MODE ANALYSIS
A closer look at Combo Dyn's four character modes.
VALVE
Models a tube-based compression circuit.
Uses feedback topology - the detector reads the output signal rather than the input, creating a self-correcting loop that produces soft, musical compression. The gain element adds even-order harmonics that increase with compression depth, adding warmth without harsh distortion. Attack responds no faster than 1ms regardless of the Attack knob setting, preserving the natural feel of the tube character. Release time shortens automatically on louder signals, giving the compressor a breathing quality that tracks the program.
Best for drum buses, mix buses, vocals - any where you want compression to feel musical and effortless.
FET
Models a transistor-based compression circuit.
One of the fastest compressor topologies ever designed. Also uses a feed-forward topology. The detector uses three parallel envelope followers running at different speeds, blended together to produce the complex multi-stage transient response that defines this type of circuit. Odd-order harmonics are added by the gain element, contributing an aggressive, forward-sounding character. Attack floor is 50 microseconds, fast enough to catch virtually any transient.
Best for drums, electric guitars, bass, vocals requiring punch and presence - any where you want compression to excite the signal.
OPTO
Models an optical compression circuit.
Models an optical compression circuit. A light source drives a photocell, and the photocell's resistance controls gain reduction. This means the compressor's response is physically determined by how light interacts with the photocell material - not by fixed time constants. The attack floor is 10ms (the minimum the optical element can physically respond to.) The release uses a two-stage curve: an initial fast recovery followed by a long, slow tail (2.5 seconds) that dominates the release behavior. The detector uses a program-dependent RMS window that shortens as.the signal gets louder. The result is compression that breathes naturally with the signal without pumping or grabbing.
Best for vocals, dialog, ADR, acoustic instruments and foley - anything that benefits from smooth, invisible compression.
TRANSPARENT
A mathematically linear feed-forward compressor with no analogue character added.
A mathematically linear feed-forward compressor with no analogue character added. Uses 3ms of look-ahead so the compressor begins reducing gain before the transient arrives, eliminating overshoot entirely. The control signal is processed through a one-pole smoothing filter that suppresses digital aliasing without oversampling. Attack and release knobs respond exactly as labelled - no minimum floors, no program dependency. Saturation has no effect in this mode. Zero harmonic content is added at any setting.
Best for mastering, limiting, and situations where transparency is the primary requirement.
Mode Comparison
Mode | Detector Type | Time Constants | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
VALVE | RMS (feedback) | 1ms floor / program-dependent release | Warm, even-order harmonics, breathing |
FET | Peak (feedback) | 50µs floor / auto-release at high ratio | Aggressive, odd-order harmonics, punchy |
OPTO | RMS (feedback) | 10ms floor / two-stage optical tail | Smooth, musical, slow breathing release |
TRANSPARENT | Peak (feed-forward) | Exact user values / 3ms look-ahead | Zero color, clean peak control |
PARAMETERS
Input / Output
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Output | -24 to +24 dB | 0.0 dB | Gain trim applied after all processing. Use to compensate for level changes after compression and makeup gain. |
Input | -24 to +24 dB | 0.0 dB | Gain trim applied before the compressor. Use to drive the signal into the detector harder or softer without changing your DAW routing. |
Compression
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Knee | 0 to 24 dB | 0 dB | Controls how gradually compression engages around the threshold. A wide knee eases in over a range either side of the threshold. A hard knee (0dB) switches compression on and off sharply. |
Ratio | 1 : 1 to 20 : 1 | 1.0:1 | How aggressively the signal is reduced above the threshold. At 2 : 1, a signal 10dB over threshold comes out 5dB over. At 20 : 1 it approaches limiting. |
Threshold | -60 to 0 dB | 0.0 dB | The level above which compression begins. Signals below this value pass through unchanged. Lower the threshold for more compression. |
Envelope
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Release | 10 to 3000 ms | 150 ms | How quickly gain reduction is removed after the signal drops below the threshold. In VALVE mode this is also modified automatically by signal level. In OPTO mode, the two-stage optical tail adds a long decay after the primary release. |
Attack | 0.1 to 300 ms | 30 ms | How quickly the compressor reaches full gain reduction after the signal crosses the threshold. Note: each character mode imposes a minimum floor - VALVE 1ms, FET 50µs, OPTO 10ms. TRANSPARENT uses the exact value set. |
Makeup Gain
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Auto Makeup | On / Off | Off | Automatically compensates for gain reduction. Locks the Makeup Gain knob. Useful when dialing in threshold and ratio without constantly adjusting output levels. |
Makeup Gain | -24 to +24 dB | 0.0 dB | Gain applied after compression to bring the level back up. When Auto Makeup is enabled, this knob is locked and the plugin calculates the compensation automatically based on threshold. |
Parallel Mix
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Mix Lock | On / Off | Off | Locks the Parallel Mix knob to prevent accidental changes when adjusting other parameters. |
Parallel Mix | 0 to 100% | 100% | Blends the compressed signal with the dry unprocessed signal. At 100%, you hear only the compressed output. Lower values blend in the original, preserving transient impact while adding density and sustain - classic parallel compression behavior. |
Saturation
Parameter | Range | Default | What it Does |
|---|---|---|---|
Drive | 0 to 100% | 0% | Controls the intensity of harmonic saturation added by the gain element. At 0% in VALVE mode, subtle even-order harmonics are still present from compression depth alone. Increasing Drive adds more saturation independent of gain reduction amount. Has no effect in TRANSPARENT mode. |
Licensing
Combo Dyn uses a simple serial key system. After purchase, your serial key is displayed on screen and emailed to you. Enter it in the plugin activation dialog on first launch. The license is stored locally - no internet connection is required after activation. No dongle. No third-party account.
Price: $49 USD - perpetual license, all formats included.