Solid State Logic SSL 4K E User Manual page 13

Compressor Mix
Determines the parallel mix amount of wet signal added to the Dry pre-compressed signal. 100%
means the signal is entirely the signal passed through the compressor section, and 0% is an entirely
dry signal path following the previous channel strip processing sections. 50% would be equal amounts
wet to dry signal.
Compression Ratio
The severity with which the signal is reduced when it exceeds the Threshold. When set to 1, the
compressor is bypassed.
Compressor Fast Attack
Provides a faster attack time (3 ms per 20 dB gain reduction). When off, the attack time is slower and
less aggressive (30 ms for 20 dB of gain reduction).
Compressor Threshold
Set the threshold from +10 to -20 dB. The threshold determines the level above which compression
occurs. In this compressor design, the Threshold also applies an automatic gain-make-up. This can
be disabled via Advanced Settings.
Compressor Release
Controls how quickly the level returns to normal after the input level has dropped below the Threshold
(measured in seconds).
DYN IN
Toggles the dynamics processing (both compression and gate/expander) in or out.
Gate/Expander Threshold
Sets the threshold above which the the gate/expander will be opened. Variable hysteresis is
incorporated in the threshold circuitry. For any given 'open' setting, the Expander/Gate will have a
lower 'close' threshold. The hysteresis value is increased as the threshold is lowered. This is very
useful in music recording as it allows instruments to decay below the open threshold before gating or
expansion takes place.
Gate/Expander Range
Controls the maximum amount of gain reduction applied by the gate/expander. When set to 0, the
gate/expander is bypassed.
Compressor and Gate Meters
The left meter (orange) indicates the amount of compression (attenuation in dB) that is being applied
to the signal, and the right meter (green) indicates the amount of gating (attenuation in dB) that is
being applied to the signal.
Gate/Expander Release
Sets how long the signal remains audible after the gate/expander closes, from 0.1 to 4 seconds. This
control interacts with the Gate/Expander Range.
Expander Button
Switches the gate into downwards expander mode with a gentle curve instead of the high ratio gate.
Gate/Expander Fast Attack
Sets the gate/expander to a fast attack time (100 µs per 40 dB). When off, a controlled linear attack
time of 1.5 ms per 30 dB is applied. When gating signal with a steep rising edge, such as drums, a
slow attack may effectively mask the initial 'thwack', so you should be aware of this when selecting
the appropriate attack time.