Visual Multi-Band Compressor 1.01

This review examines the Visual Compressor, an AUv3 compatible visual effect plugin designed for integration within various digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Cubasis, Auria, Meteor, and AUM. Notably, this plugin functions exclusively as an in-Dock application and does not operate as a standalone program.

The Visual Compressor features a four-band compressor/expander that can analyze audio in real time, providing an accurate and reliable spectral representation of your signal along with visual feedback that indicates compression or expansion levels. This tool finds application in a variety of scenarios, from final song mastering to dynamic manipulation and equalization of drum tracks.

What distinguishes the Visual Compressor from conventional compressors is its ability to target specific frequency ranges rather than affecting the entire mix. With four available bands, users can precisely tighten a snare drum while simultaneously enhancing the punch of a bass drum without altering the overall integrity of the track.

Each of the four customizable frequency bands can be intuitively adjusted through drag-and-drop operations directly on the graphical interface, facilitating quick and easy configurations. Enabling the labeling option activates color-coded details for enhanced clarity. Each band also functions as an equalizer, allowing gain adjustments of +/-24 dB, and users have the flexibility to assign either a compressor or expander to each band.

The compressor within the plugin effectively manages excessively loud sounds that exceed a predetermined threshold, with individual settings for attack, release, and ratio available for each band. Conversely, the expander expands sounds exceeding the threshold while compressing those below it. This dual functionality is valuable for introducing dynamics or executing noise reduction on specific frequency ranges.

For further precision during setup, each band includes mute and solo buttons, enabling users to audition specific bands. This feature is particularly useful for fine-tuning frequency responses. Additionally, a bypass option allows users to deactivate a band while alleviating CPU load.

The Visual Compressor accommodates user convenience by allowing the loading and saving of custom presets and enabling copying and pasting of settings between instances. This feature is especially beneficial for those needing to configure multiple instances with identical settings efficiently.

One highlighted feature is the capability to save up to three mixes and switch between them for comparative analysis. These mixes are saved as part of custom presets alongside the saved state within your DAW.

As part of a broader 'visual' range of effects, this product represents the third installment in its series.

Main Features:

• Four distinct frequency bands
• Assignable compressor or expander
• Gain adjustment range of +/-24dB per band
• Assignable Q for precise crossover control
• Spectrum analyzer with 'Pre' and 'Post' monitoring
• Vertical shift and scale options for spectrum visualization
• Mute and solo buttons for each band
• Ability to save and compare up to three separate mixes
• Bypass option to remove a band, reducing CPU load
• Create and save custom presets
• Copy/paste presets between instances
• Compressor/limiter with auto makeup gain
• Twin VU meters displaying RMS/peak levels along with individual peak and gate indicators per band
• Brick wall limiter functionality
• Quick reset options available for each section of the effect