Audiority LDC2 Light Driven Compander Instruction Manual

Audiority LDC2 Light Driven Compander

Product Specifications

• 17 real-time optical circuit models
• Fixed ratio (4:1) Optical Compressor
• Maximum compressor gain reduction: 40dB
• Fixed ratio (3:1) Optical Expander
• Maximum expander gain reduction: 30dB
• Independent side-chain gain and high-pass filters
• Diode-based preamplifier

(AAX, AU, CLAP, VST2, VST3)
produced by Luca Capozzi (Audiority), February 2019.

Current Manual version: v1.3
LDC2 is an analog-modelled optical compressor and expander with exchangeable optical circuits, a solid-state preamplifier and an output stage, giving you a unique compression character.

LDC2 provides smooth and warm dynamics processing for tracking, mixing, mastering and live performances.
Please, read carefully both product specifications and system requirements before purchasing any Audiority products.

Credits

• Code & DSP: Luca Capozzi (Audiority Srls), February 2019.
• GUI Design: Luca Capozzi

Published by Audiority Srls
Copyright © 2019-2024 – Audiority Srls – All rights reserved.

Specifications

• 17 real-time optical circuit models
• Fixed ratio (4:1) Optical Compressor
• Maximum compressor gain reduction: 40dB
• Fixed ratio (3:1) Optical Expander
• Maximum expander gain reduction: 30dB
• Independent side-chain gain and high-pass filters
• Diode based preamplifier

System Requirements

PC

• Windows 7 64bit or later
• Intel i5 or equivalent
• 4 GB RAM
• Screen resolution: 1024×768
• VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP 64-bit host
• PT11 or higher, AAX 64-bit host

MAC (Intel)

• OSX 10.13 or later
• Intel i5 or equivalent
• 4GB RAM
• Screen resolution: 1024×768
• VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP 64-bit host
• PT11 or higher, AAX 64-bit host

MAC (Silicon)

• macOS 11.0 or later
• M1 or higher
• 4 GB RAM
• Screen resolution: 1024×768
• VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP 64-bit host
• PT11 or higher, AAX 64-bit host

FILE LOCATIONS

Mac

All presets, licenses, IR files and settings are located in:
/Users/Shared/Audiority/

AAX, CLAP and VST plugins will be placed in their own Audiority sub-folder located in:

• AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/Audiority
• CLAP: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/Audiority
• VST: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Audiority
• VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Audiority

PC

All presets, licenses, IR files and settings are located on the:
C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Audiority

AAX, CLAP and VST plugins will be placed in their own Audiority sub-folder, usually located in:

• AAX: C:\Program Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\Audiority
• CLAP: {Your CLAP Path}\Audiority
• VST: {Your VST Path}\Audiority
• VST3: {Your VST3 Path}\Audiority

PLUGIN ACTIVATION

Once you install and open the plugin for the first time, it will be in Demo Mode until a license file is loaded. In Demo Mode, the plugin will output 3 seconds of silence every minute.
You can activate the plugin either OFFLINE or ONLINE.

OFFLINE ACTIVATION
If you purchased the plugin from our site, you should have received an email to download the installers and the license file. Save the license file you got with your purchase email (or via our User Area) anywhere on your computer.
Then, to activate the plugin, click on the Audiority logo and select “Register”. The Registration window will pop up allowing you to load the license file you got while purchasing the plugin by clicking the “Load License” button.

NOTE: If you purchased the plugin from one of our dealers, please check the “USER AREA AND REDEEM CODES” section below.

ONLINE ACTIVATION
If you are registered to our User Area, then you can activate the plugin online.

Insert your Username (or email address), and your password and click the “Login” button. The license file will be automatically delivered to your computer and the plugin will be activated.

USER AREA AND REDEEM CODES

If you purchased from one of our dealers, you should have received an email with a redeem code. This code is required to deposit a license in your User Area account and let you download the license file or activate the plugin online.
If you don’t have a User Area account yet, please follow these steps:

1. Go to https://www.audiority.com/register and fill out the signup form.
   IMPORTANT: Please be sure to register with the e-mail address you use for your purchases, otherwise, your products will not show. Since we use reCAPTCHA for registration only, please temporarily disable any ad blocker you are using .

2. Once registered, log in to your account by clicking the User Area section of our site. Click the REDEEM section of your account and paste the code you received via email from our dealer.

3. After submitting the code, a license will be deposited in your account and will be shown in the “MY PLUGINS” section of your User Area.

4. Now you can click “License File” and save the license anywhere on your computer and ready to be loaded through the plugin registration window. You can also skip this part and activate your plugin online (see previous section of this manual). Selecting “Settings” from the logo menu allows you to change the path for Presets and License folders. Note: Please do not move the Settings folder from its default location.

