LevLr

LevLr Compressor / limiter Plugin (AUv3)

LevLr is an audio effect plugin that can run standalone, or in any AU compatible host application such as Logic or GarageBand.

Overview

The LevLr "leveller" is a super simple dynamics processor with just two modes and two controls. If you find tinkering with compression ratios, makeup gain and attack / decay times, confusing or time-consuming, you might like to give LevLr a try, especially as it's free!

Parameters

Active - Toggles the effect On or Off.

Mode - Changes between Comp (compressor) and Limit (limiter) mode. Typically you would use Comp on an individual track, and Limit on a master output.

In - Determines how hard you drive the compression "circuit". As you increase the gain, the compression effect will become more obvious, with an overall increase in perceived volume and "weight".

Out - Allows you to reduce the output in cases where you have the desired amount of compression, but the track is now too dominant in your mix. You generally don't need to adjust this unless your In setting is more than about 6dB.

With so few controls, it's pretty easy to dial-in LevLr to taste, but it also has three very simple presets to get you going:

Default - a general-purpose Comp setting that can help a track sit in the mix a bit better.
Track Compressor - this is heavier / more obvious compression, with a little gain compensation.
Master Limiter - this can work well on a master bus and makes everything seem LOUDER!

That's pretty much all there is to it, but for the technically minded...

The In value is basically the compression threshold, so for example 6dB means compression will kick-in somewhere around the -6dB level. The compression ratios used are 4:1 and 12:1 for Comp and Limit mode respectively. Automatic gain compensation is applied internally depending on the threshold and ratio. The attack time is extremely fast (close to 0ms) meaning that LevLr should handle just about anything you can throw at it without exceeding 0dB at its output.


Please do take a look at my other AudioUnits on the App Store if you can spare the time. Supporting paid apps allows me to release free ones as a little thankyou from time to time. For more info and support please visit:

www.waverley-instruments.com/robjackson