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Using the Smashup
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Type Select Switch
The up/down [TYPE] rocker switch on the right side of the unit
selects the type of compression used by the Smashup. The LEDs
next to the switch light up to indicate the current Type.
The Smashup contains six different compression styles. Some are
modeled after the operation of classic analog compressor/limiters,
and others are totally unique. Each Type has its own unique sound
and effect on the other controls, though the differences may be
subtle at first.
Each Type has its own compression ratio (the amount of gain
reduction applied when a signal rises above the threshold), hard
knee/soft knee setting, detector characteristics, attack and release
curves, and distortion characteristics. These have been carefully
developed to give you the most useful compressor sounds, without
having to set eight different controls.
There’s no way to adequately describe all the characteristics of the
complex digital compression algorithms developed by Alesis
engineers, so after you’ve read the following descriptions be sure
to try each one with several different audio sources:
Classic
This is the standard VCA-style compressor sound, as found in
classic units like the dbx™ 160. The compression ratio is 4:1, but
it has a very soft knee setting and a slightly nonlinear release.
Classic mode is great for taking the peaks out of vocals with a fast
attack, or to get a clean sustain on guitar or bass while still
preserving some dynamics.
Opto
The first compressors regulated the audio level by using an optical
system. A light got brighter at higher input levels, and this light
shone on a photoresistor that reduced the output level. The most
famous of these devices, the Tektronix™ LA-2A, is still a prized
possession of many studios. Optical compressors have a very
particular sound to them. Because the lamp filament takes a
moment to get to full brightness, they naturally have a slower
attack than other compressors. In OPTO mode, the Smashup
emulates the sound of these units. In particular, the attack time is
not as quick as in other types, even at the minimum setting. The
ratio is 6:1 with a soft knee setting; it is useful for classic vocals
and drum sounds.
Transparent
When you want compression without any side effects, use
TRANSPARENT mode. In this mode, the compression ratio is a
more subtle 2:1 with a soft knee, and it emulates a clean, solid-state
output driver circuit with no coloration. Even at extremely low
settings of [THRESHOLD], gain isn’t reduced as much as it is in
other types.