Characteristic curve: The characteristic curve represents the transfer function from the input level to the output level. When you play back audio, you will see the current input and output levels of the signal as a white cloud of dots over the characteristic curve. With this Dynamic Scope the change of levels is constantly visualized by Advanced Dynamics.

You can edit the transfer characteristic graphically by moving the points on the curve or parametrically by changing the parameters of the characteristic sections with the sliders.

If you right-click on a point, you will get an input field in which you can directly enter the position of a point in the characteristic curve.

The control points G and L of the characteristic curve control the upper and lower limit of the characteristic curve , the Gate and the Limiter. Below the characteristic curve are the associated parameters.

• Gate (G): Level (in dB) determines the minimum level at the input. All signals below this level will have an output signal level of 0 dB. The gate level can be set in the graphic by moving the point G horizontally.

Limiter (L):

• Thresh.: (Threshold) determines the maximum level at the output in dB.

• Hard: If Hard is active, the output signal is hard limited to the set threshold value. This means that no sample may exceed the set limiter level. Of course, the signal is not simply cut off at this limit. The used algorithm brings the signal as close as possible to the limit without changing the original sound.

  In the characteristic curve display, when hard limiting to levels below 0 dB, the area of the characteristic curve that is never reached as a result is marked with Limited Zone.

  If Hard is not active, the algorithm controls according to the set transfer characteristic and and levels above 0dB can be present at the output. This allows you to use the limiter as an "analog" limiter for analog sound shaping.Then additionally use the dedicated "brickwall" limiter sMax11, to prevent clipping.

The points 1 and 2 control the two characteristic curve sections for the compressor/expander stages.

The horizontal position determines the thresholds of the stages (Thresholds), the vertical positions result in different rises for the curve sections, which can also be expressed as Ratio:

With a ratio < 1 the stage works as an expander, with settings > 1 as a compressor.

If a stage works as a compressor, it means that the gain above the threshold is reduced: For example, with a set ratio of 2, this means that if the input level is increased by 3 dB, the output level will only be increased by 1.5 dB. High levels (above the threshold) are therefore amplified less than low levels, reducing the dynamic range and compressing the signal. The larger the ratio value, the stronger the compression.

The dynamic range of an input signal (exemplarily marked by the green lines) is reduced by the compressor.

If a stage works as an expander, it means that the gain above the threshold is increased: For example, with a set ratio of 0.5, this means that increasing the input level by 3 dB will increase the output level by 6 dB. High levels (above the threshold) are thus amplified more than low levels, increasing the dynamic range and expanding the signal. The smaller the ratio value, the stronger the expansion.

The dynamic range of an input signal (exemplarily marked by the green lines) is increased by the expander.

Envelope: The time constants regulate the sound characteristics significantly, so certain time constants can lead to distortion effects or to "pumping".

• Attack: Time span between crossing the threshold and the maximum impact of the effect in milliseconds.

• Release: Time span until the effect processing of the signal is completely withdrawn in milliseconds.

Soft: With this parameter you specify a rounding of the characteristic curve at the folding points. If the change between uncompressed and compressed signal is clearly apparent, i.e. the signal level fluctuates around the folding point, "Soft" achieves a smoother transition.

Mode: These are typical use cases for the Advanced Dynamics. They specify settings that make the graphical editing of the characteristic curve easier. The mode selection limits the number of applicable parameters, e.g. when used as a pure limiter.

Reaction:

• Peak: The peak levels of the signal are used for control, the effect reacts quickly to level peaks.

• RMS (Root Mean Square): This mode uses the average loudness of the signal - this corresponds to the behavior of many analog dynamic effect devices. The time constant for the averaging is based on the length of the Attack parameter.

• Fast: Use this option if the dynamics are to be affected only slightly. The maximum level at the output never exceeds the threshold value of the limiter.

• Preview: When this option is active, the dynamics section works in preview mode. This means that not only the current input signal is analyzed, but also upcoming signals. The dynamic stage is not surprised by sudden level peaks, and attack phases that are too steep are smoothed out. To reproduce the sound behavior of analog dynamic effects, it is better to deactivate the preview. The length of the look-ahead may be entered in the Samples field.

Level:

• Reduction display: The average level reduction or level increase is displayed at the right edge of the characteristic curve.

• In/Out: The peak meters show the input and output level in dB. Reset on these displays resets the display of Reduction, In and Out.

• Gain: Use this fader to raise or lower the output level. In the characteristic curve, this is represented in such a way that the entire characteristic curve is shifted upwards or downwards.

Sidechain: If this option is activated, another signal from one or more other tracks is used for level control instead of the processed signal itself.

In Surround Master or in an object, Advanced Dynamics has no sidechain function.

The Sidechain... button opens the Sidechain menu:

• Sidechain In: Enables and disables the sidechain function.

• Side Chain Solo: With this option you can listen to the sidechain signal. For this purpose, the compressor is switched to Bypass and only the sidechain signal is output. When closing the effect dialog, the Side Chain Solo function is automatically reset. Side Chain Solo is also ideal for acoustic control when applying the sidechain filter.

• Side chain filter: The sidechain signal can be filtered by a Parametric equalizer.

The lower part of the menu lists all the tracks from which you can select one or more as sidechain sources. In the mixer channels used as sidechain signal, a separate sidechain bus is created that sends directly to the sidechain input. The signal tap of the sidechain send is preset to Pre-Fader. This causes the sidechain signal to remain independent of the volume setting of the sending channel.