Squasher

Squasher is a multi-band compressor that combines upward and downward compression, allowing you to squash the audio signal. You can set up different parameters for up to three frequency bands and use internal or external side-chaining sources to control the amount of compression for each band.

Main section

This section provides general settings for upward and downward compression for each frequency band.

Frequency/Compressor display

Displays the frequency spectrum. It allows you to edit the band range, the output level, the upward/downward ratio, and the upward/downward threshold for each band. You can switch the display between a frequency spectrum view and a compressor characteristics view by clicking the corresponding buttons left of the display:

You can edit the output level of a band or the cutoff frequency between two bands by dragging the corresponding handle in the frequency spectrum display.

Show/Hide Full Frequency Band View

Shows/Hides the frequency spectrum/compressor display.

Input meter

Shows the level of the overall input signal.

Input

Sets the overall input level.

Bands

Sets the number of frequency bands.

Mix

Adjusts the mix between dry signal and wet signal, preserving the transients of the input signal.

Parameter Link

Links the parameters of the same type in all bands. This allows you to edit parameter values of all bands in a module simultaneously. Two link modes are available:

If Absolute Mode is activated and you edit a parameter value of one band, the corresponding parameter values of the other bands are set to the same value.
If Relative Mode is activated and you edit a parameter value of one band, the relation of the corresponding parameter values of the other bands remains the same.

Activate/Deactivate Band

Activates/Deactivates the corresponding frequency band.

Solo Band

Solos the corresponding frequency band.

Up Ratio/Down Ratio

Set the amount of upward and downward compression. These parameters allow you to adjust the squashing effect.

In

Shows the input level for the corresponding frequency band.

Up Threshold/Down Threshold

The left triangle sets the threshold for upward compression. If the input signal is below this threshold, the upward compressor raises the level according to the Up Ratio value.

The right triangle sets the threshold for downward compression. If the input signal is above this threshold, the downward compressor lowers the level according to the Down Ratio value.

You can drag the darker area between both handles to adjust Up Threshold and Down Threshold simultaneously.

Output meter

Shows the level of the overall output signal.

Output

Sets the overall output level.

Squash Parameter section

This section provides additional compression and filter settings for each frequency band.

Show/Hide Squash Parameter Section: Shows/Hides the squash parameter section.
Att.: Sets the compression attack time for both the upward and downward compressor.
Rel.: Sets the compression release time for both the upward and downward compressor.
Drive: Sets the amount of saturation. This parameter adds harmonics to the output signal.
Gate: Sets the threshold for the internal gating effect. Signal levels above this threshold trigger the gate to open. Signal levels below this threshold close the gate.

Note
You can control this parameter via side-chaining.
Mix: Adjusts the mix between dry signal and wet signal for the corresponding band.
Output: Sets the output level for the corresponding band.

Note
Alternatively, you can edit this parameter by dragging the corresponding handle in the frequency display.

Side-Chain section

This section provides settings for internal and external side-chaining for each frequency band. It is only available if the parameter section is shown.

Show/Hide Side-Chain Section

Shows/Hides the side-chaining section.

Activate/Deactivate Side-Chaining for Band

Activates/Deactivates side-chaining for the corresponding band.

Side-Chain Input

This pop-up menu allows you to select the side-chain input for the corresponding band.

Internal uses the input signal of the track.
Side-Chain 1 - Side-Chain 3 allow you to use the side-chain inputs of the plug-in.

Side-Chain Filter Listen

Lets you monitor the side-chain signal and the applied filter.

Freq

Sets the frequency of the side-chain filter.

Q

Sets the Q factor of the side-chain filter.

Send to

This pop-up menu allows you to send the side-chain signal to the compressor section (Squasher) or to the internal gate.