COMPRESSION AND EXPANSION

Before going deep into optical compression and expansion, let’s have a recap about what compression and expansion are. A compressor is used to reduce the dynamic range, the difference between the loudest and quietest levels of a signal. A compressor attenuates the level of the loudest sounds above a given threshold. This is useful to prevent a sudden level increase in an instrument from jumping out of a mix. Some compressors include a make-up gain circuit to compensate for the gain reduction applied to the signal, bringing up its quieter parts, and making the sound more “sustained”.

An expander is used to INCREASE the dynamic range, by attenuating the level of the quietest sounds below a given threshold. This is often used to reduce the noise floor of a signal.

In both compressors and expanders, the incoming signal is split: a copy goes to a variable amplifier and another is sent to a separate circuit (a side- chain) where the signal is measured and used as a control signal to apply the required gain adjustment to the amplifier.

In optical compressors and expanders, the signal going in the side-chain is converted into light and the intensity of that light is measured by an optical sensor (a sort of variable resistor) that controls the amount of gain reduction. A louder signal means a brighter light so a higher gain reduction.

Earlier optical compressors used a photocell made of an electro-luminescent panel coupled with a pair of photo-resistors. This early technology has the downside effect of being unable to discharge the light from the electro- luminescent panel in a reasonable time, resulting in a nice non-linear compression. Later, the same technology was implemented via an LED (Light Emitting Diode) coupled with a variable photo-resistor, providing more precision and predictability compared to the past, but still retaining a non- linear behaviour. Optical compressors and expanders rely on the response of the photocell to establish the timing coefficients, that’s why most of them don’t have dedicated controls for Attack and Release.

HOW LDC2 WORKS

In LDC2, the input signal goes into a preamplifier circuit that levels the signal by +/- 24 dB. A pair of protection diodes will gently saturate the signal while approaching 0dB and send it to the compressor and, then, to the expander. A copy of the signal going into the compressor is used as side-chain input for BOTH the compressor and the expander, whose independent response is set by the chosen optical circuits. The processed sound is then sent to the output amplifier, where it can be adjusted by +/- 24dB and mixed with the unprocessed signal.

LDC2 – TOOLBAR

COMPRESSOR / EXPANDER PARAMETERS

• SC GAIN Adjust the level of the side-chain signal by +/- 24dB. This will NOT affect the level of the processed audio signal.
• SC FILTER Filters the low frequency of the side-chain signal, altering the frequency response of the dynamics processor.
• COMPRESS / EXPAND Adjusts the amount of compression/expansion applied to the input signal.
• OPTICAL CARD Changes the optical circuit for either the compressor or the expander.

PREAMPLIFIER PARAMETERS

• INPUT TRIM Adjusts the input signal going in the compressor stage by +/- 24 dB. A protection diode will gently saturate the signal near 0dB.
• MIX Balances the unprocessed (Dry) input signal with the processed (Wet) one.
• OUTPUT TRIM Adjusts the output signal coming from the expander stage by +/- 24dB. A protection diode will gently saturate the signal near 0dB.
• INPUT/OUTPUT METER TRIM Adjust the 0VU reference level of the VU Meter. By default the meters are calibrated to -18dB, leaving plenty of headroom for further processing.

RIGHT-CLICK OPTIONS

PARAMETER LOCKING: Each one of the knobs and the optical card menus can be locked so it won’t change its value. This is very useful when you load the plugin on an AUX/SEND channel. To lock a knob, simply RIGHT CLICK it and select LOCK PARAMETER.

CHANGELOG

• v1.3 (March 2024)
  • NEW: Updated Framework
  • NEW: CLAP plugin format
  • NEW: AAX Native Silicon
  • FIX: The Mac installer was asking for Rosetta on Silicon Macs
  • FIX: The Windows installer could erase the User folder when updating
  • BREAKING CHANGE : Minimum macOS version is now 10.13
• v1.2 (March 2021)
  • NEW: Updated Framework
  • NEW: Universal 2 Binary for Apple Silicon Macs
  • FIX: Silence triggered randomly in some configurations
  • CHANGE: HQ is now global (per session)
• v1.1 (November 2019)
  • NEW: Mac OSX Catalina support
  • NEW: Notifications system
  • FIX: Wrong About window size
• v1.0.2 (March 2019)
  • FIX: Mac installer replacing wrong presets folder
  • Minor framework update
• v1.0.1 (February 2019)
  • FIX: Oversampler not correctly initialized on HQ changes
• v1.0 (February 2019)
  • Original release

Audiority Srls – EULA (End-User License Agreement)
The software that accompanies this license is supplied under a license agreement. By installing this software you are agreeing to the Audiority License Agreement. If you do not agree with these terms, do not install the software. All software download purchases are non-refundable. However, if you haven’t downloaded a license file (or used a redeem code), you may obtain a refund within 14 days through the dealer where you purchased the software, or if purchased at any of Audiority’s online stores, by contacting support@audiority.com.

The terms of this license agreement are as follows:

• By installing the software, you confirm your acceptance of the Audiority Srls End User License Agreement.
• This is a revocable, non-exclusive, single-user License.
• This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Audiority Srls and you.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE.
By using the Audiority Srls Software you accept these terms. The Audiority Srls Software may be distributed with software or components from third parties
(“Third-Party Software”). Use of Third-Party Software is also subject to the terms of this EULA.

