Similarly, the release time can define how long it takes for the active compressor to return to
its standby state after the signal level has fallen below the threshold level.
The right settings for attack and release time strongly depend on both the current purpose of
the compression and the kind of instrument that you are working on!
Side-Chain Input
Every compressor uses a detector to decide when to kick in. This detector listens to a control
signal and activates the compressor when needed.
Usually, the detector listens to the input signal itself and activates the compressor whenever
the level of the input signal exceeds the selected threshold.
A side-chain input, on the contrary, allows you to feed the detector with another signal (e.g. an-
other track in your mix). In this setup, compression is applied according to the level of the oth-
er signal. This greatly widens the versatility of your compressor.
Typically the side-chain input is fed by the bass drum track as a control signal to trigger
the compressor on the bass guitar track. Another example is the “auto talk over” feature
found on several mixers, which automatically attenuates the level of the music as soon as
you talk in the microphone.
Parallel Compression
Sometimes you may want to keep the original signal and blend it with the compressed signal.
Setting up a signal path for parallel compression can help retain some of the sonic characteris-
tics of your original instrument (mainly the transients) when a signal is heavily compressed and
in need of some top-end sparkle.
1.2 The VC 2A
The VC 2A is inspired by one of the most sought-after compression units ever made. Originally
produced in the early 1960s, this tube-based compressor is still being used in the best record-
ing studios worldwide. Its revolutionary design, making use of an electro-luminescent optical
gain reduction system, played an important role in its transparent compression characteristics.
This, along with the analog circuitry, helped coin the unit’s trademark character whose soft
coloring is still treasured among musicians and sound engineers.
Welcome to VC 2A
The VC 2A
VC 2A - Manual - 7
