The Kyma Language for Sound Design, Version 4.5

DynamicRangeController
Level, Compression, Expansion Category
Compresses or expands the Input’s dynamic range as a function of the SideChain’s amplitude envelope.
The Input and output levels will be the same except when the SideChain amplitude envelope crosses the
specified Threshold.
If Compressor is selected, the Input will be attenuated whenever the SideChain amplitude exceeds the
Threshold.
If Expander is selected, the Input amplitude will be boosted whenever the SideChain amplitude falls
below the Threshold.
You specify the Ratio of the input to the output amplitude.
Typical uses include: Limiting (compression with a very large ratio and high threshold), Gating (expansion
with extremely small ratio and low threshold), Ducking (set attack and decay to 1 or 2 seconds, put the
signal you want to duck in an out at the Input and put the controlling signal at the SideChain, and also mix
the SideChain with the output of the DynamicRangeController) , making short percussive sounds seem
louder (compress, then increase the overall gain), and smoothing out extreme changes in amplitude
(particularly useful when recording to media with limited dynamic range, such as cassette tape or
videotape).
SideChain
The amplitude envelope of this signal affects the amplitude envelope on the Input. Whenever the
SideChain’s envelope crosses the Threshold, the Input’s dynamic range will be either compressed or
expanded.
Input
This is the signal whose dynamic range will be compressed or expanded.
Type
Choose Compressor to compress all amplitudes above the threshold to a narrower dynamic range.
Choose Expander to expand the dynamic range of all amplitudes below the threshold to a wider dynamic
range.
Ratio
This is the ratio of the Input amplitude to the output amplitude. For compression, it should be greater
than 1. For expansion, it should be less than 1. (This only affects the Input when the SideChain crosses
the Threshold).
Threshold
This is the point at which a graph of Input to output level changes from a straight line to a curved line.
In compression, the Input is unchanged when the SideChain amplitude is below this threshold. When the
SideChain amplitude exceeds this threshold, the Input is attenuated.
In expansion, the Input is unchanged when the SideChain amplitude is above this threshold. When the
SideChain amplitude falls below this threshold, the Input is boosted.
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