Package MSP

omx.comp~

OctiMax Compressor

Description

omx.comp~ is a fully-featured signal compressor with limiting, gating, sidechain, and dual-band options.

Arguments

None.

Attributes

Common Box Attributes

Below is a list of attributes shared by all objects. If you want to change one of these attributes for an object based on the object box, you need to place the word sendbox in front of the attribute name, or use the object's Inspector.

annotation[symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background[int]: 0

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color[4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface[int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname[symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize[float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden[int]: 0

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint[symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick[int]: 0

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile[symbol]

You can override the default appearance of a user interface object by assigning a JavaScript file with code for painting the object. The file must be in the search path.

patching_rect[4 floats]: 0. 0. 100. 0.

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position[2 floats]
write-only

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation[int]: 0

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect[4 floats]: 0. 0. 0. 0.

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect[4 floats]
write-only

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size[2 floats]
write-only

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor[4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification[int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname[symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.

Messages

agcEnabled

The word agcEnabled , followed by a 1 or 0, enables or disables the compressor.

Arguments:
  • compression-enable-flag [int]

agcThreshold

The word agcThreshold , followed by a number, sets the compressor threshold (in dB below full scale). This is the main compression threshold. Any signal above the threshold will be reduced, and any signal below the threshold will be amplified, according to the range and ratio parameters.

Arguments:
  • compression-threshold [float]

attack

The word attack , followed by a number, sets the rate at which the compressor is engaged when the signal level exceeds the agcThreshold. The value range is 0-150 on a logarithmic scale, with larger values indicating faster attack.

Arguments:
  • attack-rate [int]

bypass

The word bypass followed by a non-zero number will output the dry unchanged input signal straight out the outlet without any processing; followed by a 0, will output the signal effected by omx.comp~.

Arguments:
  • bypass-flag [int]

channelCoupling

The word channelCoupling , followed by a number, sets the gain control source as follows: 0 = stereo, 1 = left, 2 = right. In stereo mode, the gain control signal is derived from whichever channel is loudest, unlike in left or right mode where the gain control signal will only be derived from the selected channel. This can be used for "keying" or "ducking" effects, where the energy of one sound modulates the level of another.

Arguments:
  • keying-source (0, 1, or 2) [int]

choosePreset

The word choosePreset , followed by a number in the range 0-4, selects a preset for the omx.comp~ object. These presets are to be considered "starting points" and should be tweaked for your particular purpose or desired sound. The preset options are:

0: Guitar
1: Bass
2: Vocal
3: Drums
4: Program Material - An attempt at smooth "gain riding" of mixed program material as well as can be done with a non-multiband processor.

Arguments:
  • preset-number [int]

delay

The word delay , followed by a number, sets the sidechain delay time (in milliseconds). This emulates the attack characteristics of vintage "opto" compressors, and similar effects. The delay is applied to the control signal only, and hence may result in large peaks at transients.

Arguments:
  • delay-time [int]

dualBandEnabled

The word dualBandEnabled , followed by a 1 or 0, turns dual band mode on or off. In dual band, a crossover filter around 200hz splits the audio into two bands, which are compressed separately. This can reduce bass pumping and other artifacts of wide-band compression.

Arguments:
  • crossover-enable-flag [int]

freezeLevel

The word freezeLevel , followed by a number, sets the freeze threshold (in dB below full scale). When the signal is below this threshold, the compressor release action will be suppressed, and the gain will remain constant. In normal operation, release action takes place when the signal is below the compression threshold, increasing the gain until the signal returns to its full-scale, uncompressed level. If there is no usable signal present, this can have the effect of simply amplifying the noise floor. Release gate and freeze can suppress gain recovery to avoid this condition.

Arguments:
  • release-action-threshold [float]

gatingLevel

The word gatingLevel , followed by a number, sets the release gate threshold (in dB below full scale). When the signal is below this threshold, the release time of the compressor will be slowed by a factor of 3. See freezeLevel .

Arguments:
  • release-gate-threshold [float]

limEnabled

The word limEnabled , followed by a 1 or 0 turns the peak-limiter on or off.

