User Manual
Tube-Tech SMC 2B Multiband Compressor
Foreword by John G. Petersen
Intro
User Interface
High Frequency Section
Mid Frequency Section
Low Frequency Section
Output Gain Section
The Lower Panel
Credits
As expected, Softube has again done a great job, when emulating our TUBE-TECH SMC 2B multi band compressor.
It has been excellent received by the beta testers, who are very impressed by the sound of it. We hope that you will enjoy it too.
Tube-Tech SMC 2B is Softube's fully modeled and branded version of the hardware with the same name from Danish company Tube-Tech. The SMC 2B is a stereo multiband compressor that features three independent optical stereo compressors. Combining the effect of 3-band level control with individual compression of the three bands is bound to create pure magic, especially on the main mix bus, but also on sub-mixes like drum buss, instrument groups and single tracks. This compressor is also known for being able to balance vocals and bass heavy instruments by treating each band independently, something a full range compressor would not be able to accomplish.
The Tube-Tech SMC 2B Stereo Multiband Compressor features three independent optical stereo compressors. The signal is divided into three bands (Low, Mid & High) by 6 dB/octave x-over networks with variable frequencies: 60-1200 Hz for Low/Mid band and 1,2-6 kHz for the Mid/High band.
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Using a multiband compressor can be a daunting task, so here's a detailed description of every parameter separately. Note the parameters common to all bands - Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release and Gain - can all be controlled together by shift-clicking on a parameter.
Threshold: This parameter sets the threshold, that is the point where the compressor begins its action. It is defined as the point where the gain is reduced by 1 dB. The threshold is continuously variable from off to -20 dBU.
Ratio: The ratio control varies the ratio by which the input signal is compressed. For example, when the ratio selected is 2:1, and the input signal increases 10dB over the threshold, the output signal is only increased by 5 dB. The ratio control is continuously variable from ratio 1,5:1 up to 10:1.
Attack: Attack times of the SMC 2B are between a minimum of 3ms up to 200ms, although attack time is also dependent on selected release value. Listen! Does it sound good? – it is good!
Release: Release times of the SMC 2B goes from a minimum of 60ms up to a full 2s.
Gain: This is the Gain control that balances the bands against each other.
The SMC 2B's three bands are defined by the two crossover filters that are 6dB/octave each. The high band's boundaries is defined in the lower region by setting the X-Over High knob:
X-Over High: This parameter sets the x-over frequency between mid band and the high band. It ranges from 1,2kHz, at the lowest point, up to 6kHz. Listen to the high band isolated by using the mute-switches in the lower panel.
The Mid band's boundaries are defined by the settings of the X-Over High and the X-Over Low knobs. You can listen to the Mid band isolated by using the mute-switches in the lower panel.
The x-over frequency between the low band and the mid band is variable from either 60Hz to 300Hz or 240Hz to1200Hz using the X-Over Multiplier (see below). Listen to the Low band isolated by using the mute-switches in the lower panel.
X-Over Low Multiplier: This switch sets the range of the X-Over Low knob sweep: at “x1” the range will be 60Hz to 300Hz, while at “x4” the range will be 240Hz to 1200Hz (shown on the panel within brackets).
X-Over Low: This parameter sets the x-over frequency between low band and the mid band. It has two ranges set by the X-Over Low Multiplier switch (see above): either 60Hz to 300Hz or 240Hz to1200Hz. Listen to the Low band isolated by using the mute-switches in the lower panel.
Balance: The balance control is used to compensate for the difference between channel 1 and channel 2. The balance control has the ability to boost either side up to +1,5dB. Note that in Mid/Side mode this knob will change its functionality to slightly tilt the balance between Mid and Side instead of Left and Right (see section on Mid/Side mode below).
Output Gain: The gain control is used to "make up" for the gain loss, which takes place when the unit is compressing. The gain control is continuously variable from off to +10 dB.
Compression In/Out: This switch disengages the filter and compression for instantaneous A-B testing against the dry signal.
Dry/Wet Mix: This parameter enables you to control the relative level between dry signal (unprocessed) and wet signal (processed by the SMC 2B’s circuits) for that perfect blend. The Dry/Wet Mix is useful for easily setting up parallel compression, where a certain amount of the dry, unprocessed sound is mixed into the compressed sound. This achieves a sound where you get the dynamic control and coherence from the processed sound, but still keep a dynamic feel from the original sound source.
The Tube-Tech SMC 2B in our plugin version is enhanced with some features not found in the original hardware and they can all be found in this lower part of the UI panel.
Sidechain: This switch sets the active sidechain mode. When set to Internal ("int"), the SMC 2B operates in normal mode which means that the compression circuits respond to the incoming signal. If set to External (ext), SMC 2B will use an external sound source in the detector circuit. For example, external sidechaining can be used to get an entire mix to “duck” with every hit of a kick drum.
Mid/Side (MS): Mid/Side Enables the Mid/Side processing. In this mode Left channel (CH1) represents Mid and Right channel (CH2) represents Side. Thus will the balance knob in the output section changes its functionality to slightly tilt the balance between Mid and Side instead of Left and Right. Note also that Mid and Side has separate cross-over filter settings.
Link Channels: Link Channels links the parameters of both channels. Please note: when unlinked, it will be possible to compress LR or MS channels separately. It’s recommended to unlink the channels in Mid/Side mode.
Left/Mid and Right/Side buttons: These buttons selects whether the displayed parameters on the main panel work on Left/Mid channel, or on Right/Side channel. You can also copy values between channel by shift+click on a channel button: shift-clicking on L/mid channel button will copy all values from the R/side channel and vise versa. This functionality is only available when linked channels is set to “unlinked”.
Mute switches: These switches mute separate the bands for convenience when setting the cross-over filters' boundaries. Note that the mute switches applies both to left and right sides at once, also both to mid and sides in MS mode.
Kristofer Ulfves – Project lead, user manual
Thomas Andersson – Tech lead, DSP models
Kim Larsson – DSP mentoring
Patrik Holmström – UI programming
Pelle Serander – UI programming
Niklas Odelholm – GUI design
Ulf Ekelöf – 3D rendering
Andreas Mood – Testing, presets
Markus Krona – Qualification
Maxus Widarsson – Testing
Todd Urban – Testing