LA9B Levelling Compressor | New Plugin Soon

Following the success of my LA9A Levelling Compressor, joining the family of compressors will be the new LA9B Levelling Compressor

Unlike LA9A, which is a ‘clean’ levelling compressor, LA9B adds the option to add some colour to the signal with its transformer saturation at the input and output stages. Enable them to add more ‘warmth’ to the signal.

Drive the input above -18dBFS, and you start hearing that saturation, based on well-known transformer algorithms that give the audio that ‘analogue’ vibe.

Since the main compressor stage is fed the saturated audio, it reacts differently to the LA9A’s compressor.

I’ve also tweaked the Mode A/B values to get better musical levelling. It works great on live drums, guitars and vocals that need a bit of grit.

With the Compressor’s Dial from low to high, Mode A starts with a fast attack and slows down, while release starts short release to a longer release time. Great for vocals, bass, etc. While in Mode B, attack goes from slow to fast attack time, and release goes from longer to shorter release time. Mode B is great on Drums, Guitars and Synths. Mode A and B attack and release times are not symmetrical.

Drive the output stage to add even more transformer saturation. Experiment with having just the input on, the output on, or go for both.

LA9B Levelling Compressor is coming soon as another FREE VST3 plugin from Studio9 Plugins, for Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux.