Settings & Techniques

Proven settings for specific professional outcomes. All values are starting points — trust your ears and adjust to taste.

Module Reference

Each technique below links to the full module reference. See API5500 EQ, ButterComp2, Pultec EQ, Dynamic EQ, Transformer, and Punch for parameter details and Quick Start settings.

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ButterComp2 — NY Parallel Compression

The “New York compression” technique: heavily compress a copy, blend it under the dry signal to bring up micro-details and room without affecting transients.

Subtle Glue

Setting	Value
Compress	0.42
Output	0.82
Dry/Wet	0.55
Character	Mix cohesion

NY Drums (Classic)

Setting	Value
Compress	0.78
Output	0.90
Dry/Wet	0.33
Character	Room and sustain

Heavy Electronic

Setting	Value
Compress	0.62
Output	0.95
Dry/Wet	0.78
Character	Welded elements

Finding the Blend Point

Start Dry/Wet at 0.25. Increase while listening to the bottom of the mix — the subtle details between main elements. Stop when you hear the mix “fill in.” Usually 0.28–0.45 for drum buses.

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Pultec Techniques

The Pultec Low-End Trick

Control	Value
LF Boost Freq	60 Hz
LF Boost	0.55
LF Cut	0.42

Simultaneous boost and cut creates the classic tight-but-extended Pultec low end. The two filters interact to form a curve no single filter can produce: sub presence without low-mid bloom.

Air and Warmth (Master Bus)

Control	Value
LF Boost Freq	30 Hz
LF Boost	0.25
HF Boost Freq	12 kHz
HF Boost	0.38
Tube Drive	0.15

Guitar Bus Presence

Control	Value
HF Boost Freq	8 kHz
HF Boost	0.45
HF Boost BW	0.60
HF Cut Freq	20 kHz
HF Cut	0.20

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Dynamic EQ Applications

Sub Control (Kick/Bass Bus)

Control	Value
Mode	Compress Down
Detector / EQ Freq	60 – 80 Hz
Q	1.0
Threshold	−18 dBFS
Ratio	3:1
Attack	5 ms
Release	120 ms

Tames sub peaks without flattening sub energy — only compresses when things get hot.

Mud Gate (200 Hz region)

Control	Value
Mode	Gate
Detector / EQ Freq	220 Hz
Q	2.0
Threshold	−22 dBFS
Ratio	4:1

Attenuates the mud zone between drum hits, opening up clarity in the low mids.

Mastering De-Essing

Control	Value
Mode	Compress Down
Detector Freq	7000 – 8000 Hz
EQ Freq	7000 Hz
Q	1.5 – 2.0
Threshold	−14 to −10 dBFS
Ratio	2:1 – 3:1
Attack	3 – 8 ms
Release	50 – 100 ms

Dynamic Presence Enhancement

Control	Value
Mode	Expand Up
Detector / EQ Freq	3000 Hz
Q	1.5
Threshold	−24 dBFS
Ratio	2:1

Expands presence on transient peaks — when the bus gets loud, the targeted frequency range opens up, adding definition to the collective sound.

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Transformer Settings

Neve 1073 Character (Vintage Model)

Control	Value
Model	Vintage
Input Drive	0.35
Input Saturation	0.30
Output Drive	0.20
Output Saturation	0.25
Low Response	+0.3
High Response	+0.1

SSL G-Bus Character (British Model)

Control	Value
Model	British
Input Drive	0.50
Input Saturation	0.45
Output Drive	0.35
Output Saturation	0.30
High Response	+0.3

API Console Character (Modern Model)

Control	Value
Model	Modern
Input Drive	0.30
Input Saturation	0.20
Output Drive	0.15
High Response	+0.4

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Punch Techniques

Transparent Loudness Maximization

Control	Value
Clip Mode	Soft or Cubic
Ceiling	−0.3 dBFS
Oversampling	4×
Transient Attack	0.30 – 0.50
Mix	1.0

Parallel Clipping (More Transparent)

Control	Value
Clip Mode	Cubic
Ceiling	−0.1 dBFS
Mix	0.75

Blends clipped signal with dry signal. Dry path handles transients; clipped path adds density.