The circuits within this application note feature THAT4301 Analog Engine to provide
the essential elements of voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) and rms-level detector (RMS).
Since writing this note, THAT has introduced several new models of Analog Engines, as well
as new VCAs. With minor modifications, these newer ICs are generally applicable to the
designs shown herein, and may offer advantages in performance, cost, power consumption,
etc., depending on the design requirements. As well, a standalone RMS is available to
complement our standalone VCAs. We encourage readers to consider the following alterna-
tives in addition to the 4301:
Low supply voltage and power consumption: 4320
Low cost, supply voltage, and power consumption: 4315
Low cost and power consumption: 4305
High-performance (VCA only): 2180-series, 2181-series
Dual (VCA only): 2162
RMS (standalone): 2252
For more information about making these substitutions, please contact
THAT Corporation's technical support group at apps_support@[Link].
A Fully Adjustable
Compressor / Limiter
THAT Corporation Design Note 115
45 Sumner St, Milford, MA 01757-1656 USA; [Link]; info@[Link]
Copyright 2002 - 2010 by THAT Corporation; All rights reserved.
Document 600148 Revision 03
This design demonstrates a full-blown compressor/limiter with some neat bells
and whistles. With a THAT 4301 at its heart, excellent performance is coupled with
reduced parts count and minimal cost.
A non-linear capacitor circuit is used to provide low distortion for slow moving
signals, but fast action in the presence of rapidly changing signal levels.
D5, when placed inside OA1's feedback loop by SW2A, creates a conventional hard-
knee threshold response. When SW2A is in its other position, D5 is outside the op
amp feedback loop, and an offset generated by D1 is injected into the summing node
of OA1 that compensates for the D5's forward drop. The resulting "soft knee" is a
consequence of the turn-on characteristic of the diode.
The network comprising R25, R31, and either R16 or R28 combine with the variable
source impedance of VR7 to yield a 4:1 compression ratio when VR7 is centered.
Two timing modes are available -- auto and manual. In auto mode, the output of
VR7 is connected to R16 via SW3. Attack and release rates are linked, and depend
on the design of the non-linear capacitor circuit (see Design Note DN114 for more
design information on the non-linear capacitor circuit).
In manual mode, variable, independent adjustment of the attack and release
dynamics are achieved by setting SW3 to steer the side-chain signal through the
discrete transistor circuitry on the right side of the accompanying schematic. This
circuit consist of a pair of adjustable current mirrors, a diode bridge to steer either
the attack or the release current onto the storage capacitor C18, a FET to buffer the
capacitor's voltage, and a feedback loop to maintain DC accuracy.
Q1 and Q3 are the mirror for the attack current. Q7 reduces bias current errors.
R38, R73, R71, Q1, Q3, and Q7 give linear pot VR2 a logarithmic characteristic for
setting the attack rate.
The release circuitry is a PNP-based, mirrored version of the attack circuitry.
To make a two-channel stereo compressor, one need only duplicate the circuitry
shown and provide a means to link the two RMS detectors at their CT pins*. Such
coupling results in true power summing and a more euphonic behavior. Note that,
when linking detectors in this manner, means to adjust for the +/-3 dB tolerance on
each detectors' 0 dB reference level must be provided.
*See THAT Design Note 116 for more information about true RMS power summing.
THAT Corporation Design Note 115
A Fully Adjustable
Compressor / Limiter
Copyright 2013 Design Note 115
by THAT Corporation Page 2 of 3
All rights reserved. 45 Sumner St, Milford, MA 01757 USA; [Link] Doc. 600148 Rev. 03
THAT Corporation Design Note 115
A Fully Adjustable
Compressor / Limiter
Copyright 2013 Design Note 115
by THAT Corporation Page 3 of 3
All rights reserved. 45 Sumner St, Milford, MA 01757 USA; [Link] Doc. 600148 Rev. 03
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