Arguments:
  • peak-limiter-flag [int]

limMode

The word limMode , followed by a number, sets the limiter response mode as follows: 0 = punchy, 1 = smooth. Punchy response yields extremely short attack and release times, useful for transparent limiting, or to create loudness. However, if over-used, intermodulation distortion may result. Smooth response uses longer attack and release times. The result is still a fast look-ahead limiter, but with less intermodulation distortion and less punch.

Arguments:
  • response-mode-flag [int]

meterData

The word meterData will cause output (by instantaneous command as opposed to metering-interval described by the meterRate message) of values which describe the current state of various internal gain levels of the compressor, and can be used to drive GUI objects to provide visual feedback. omx.comp~ sends a list of six integers, describing compressor gain (left, right), noise gate gain (left, right), and limiter gain (left, right).

meterRate

The word meterRate , followed by a number, specifies the interval (in milliseconds) at which the meter data described above will be sent.

Arguments:
  • data-output-interval [int]

meters

The word meters , followed by a 1 or 0, turns the metering output on or off. When metering is on, a list of values will be sent from the rightmost outlet at a rate specified by the meterRate message. These values describe the current state of various internal gain levels of the compressor, and can be used to drive GUI objects to provide visual feedback. omx.comp~ sends a list of six integers, describing compressor gain (left, right), noise gate gain (left, right), and limiter gain (left, right).

Arguments:
  • metering-enable-flag [int]

ngEnabled

The word ngEnabled , followed by a 1 or 0, turns the noise gate on or off. A noise gate is effective for reducing background hiss when no other signal is present. Here, it's implemented as a downward expander with a ratio of 2:1.

Arguments:
  • noise-gate-flag [int]

ngThreshold

The word ngThreshold , followed by a number, sets the threshold level (in dB below full scale) at which the noise gate will be engaged.

Arguments:
  • noise-gate-threshold [float]

progressiveRelease

The word ProgressiveRelease , followed by a number from 0-100, activates Progressive Release, which causes the compressor to release faster during heavy gain reduction. This means that the audio will sound more compressed when the input signal is louder. This can be used to create an illusion of dynamics. It is especially useful with the ratio set to Infinite:1, which could sound over-compressed without this option.

Arguments:
  • release [int]

range

The word range , followed by a number, sets the maximum amount of gain amplification allowed in dB. This limits the gain that is applied when the signal is below the compression threshold. Note that this limiting takes place before the ratio is applied. For example, if the range is set to 24 dB, and the ratio is 2:1, the most gain amplification you can get (after the ratio is applied) is in fact 12 dB.

Arguments:
  • maximum-gain-amplification [float]

ratio

The word ratio , followed by a number, sets the numerator of the compressor gain reduction ratio, from 1:1 to Infinite:1.

Arguments:
  • gain-reduction-ratio-numerator [int]

release

The word release , followed by a number, sets the rate at which the compressor releases its gain adjustment when the signal level no longer exceeds the agcThreshold. The value range is 0-150 on a logarithmic scale, with larger values indicating faster release. This rate can be modified by the release gate and freeze thresholds.

Arguments:
  • release-rate [int]

saveSettings

The word saveSettings causes all parameter values to be sent out the third outlet.

sidechainFilterEnabled

The word sidechainFilterEnabled , followed by a 1 or 0, enables or disables an attenuation filter in the upper midrange that makes the compressor less sensitive to vocal signals, and generally produces a more gentle response. This filter is only applied internally, to the control signal. Note that it may cause more output overshoots, where the signal output level exceeds 0dB.

Arguments:
  • keying-attenuation-flag [int]

signal

Audio input, the signal or pair of signals to be compressed.

smoothGain

The word smoothGain , followed by a number from 0-100, activates gain smoothing. This applies a low-pass filter to the control signal, and is useful both to prevent artifacts (gain fluttering) from high attack/release rates, and to intentionally make the compressor sluggish, adding extra "snap" to transients.

Arguments:
  • smoothing [int]

Output

list

Out right outlet: when metering is turned on (via the meters message), a list will be output describing various internal levels. See meters, above.

signal

Out leftmost two outlets: the input signals (if present), with dynamics processing applied.

See Also

Name Description
omx.4band~ OctiMax 4-band Compressor
omx.5band~ OctiMax 5-band Compressor
omx.peaklim~ OctiMax Peak Limiter