Compressor output parameters in MainStage
Compressor output parameters are shown to the right when the Output button is active.
Compressor output parameters
Limiter button: Turn the integrated limiter on or off. Limiting prevents the output of Compressor from exceeding the threshold value.
Limiter Threshold knob and field: Set the threshold level for the limiter.
Distortion knob: Choose whether to apply clipping above 0 dB, and the type of clipping. Soft, Hard, and Clip reduce the signal around the 0 dB line in different ways, resulting in a smoothed or squared off distortion of the signal peaks.
Soft: Rounds off the signal as it approaches the 0 dB level, reducing the overall signal, rather than abruptly limiting amplitude.
Hard: Emulates a transistor effect that abruptly limits amplitude above 0 dB.
Clip: Limits amplitude at the 0 dB mark, but can be more punchy than the Hard setting, depending on the input material.
Mix knob and field: Set the balance between dry (source) and wet (effect) signals. This enables you to either reduce signal peaks (dry), or to increase the level of softer signals (wet).