AC-1
ADAPTIVE COMPRESSOR
A compressor with built-in audio analysis.
v1.0.0
One-Button LEARN
Play 8 seconds of the part where sound is playing, and the threshold, ratio, attack, release, character and DRIVE are set automatically. Every result shows up on the knobs.
One Plugin, Many Roles
Three compressor types (OPTO, FET, VCA) and four saturation types (TUBE, TRANSFORMER, TAPE, FET) in one plugin. No need to stack several plugins.
Works on Any Source
From vocals, drums, bass and guitar to piano, synths, strings, brass and woodwinds, mix buses and the master. Just choose the type of material, and AC-1 finds the right settings for it.
Product Description
AC-1 Adaptive Compressor is a compressor with built-in audio analysis. The hardest part of compression is deciding where to start, how much to compress, and how fast. AC-1 makes that call from your material. Choose a SOURCE (the type of material), press LEARN and play 8 seconds of audio, and THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK, RELEASE, KNEE, MIX, AUTO GAIN, the compressor type (CHARACTER) and a recommended DRIVE setting are all set automatically. Every value shows up on a regular knob, so from there you can adjust it freely, just like any other compressor.
Features
01
LEARN: settings from your material
THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK, RELEASE, KNEE, MIX, AUTO GAIN, AUTO REL, CHARACTER, and the DRIVE amount and type are all decided from an analysis of your material.
02
SOURCE: just pick the type of material
Pick a SOURCE (Vocal, Drum, Bass, Guitar, MIX and more) and a detail within it (Kick / Snare / Lead / Bus ...) from one menu. No need to hunt through presets.
03
CHARACTER: three types
Choose from OPTO (slow and smooth), FET (fast and aggressive) and VCA (precise and clean).
04
DRIVE: four types of saturation
Choose from TUBE, TRANSFORMER, TAPE and FET.
05
TARGET: set the amount of compression directly
After LEARN, drag the ▼ on the GR ring to set the gain reduction you want (1 to 20 dB). THRESHOLD, RATIO and KNEE adjust together, so the compression lands on the amount you set.
06
Linear phase throughout
Neither the compressor nor DRIVE changes the phase of your signal.
Demo
Drums
0:00 / 0:00
Specifications
- THRESHOLD -60 to 0 dB / RATIO 1 to 20:1 / ATTACK 0.1 to 200 ms / RELEASE 10 to 2000 ms / KNEE 0 (HARD) to 100 (SOFT)
- CHARACTER: AUTO / OPTO / FET / VCA
- LEARN: analyzes 8 seconds of audio, then finishes automatically
- AUTO GAIN: measures loudness during LEARN and matches the perceived level before compression. Keeps tracking as you move the knobs
- DRIVE: TUBE / TRANSFORMER / TAPE / FET. AMOUNT 0 to 100 %
- DRIVE uses ADAA and 16x oversampling (32x for TAPE) to suppress aliasing
- Latency: 44 samples (about 1.0 ms at 44.1 kHz / 0.92 ms at 48 kHz / 0.46 ms at 96 kHz)
- GR ring / IN and OUT meters / clip indicator / level history. Undo / Redo supported
7-Day Free Trial
How It Works
01
Pick a SOURCE
Choose the type of material and its detail from the menu. If you're not sure, the default (Universal) works fine.
02
Press LEARN and play
Play the track and AC-1 analyzes 8 seconds of audio. When it's done, the results appear on the knobs.
03
Finish with the knobs
Use TARGET to set how much to compress, and CHARACTER and DRIVE to shape the tone. From there, fine-tune it like any other compressor.
System Requirements
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit) / macOS 13 (Ventura) or later
- Format: VST3 (Windows / macOS) / Audio Unit (macOS only) / 64-bit
- Internet: Required for serial activation (offline activation also available).
License & Trial
AC-1 is a one-time purchase. Try every feature free for 7 days before you buy.
Choose your source and press LEARN.
Manual
AC-1 User Manual (EN)
Open PDF
Update History / Details
v1.0.0
- Initial release