RECORDING June 2022 - 16

-Review by Bill Stunt
PSPaudioware
Impressor
This dynamics plugin is a masterful
jack of all trades
PSPaudioware continues its impressive run with the
release of the PSP Impressor dynamics plugin. Impressor
doesn't cleave to the design of any particular piece of
hardware. Like many PSP plugins, it offers a wide range of
classic designs bolstered with a modern feature set.
Impressive Feature Set
The inclusive Impressor ethos allows you to tap into the
sounds of classic Optical (Opto), Field Effect Transistor (FET)
and tube compressors as well as modern Voltage Controlled
Amplifier (VCA) styles. It includes extensively configurable side
chain functionality, peak or RMS level detection, a wide range
of threshold knee settings and a customizable output section
that allows you to choose between brick wall limiting and soft
saturation for any + 0 dBFS transients.
First Impressions
A versatile VU meter can be switched between input, output
and gain reduction modes. You can switch on simultaneous
input/output monitoring, and VU reference level settings can
be adjusted in a hidden sub-panel.
The compressor attack time can be adjusted in milliseconds
or automatically with one of four transient sensitive auto-attack
modes. The software can also automatically control the release
time, or you can adjust it manually over a range of ten milliseconds
to ten seconds. You can choose how long the gain
change sustains after the peak with the " Hold " knob.
A screwhead type control is used to select feedback, feedforward
or feedback-forward level detection. Feedback topology
is consistent with Opto, tube and FET topologies, while
modern VCA designs favor feedforward. The " Look " button
applies a slight delay between the sideband and the processed
signal to look ahead for transients when engaged. Switching
between peak and RMS detection allows you to choose
between vintage soft " musical " or modern fast and accurate
" clinical " level control.
Compress to Impress
The Compress knob sets the threshold, while the Shape knob
adjusts both the ratio and the compression knee, ranging from
16 RECORDING June 2022
very gently sloped, low ratios
to hard-knee limiting. A MakeUp
knob with an auto make-up
option helps reclaim gain.
The Frequency knob controls
the center frequency of
the internal side chain. You
can choose between High
Pass, Bell or Equal Power filter
types with a variable Q setting
for the latter two. There
is also an external side chain
that can be blended with the
internal side chain.
Lasting Impressions
Wow. That's as comprehensive a set of dynamics controls
as I've ever encountered. Thankfully the manual and a concise
layout make it easy-to-understand and use. The wicked curated
collection of presets help as well. There is a preset for just about
every dynamics chore you can imagine. Using them as starters
will get you well on your way while providing insight as to how
the various components contribute to the results.
As for the sound, there is so much dynamic variety here it's
hard to know where to start. I have used Impressor on virtually
every instrument, voice and bus in various mixes over the past
month, and the results are...well...impressive! It is phenomenally
versatile-great for subtle gain management (I love it with
my brand new bass), and well suited for aggressive compression
effects. It's also an extremely effective, wide-ranging bus
compressor. The variety of threshold knees, detection types, attack
and release characteristics, and side-chain configurations
allows you to dial in virtually any style of compression you can
imagine, and probably a few you haven't considered.
I've heard Impressor described as a Swiss Army knife
of sorts. I understand the analogy. There are a lot of tools
packed into a tidy package, but I take issue in one regard.
An actual Swiss Army knife has a few gimmick tools-those
tiny scissors, for instance. Impressor is crazily endowed, but
there is nothing here that isn't smart, useful and effective. PSP
has another winner on its hands.
Price: $99 More From: pspaudioware.com
http://pspaudioware.com
RECORDING June 2022

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