Compressor/Limiter III Knee Control

The Knee control sets the rate at which the compressor reaches full compression once the threshold has been exceeded.

As you increase this control, it goes from applying “hard-knee” compression to “soft-knee” compression:

With hard-knee compression, compression begins when the input signal exceeds the threshold. This can sound abrupt and is ideal for limiting.

With soft-knee compression, gentle compression begins and increases gradually as the input signal approaches the threshold, and reaches full compression after exceeding the threshold. This creates smoother compression.

 

Graph examples of hard knee (left) and soft knee (right) compression

For example, a Knee setting of 10 dB would be the gain range over which the ratio gradually increased to the set ratio amount.

The Gain Reduction meter displays light orange while gain reduction has not exceeded the knee setting, and switches to dark orange when gain reduction reaches the full ratio.

This control ranges from 0 db (hardest response) to 30 db (softest response).