Output gain level.

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Output gain

The Output gain fader allows you to determine how much the audio signal is boosted following its compression.

Attack time

The Attack time slider allows you to determine how soon after rising above the threshold the audio signal is attenuated.

Release time

The Release time slider allows you to determine how soon after falling below the threshold the audio signal attenuation is interrupted.

Smart release

The Smart Release slider allows you to configure the compressor to automatically increase the release time for sustained notes and decrease the release time for sharp transients. Setting this value higher increases the internal variability of the specified Release value.

Generally, louder overall audio levels can be achieved with lower Release values. However, low Release values can also lead to an increase in “pumping” artifacts. Configuring a Smart Release value increases the release time during sustained sounds, thereby preventing release changes from occurring too rapidly.

Scan mode

The Scan mode radio buttons allow you to specify whether Peak or RMS mode is used to determine the loudness of an audio file, which in turn determines the amount of compression that is applied. When compressing in Peak mode, the compressor applies compression where it detects audio signal peaks that surpass the threshold.

However, when compressing using RMS mode, the compressor processes the audio using the detected average RMS value of the entire file. The Root Mean Square (RMS) of audio is a measure of its intensity over a period of time. Therefore, the RMS power of audio corresponds to the loudness perceived by a listener when measured over small intervals of time. As a result, rapid transient peaks may not be processed when compressing in RMS mode.

Auto gain compensate

When you select the Auto gain compensate check box, Wave Hammer boosts the compressor output by a constant amount derived from the Threshold and Ratio settings. This option prevents a loss in overall level when compressing audio.

Tip: When using the Auto gain compensate option, the fader should be used to fine tune the signal output

Use longer look-ahead

When you select the Use longer look-aheadcheck box, the compressor scans farther ahead in the incoming audio to determine how much compression is needed. This results in compression being applied before the threshold-surpassing audio actually occurs, thereby allowing for a slower Attack time value. However, the pre- compression effect (fades that occur prior to attacks) of this option may be distracting.

Smooth saturation

Selecting the Smooth saturation check box lowers the amount of distortion caused when applying heavy compression. When this option is turned on, the compressed audio sounds warmer and not overly bright.

USING ACOUSTIC MIRROR AND WAVE HAMMER

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