Max for Live

Device Details


Overview

Name | Version: GMaudio PentaComp 1.0
Author: groovmekanik
Device Type: Audio Effect
Description: What others have to say about it;

Assesmbler Code/Cirrus Audio
- I've got to say I'm impressed, first impressions is that it's dope! I got punchy, controlled and 'finalised' sounds out of it, very different to the other tools I'm using.

Miro Pajic/MSDMNR
- PentaComp was an insta-buy for me! It sounds super good, especially for mix bus or mastering.

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A compressor from GMaudio has been a long time coming, but it's not until recently that I felt that I had something unique to offer in terms of dynamics processing. My experience as a mixing and mastering engineer, as well as my explorations into the the world of digital signal processing, has resulted in this device; a program dependant, multi-band compressor with 5 bands that can be used to balance groups, enhance details and reduce masking or squish gnarly sounds to perfection.

The audio is split into 5 bands using a 24dB Linkwitz-Riley, filter network. The crossover frequencies frequencies are fixed at 160hz, 800hz, 4khz & 11khz. This is considered ideal for most material, especially full range signals like groups of instruments or full mixes.

The default preset for this device is a blend of my most used settings for mixing groups/stems and mastering full tracks, requiring very little adjustment for almost any signal. The main parameters are 'Device Input', 'Device Output', 'Ratio', 'Speed Multiply' & 'Peak/RMS'.

Metering is limited to save on CPU and reduce clutter but provides adequate insight into what the processor is doing. The green meters are the input level for each band and are shown in dB. The red meters show gain reduction in absolute amplitude, meaning that approximately half the distance down equates to 6dB of gain reduction and past the mid-point to the bottom is another 64dB of gain reduction. This allows us to see small amounts of gain reduction more easily.

Using the 'Link' button you can adjust both the 'Device Input' & 'Device Output' simultaneously, driving more signal into the device, increasing/decreasing the amount of gain reduction while compensating for the changes in amplitude. The 'Ratio' parameter controls the overall amount of gain reduction that can occur.

'Speed Multiply' introduces a unique algorithm which speeds up the attack and release times for each band depending on the ratio between peak amplitude and average amplitude, effectively applying more gain reduction to transients and minimising distortion. This is what makes this multi-band compressor, program dependant and adjust itself to the incoming signal.

'Peak/RMS' defines whether the device uses peak amplitude or average amplitude for the detection circuit, allowing you to focus gain reduction on catching peaks or minimising changes in perceived loudness.

There are two other important features of this device that help maintain natural compression and improve multi-band processing. They are 'Band Linking' & 'Stereo Linking'. These allow you to control the independence of all 10 compressors (5 bands per Left & Right Channel) which can reduce steering (where the focus is shifted and the integrity of the original signal is lost) and help enhance details in the signal.

The rest of the parameters are your standard compressor settings, but for 5 stereo bands. All bands have a 10dB knee, so they start compressing 5dB below the threshold and reach the 'Ratio' 5dB above it. All parameters have Info View text, providing direction for further adjustment if required. Overall the device adds no latency and has very low CPU usage for a plugin of this type. All of the important processing happens in gen~ for efficiency and precision.

Use it to compress your big bass and crazy lead tracks, to balance the frequency content of a group of tracks or on the master as a quick demo mastering preset. Combining this with my Clipper device, another upcoming compressor and a new side-chain tool, mixing gets easier, with better results in less time, meaning you can focus on whats important, The Music!

If you like this device, please rate it 5 stars! Purchasing this device allows me to make more music production tools to help you make better music, faster. 🚀

This device has been tested with both Live 10 & 11 with Max 8.

Happy music making! 💕

Details

Live Version Used: 11.0.2
Max Version Used: 8.1.10
Date Added: May 10 2021 09:49:09
Date Last Updated: May 15 2021 10:12:10
Downloads: 0
Website: https://gum.co/gma-pentac
ⓘ License: Commercial
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Comments

Amazing as always. been using it on everything.
Posted on May 10 2021 by AYA | Report Issue
🙏 Thank you AYA. Glad your diggin it 😊
Posted on May 15 2021 by groovmekanik | Report Issue
Hi! This device seems so interesting, a low CPU usage that works with more bands than the stock Multiband is interesting. I am worried though about the summing back & phase related issues. Do you have any testing on that? Thanks!
Posted on August 11 2022 by HumanJuanChis | Report Issue
Pentacomp V1 uses similar filters to Lives MBdynamics, It cant be used in parallel but V2, which is coming, will be able to be used in parallel. The filters used in V1 are standard crossover filters and work great, 24dB isnt too steep either so the phase shift wont colour the sound too much, its probably negligible for most users or may colour the sound favourably.
Posted on October 01 2022 by groovmekanik | Report Issue
Pairing the PentaComp with the native Ableton 'Utility' and 'Limiter' in this order:

PentaComp > Utility > Limiter makes for a wonderfully clean, quick, 'mastered' sound. You'll need to adjust the settings a bit to meet your mixes requirements, and you'll need to make sure your tracks are EQ'd well. Using the Boba dynamic EQ device on each track prior to the Master channel (also wonderful) works very well.

PentaComp is not a 'corrector', but can make small, beautiful adjustments to the overall sound of your mix. Paired with the Utility/Limiter combo, it's a winner! Looking forward to v2.
Posted on August 21 2023 by NeuroNoNeuro | Report Issue

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