STA-limit is a faithful model of a vintage tube compression device from Gates. Its character is extremely useful on all kinds of tracks, from acoustic instruments to vocals to guitars and drums, to add punch and color.
Features:
- HW modeled after a vintage unit from Gates.
- Dual or stereo.
- “Extra” unit.
- Mid-Side compression.
- v.2: improved sound and lighter on CPU.
- Now AAX Native and DSP! 8 units/chip. For Avid HDX and Venue systems.
- Auto level compensation for easy dry/wet comparison.
It is a free update for existing users.
Input – Input gain.
Output – Output gain.
Mode – Single time constant for release, double time constant (useful on groups and mixes), auto mode (program dependent release).
Recovery time – Time needed to recover from compression, often defined as “release time”.
Sidechain filters – Cut or boost low and high frequency band in the sidechain path. A cut reduces compression for that frequency band, a boost increases sensitivity and compression. Disabled when Extra switch is off.
Image – Route the action of the compressor to the full stereo signal, the Mid component or the Side component only and anywhere in between. Standard position is 50%. Disabled when Extra switch is off.
Stereo Mode – “Stereo”: the same amount of compression affects both left and right channels, for the best stereo alignment. “Dual”: left and right channels are procesed through two completely independent compressors. Image shift may arise due to audio content. Usually a wider stereo image. Always active.
Mix – Time and phase aligned wet/dry mix, useful for a finer control on compression. Set it to 100% for normal compressor action.
VST/AU/AAX 39.99$
A beta/demo Apple-silicon-native version is available here:
STA-limit – Beta/Demo – AAX Apple-silicon-native
(To install: ensure your workstation is online while you insert the first instance. If you don’t own a license, it will run in demo mode, requires the workstation to be online every time you add a first instance in a project or re-open a project).