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Manual

HOFA IQ-Comp
V1.0 / M2

Introduction
The IQ-Comp is mainly a compressor with the usual controls for threshold,
ratio, attack and release. Due to the usage of a highly adaptive behavior of
ratio, attack- and release time the IQ-Comp covers a wide variety of
application.
Besides this, the IQ-Comp has two CompLinkEqs allowing to treat frequency
ranges with a different compression. Other than normal static or dynamic Eqs,
the CompLinkEqs are directly linked to the compressors gain reduction. A static
Eq on the other hand will always apply its gain, while a dynamic Eq depends on
its own sidechain.
An additional sidechain input allows the use of other sources to control the gain
reduction.

The activation process is described in this document, see Activation.

What is What ...


IQ-Comp Sections
The IQ-Comp contains four main sections:
Input/Output section: Adjust levels as well as
the dry/wet ratio for parallel compression.
Gain reduction graph: With activated
CompLinkEqs it also shows the current
frequency processing.

Compressor settings.
CompLinkEqs: Eqs whose gain is controlled by
the current gain reduction.

Input- and Output Trim


Input trim: They have a range of 24 dB. Depending on the set
compressor mode either for left/right or mid/side. For independent
L/R or M/S settings the trim controls can be unlinked.
Below is an input peak display which shows the input level before
the trim controls. The peak displays can be reset by clicking.
If the sidechain is active its level is shown below the input peak
displays.
Output trim: Accordingly to the input trim, but the peak level is
measured after the trim controls.

Dry/Wet: Sets the ratio between uncompressed (dry) and


compressed (wet) signal for parallel compression. The input trim
doesn't affect the dry signal while the output trim affects the
mixed dry/wet signal.

Toolbar
Undoes the last change. If no undo step is available, the text is
grayed.
Redoes the last undo. If no redo step is available, the text is
grayed.
Switch between two IQ-Comp states, enabling the quick
comparison of different settings. The arrow copies the current state
to the other one and switches the states. Each state has its own
undo/redo history.
Openss the presets menu where presets can be loaded or added.
Opens a menu where the CompLinkEqs maximum gain can be set.
Opens the settings menu, also see Menu.
Opens the manual.

Gain Reduction Graph


The gain reduction graphs shows besides
the current full range gain reduction the
frequency dependent CompLinkEqs
processing. If the two channels (L/R or
M/S) are independent, due to an unlinked
parameter, two curves are shown.

Compressor
Following, the compressor parameters are described. For a more detailed
explanation see This and That: Compressor.
Threshold: The level above which the compressor starts working.

Ratio: Controls the intensity of the compression.

Attack time: How fast the compressor responds to level increases.

Release time: How fast the compressor reduces the compression


when the level decreases.

CompLinkEqs
Filter type choice; when no filter type is chosen, the
CompLinkEq is deactivated. Available filters are peak, high shelf
and low shelf.
If active the CompLinkEqs get a pre-delayed signal, thus
responding to gain reduction changes before the compressor
reduces its gain. This allows enhanced processing of transients.
The look ahead time is 25 ms.
Frequency of the CompLinkEqs.

Q-factor of the CompLinkEqs.

CompLink: Sets the dependency of the CompLinkEqs' gain to


the compressors gain reduction. With positive values the
CompLinkEq works against the compressor, resulting in lower
compression in the specified frequency range. Negative values
on the other hand lead to a higher compression.

Parameter Links
Except for the Dry/Wet control all parameters can be linked. If left/right or
mid/side shall be controlled independently the controls can be unlinked. Of
course this doesn't work in the mono version (the plugin automatically
recognizes mono channels).
If the link is closed the linked control (right or side) is disabled.
Link closed: Both parameters are controlled simultaneously. When
the input or output trims are linked, this also affects the peak
display resets.
Link open: The parameters can be set independently.

Miscellaneous
The plugins size can be adjusted to ones preference by dragging the
lower right corner.

Menu

Stores the current settings as default


or loads the default settings. The
default settings include the plugin
size and colors.

Adjust colors of the gain reduction


curves as well as the text of controls.

Switches between the gain reduction


graph range.

Plugin in stereo mode (not available


on mono tracks)
Plugin in M/S mode (not available on
mono tracks).
Use external sidechain. This is only
available in the VST2 plugin. All other
formats use a sidechain input as soon
as it is made available from the host.
Enable mouse over tooltips.
Goes to hofa-plugins.de to check for
new versions.

This and that ...


Compressor
A compressor is generally used for dynamic processing. A signals level is
monitored and will be reduced if the level exceeds a certain level (threshold).
The IQ-Comp contains controls for threshold, ratio, attack- and release-time.
The threshold defines the level above which a gain reduction starts to take
place. The ratio indicates the amount of gain reduction for a given exceeding of
the threshold. For example with a ratio of 3:1 an input level of 3 dB over
threshold causes an output level of 1 dB over threshold. The IQ-Comp's ratio
adapts to the content thus this definition doesn't apply fully.
A compressor doesn't change the gain reduction instantaneously with a level
change. This is to avoid distortion but also for sound modeling of the audio
content. A higher attack time will lead to less compressed transients thus
emphasizing them.
The IQ-Comp's attack and release time are also adaptive, the attack time
ranging from 0.1 to 50 ms while the release can be set between 0 (fast) and
100 (slow). The highly adaptive attack/release behavior enables the IQ-Comp
to better adjust to the current audio content, resulting in a balanced sound.

CompLinkEq
The CompLinkEqs are switchable peak, high shelf or low shelf filters whose
gains are linked to the compressors gain reduction. This enables a
compression-dependent eqing to enhance details or better eliminate unwanted
parts.
The CompLink control sets the amount of gain reduction that is used as Eq
gain, resulting in less overall gain reduction for positive and more gain
reduction for negative values. The CompLinkEq's gain is limited between 0 to
24 dB which can be set in the menu.

Sidechain
For sidechain compression the IQ-Comp has a sidechain input. With VST2 there
are two additional input channels, while all other supported formats (VST3,
Audio Unit, RTAS and AAX) supply their own sidechain implementation.
RTAS and AAX only offer a mono sidechain which sets limits when the two

channels are compressed independently (dual mono or M/S).

Presets
The presets are saved in a xml file along with the default and color settings.
The file can be found at the following locations:
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\HOFA\Presets\IQComp
Windows Vista/7
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\HOFA\Presets\IQ-Comp
OS X:
[username]/Library/HOFA/Presets/IQ-Comp

Notes:

The AppData folder is hidden. If the folder isn't shown it can be typed in
by hand.

The presets are interchangeable between Windows and OS X.

Activation
The plugin's activation is done with the HOFA-Plugins Manager, which is also
used for the installation.
A detailed description of the activation and deactivation process is available
here.

Contact
HOFA GmbH
Lusshardtstrae 1-3
D-76689 Karlsdorf
E-Mail: plugins@hofa.de
Phone : 0049 7251 3472 137
www.hofa-plugins.de

VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

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