings on A to B or vice-versa, select the snapshot you want to copy from (the source) and click over the arrow.
This will make the settings of that snapshot be copied over to the other snapshot.
Note: The arrow is always pointing from the currently selected snapshot (Source) to the other one (Destination).