Dynamics processors

• Published: 2022-03-27 14:14
• Updated: 2023-03-27 18:58

Dynamics processors like compressors, expanders, and limiters act on the dynamic range of an incoming audio signal over time. These devices employ envelope followers to read an incoming signals’ amplitude as voltage. The resulting stream of voltage is shaped by user input to control the processors’ output amplifier.

By design, they only detect how much the incoming signals’ amplitude changes over time. How they do it heavily relies on their circuit/algorithm design and exposed controls. Which, in order to yield reproduceable results in reliable ways, must be adjusted according to different scenarios: based on tempo, dynamic range, and the frequency spectrum of any incoming signal and user intention.

They’re unable to categorize signals as “bass”, “kick”, “hihat”, “group”, “bus” or “master”.

Dynamics processors are inherently ‘dumb’ devices. Lacking an own will or intention. (Despite often giving us an opposing impression 🐂)