Empress Effects ECM-519 User Manual

ECM-519

compressor

Introduction

We've strived to design a feedback FET compressor with

personality, that can excel where plug-ins fall short and

seamlessly integrate with your DAW to add some often needed

analog warmth. The pleasing FET harmonic distortion, and

some transformer saturation options really help to add that

analog character.

This compressor is extremely versatile. It's great on aggressive

time settings and applying a lot of gain reduction, but can also

be extremely transparent. The auto modes engage two

completely separate side-chain circuits that change the way the

compressor behaves, giving you sounds that aren't possible with

conventional attack and release settings.

True bypass switching makes meaningful comparisons against

the original signal quick and easy, and parallel compression is

only a knob twist away. Happy squishing!

- Jason Fee

The Basics of Compression

Compression works by narrowing the difference between high
and low audio levels by reducing the gain of any signal over the
threshold. By doing this at specific time constants, compression
can add consistency, sustain, punch, detail, definition and
personality to your tracks.

The ratio determines how
much gain reduction will be
applied to the signal once it
crosses the threshold. At a 3:1
ratio, for every 3dB of input
signal above the threshold,
there will be 1dB of output
signal. A 12:1 ratio would
output 1dB for every 12dB of
input signal, etc.

Attack controls how quickly the gain reduction will begin after a

signal has crossed the threshold. Release controls how long it

takes for the compressor to return to its initial level after the
signal drops below the threshold.

Quick Start Settings

Vocal Tracking

Drum Buss Smashing

This setting is great for

controlling the dynamics while

tracking. The auto mode

handles the attack and release

times, so setup is super fast.

This adds a ton of character to
your drum buss. Set the input

level for 25dB of reduction.

Mixing in some dry signal

keeps transients intact.