The last knob controls the mode of the VU Meter.īill Putnam’s late 1960s LA-2A Silver is probably the most versatile and most used of the original hardware units. Increasing the Peak Reduction lowers the compression threshold, increasing the amount of compression applied.īoth the Gain and Peak Reduction knobs are marked with values ranging from 0-100, but those values are just reference points and don’t represent any actual dB value.
You set the amount of compression from 0 dB to -40 dB using the Peak Reduction knob. As the Gain control adjusts the output level, it doesn’t affect the amount of compression applied. Next is the Gain knob, which adds up to 40 dB of makeup gain to compensate for the compression. The compression ratios are frequency-dependent and not absolute. In Compress mode, the ratio is roughly 3:1 and roughly infinity:1 when set to Limit. It starts with the Compress/Limit switch, which sets the ratio.
It’s also famous for being incredibly easy to use because it has so few controls – and the plugin is no different.
