Frap Audio Dynamics 2806

The Dynamics 2806 is a single-VCA mono expander and compressor for the 500-series format. We designed it to handle a wide dynamic gamut in the most straightforward way. The compressor reduces the gain when the sound is above a given threshold, thus reducing the dynamic range; the expander reduces the gain when a signal is below a given threshold, thus expanding the dynamic range (also known as “downward expansion”). The expander and compressor are independent. In both circuits, the signal feeds a filter set and then an envelope follower (rectifier). The resulting control voltage feeds two integrators (time constants) that generate two independent sidechains, both working over the VCA level. The Dynamics 2806’s circuit is light and straightforward, but a few switches in the right spots can dramatically change its behavior, making it suitable for creative compression, transient shaping, de-essing, sidechaining, parallel processing, and any other task that may pop up in the studio.