The Auto release control sets an optimal release time in relation to the manual release time. When Manual release is selected then the release of the attenuation will be absolute as indicated, Adding ARC will make the release sensitive to the amount of attenuation and set the best release time to get more transparent results.
BEHAVIOR:
Opto or Electro. Default – Electro.
•Opto is a classic modeling of opto-coupled compressors which used light sensitive resistors to control the amount of compression (in the detector circuit). They have a characteristic release behavior of “putting on the brakes” as the gain reduction approaches zero. In other words, the closer the meter comes back to zero, the slower it moves. (This is once the gain reduction is 3dB or less). Above 3dB of gain reduction, the Opto mode actually has faster release times. In summary, Opto mode has fast release times at high gain reduction, slow release times as it approaches zero GR. This can be very beneficial for deeper compression applications.
•Electro is a compressor behavior invention by Waves, in that it is very much the inverse of the Opto mode. As
the meter comes back to zero, the faster it moves. (This is once the gain reduction is 3dB or less). Above 3dB
of gain reduction, the Electro mode actually has slower release times, much like a mini-leveler, which minimizes distortion and optimizes level. In summary, Electro mode has slow release times at high gain reduction, and progressively faster release as it approaches zero GR. This has very good benefits for moderate compression applications where maximum RMS (average) level and density is desired.
KNEE:
Soft =0 – Hard=1. Default – 0.5
This Master control affects all 4 bands’ knee characteristics, ranging from softer (low values) to harder (higher values). At the maximum value, the Master Knee control tends to give the sound a harder edge, with a punchier overshoot-style character. Adjust to taste. The KNEE and RANGE together interact to give the equivalent of a ratio control. To achieve limiter-type behavior, use high KNEE settings.
