TK Audio BC1-S - Manual

TK AUDIO BC1-S
Stereo Bus Compressor
Congratulations on buying one of the most transparent stereo bus compressors ever made,
it’s manufactured and assembled by hand in Sweden and thoroughly tested before leaving the
factory.
The BC1-S provides smooth bus compression associated with one
of the most famous bus
compressors from the mid 80’s. Mixing engineers call it the ”magic glue” when transparent
compression strengthens mixes without compromising clarity. The BC1-S provides just that
kind of compression bringing cohesion and punch; equally useful for drum bus and instrument
compression.
The built-in blend control makes it easy to apply parallel compression by adjusting the mix of
dry and compressed signal. A mute switch is provided for muting the dry signal making it
possible to adjust the compression without changing the blend control.
A switchable side chain filter can be applied at 150Hz which makes the BC1-S less
responsive to low frequency energy. The external side chain input makes it possible to have
the BC1-S pump to an external source.
The BC1-S will add the ”magic glue” and make your mixes sound punchy and coherent.
All controls are stepped for 100% repeatability.
THE PARAMETERS:
THRESHOLD: -20dB to +20dB in 41 steps. The threshold adjusts the level above where the
signal is reduced. A lower threshold means a larger portion of the signal will be treated. For
optimal results make sure that the input level is high enough.
RATIO: 1.5:1 / 2:1 / 4:1 / 10:1 / Hard. The ratio determines the input/output ratio for signals
above the threshold. For example, a 4:1 ratio means that a signal overshooting the threshold
by 4 dB will leave the compressor 1 dB above the threshold. At the 1.5:1 and 2:1 setting a
relatively subtle soft knee compression is applied. At 4:1, the compression becomes more
obvious, and at 10:1 and Hard ratio, the BC1-S is basically a peak limiter.
HPF: When engaged a gentle 6dB/octave high pass filter at 150Hz is applied to the internal
or external side chain signal, making the compression less responsive to low frequency
energy. In most situations the HPF button should be engaged.
EXT SC: Engages the external side chain input on the back of the BC1-S. By using the
external side chain another signal can control the behavior of the compressor; most
commonly used by DJs for ducking / lowering the music volume automatically when speaking.
It’s also effectively used for ducking the bass track or background whenever the kick drum hits
by sending the kick track to the external sidechain input. For more information please read
the section about side chain compression.