Dangerous Music Compressor - Manual (Page 8)

4 | DANGEROUS MUSIC
quality. Therefore, you cannot compare the “before” and “after” honestly. “Hard wire” effectively removes the unit
from the signal path.
Tip:
,
To test any unit (even a guitar pedal) for “true hard wire bypass” design, place it in bypass and disconnect the power
(AC or battery). If the unit still passes audio, it’s a true hard wire bypass circuit.
Trivia: Known in the inner circles as a “sober switch”.
2. SIDECHAIN BUTTONS (a Quadrilogy)
[
sidechain buttons pictured above
]
INTRO
A sidechain circuit provides what the
gain reduction
element in a compressor “hears.” When cleverly designed it allows the
compressor
to become more or less sensitive to a specific frequency or group of frequencies. In other words, let’s say you’re committing a mix. The
final feels like it needs more
gain reduction
(i.e. compression/limiting), but when engaged, every time the kick drum sounds, the entire
mix drops in level. By reducing the compressor’s sensitivity to low frequency content (i.e. BASS!), it will allow the kick drum to strike,
without over-triggering the
compressor
.
BASS CUT
Feature: Reduces sensitivity to low frequency energy. (i.e. the
compressor
won’t react as much to bass).
Benefit: Keeps the compressor from “dunking” with loud bass or kick drum levels. (i.e. more bass, while controlling the rest)
Technical:
bass cut
introduces a 6dB per octave filter, 3dB down at 60Hz.
SIBILANCE BOOST
Feature: Increases sensitivity to high frequency energy. (i.e. the
compressor
will react more to the top end).
Benefit: Tame the harshness without resorting to EQ changes.