Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser User Manual
Page 30
4.2 AdvancedScreenControls
4 DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS
RATIO Section
RATIO FaderandTouchPad
This defines the input to output gain ratio of the compressor, once the signal has
reached the level of the threshold value. The Ratio setting is indicated in degrees as
an angle, because this allows you to picture the input/output gain characteristic as
shown below:
45 degrees
Ratio 1:1
No compression
∼26 degrees
Ratio 2:1
Gentle compression
∼14 degrees
Ratio 4:1
Significant compression
Note the useful legends to the right of the Ratio fader
For example, when set to 2:1 at around 26 degrees, the compressor gently
compresses signals into half the dynamic range they currently occupy above the
threshold level.
When set to 0 degrees, the compressor acts as a limiter — the output never goes
beyond the threshold level, except for transients that escape the compressor
because the attack time is too slow.
The ratio control is not, however, limited to positive values. If you want the
compressor to over-react to a breach of the threshold, then set the ratio to a
negative value such as -22 degrees; this will roughly double the amount of gain
reduction for a given breach of the threshold. For example, if the threshold is 6dB
below the peak then, with a ratio of -22, you will get 12dB of gain reduction.
This is useful when you want to eliminate ‘esses’ when they occur, rather than
simply keeping them below a threshold.