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   The Software is licensed, not sold, by Audiority or its Third-Party Software suppliers (“Suppliers”) to the original end-user for use only on the terms outlined in the Agreement. If and only if your Software is purchased through an Audiority Authorized Dealer or Distributor, Audiority, as Licensor, grants you, as an end-user Licensee, a non-exclusive license to use the Software (which includes computer software, updates and any bug fixes subsequently delivered and associated media, printed materials and “online” or electronic documentation).

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   The Software may include technological measures that are designed to prevent or detect unlicensed use of the Software. Circumvention of these technological measures is prohibited, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation. Any attempt to circumvent technical limitations may render the Software or certain features unusable or unstable and may prevent you from updating or upgrading the Software.

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   The Software is licensed for installation and use only in the manner it was provided to you, as configured by an automated installation program provided with the Software, or as described in Audiority’s Documentation. You may not separate the components contained in the Software or otherwise reconfigure the Software to circumvent technical limitations on the use of the Software or to exceed the scope of your license.

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9. Feedback.
   Audiority shall have a royalty-free, worldwide, transferable, sublicensable, irrevocable, perpetual license to use or incorporate into the Software any suggestions, ideas, enhancement requests, feedback, recommendations or other information provided by You relating to the features, functionality or operation of the Software (“Feedback”); provided, however, that Audiority shall have no obligation to use or incorporate into the Software any Feedback, and You shall have no obligation to provide Feedback.

10. Registration Information.
    Audiority uses named licenses for its products. When You activate the Software, Audiority may collect your name email address and other contact information that You choose to provide (“Registration Information”). You agree to provide your real full name (or company name) to Audiority to comply with the requirements needed to generate such licenses. Audiority reserves all rights to terminate a license at any moment if the information provided is incorrect and/or fake (pseudonyms, anonymous or fake names like “John Doe” are not allowed) without any notice. You agree that Audiority may use this Registration Information to contact You regarding your purchase and to deliver notifications relative to your use of the Software. Audiority does not collect or retain any financial information from or about You (such as payment card information).

11. License Transfer.
    Except if otherwise stated within this EULA, the Licensee may resell the software to a third party or transfer the software permanently if the Licensee purchased the Software from any Audiority store or any Audiority Dealer. Audiority reserves all rights to deny any requests for the transfer of this license and may institute transfer fees and policies as it sees fit at the time of any request for the transfer of this license if the Licensee purchased the license from another Licensee.
    By transferring a license, the third party agrees in writing with this EULA and Licensee ceases all use of the software, completely removes all installed copies of the software from its computer and – if the software was not purchased via download – deletes or transfers the original data storage to the third party (if Licensee is not obliged to a longer storage by law). NFR (not for resale) copies, including freeware products, free bonus products, and giveaway copies, cannot be resold. Following a respective request fthe rom Licensee via its email address registered with Audiority, and payment of the Transfer Fee, the license file of the Product will be transferred by Audiority to the third party, and at the same tme,, the registration of the Licensee for the software purchased will be deleted. The current and updated Transfer Fee can be found at this address https://www.audiority.com/faq/#1509113035751 -cec03c9c-5c77

12. Excluded Products.
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    This EULA governs any Third-Party Software distributed by Audiority. Audiority may include information about third-party products and services, including links to Web sites run by others. Audiority is not responsible for and does not endorse or sponsor, this third-party information.

16. Miscellaneous.
    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the use of the Software and Documentation and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements, written or oral, regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modification of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of Audiority.

Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, please contact Audiority Srls at info@audiority.com
Copyright ©2010-2024 Audiority Srls. All rights reserved.
Last updated on Jan 25th, 2023

Thank You

We wanna thank you for buying the Audiority LDC2 – Light Driven Compander plugin.
We hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.
If you have any questions, concerns, technical issues or even just say ‘Hello’, get in touch with us at:
info@audiority.com or check our site at www.audiority.com
Cheers, Luca

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Copyright © 2019-2024 – Audiority Srls – All rights reserved.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do I change the optical circuit in LDC2?
  • A: Use the “OPTICAL CARD” parameter in the toolbar to select a different optical circuit for either the compressor or expander.
• Q: Can I adjust the side-chain signal level in LDC2?
  • A: Yes, you can adjust the side-chain signal level using the “SC GAIN” parameter by up to +/- 24dB.
• Q: What is the purpose of the diode-based preamplifier in LDC2?
  • A: The diode-based preamplifier gently saturates the signal near 0dB, providing a unique tonal character to the input signal.

References

• Audiority - Professional Audio Plugins VST, AAX, AU, CLAP
• Audiority
• Audiority - Professional Audio Plugins VST, AAX, AU, CLAP
• FAQ - Audiority
• Register - Audiority
• User Area - Audiority
• Login • Instagram

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