Mackie Spike User Manual page 55

Compressor module continued
Soft button
This activates the soft knee feature. A Knee control appears in
the controls section of the compressor. Increasing the Knee val-
ue causes the compressor to begin working slightly before the
threshold value and gradually adjusts the gain reduction ratio to
its set value slightly after the threshold value. This can be seen
as a curve around the knee point on the compressor graphic
display. This gradually increases the amount of compression as
the signal nears the threshold, and minimizes (softens) the audi-
bility of the compressor with program material that crosses the
threshold.
Knee slider
This control is visible only when the SOFT button is lit. It con-
trols how sharp the compressor responds near the threshold. It
ranges from 0.0 to 10.0 dB on either side of the threshold.
Limit button
Clicking this button causes the Ratio setting to jump up to its
maximum value. This essentially "Limits" the output signal to
never exceed a specifi ed level. (Clicking it again will not turn it off, but moving the Ratio slider will.)
Note: The LIMIT button also lights if you move the Ratio slider to maximum.
Soft
Limit
Knee
Compressor with Soft Knee on
User's
55
Guide