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Side Comp
Headrush Compressor

Side Comp

Inspired by HeadRush® Original

The Side Comp It is an advanced compressor with behavior sidechain-style, designed for:

  • Precise dynamic control
  • Rhythmic effects (ducking/pumping)
  • Modern and clean mix

Main features:

Compression transparent and responsive

Complete parameters (study type)

Ability to create effects rhythmic and dynamic

It is the most “creative” compressor in the HeadRush library

SOUND CHARACTER

  • Very clean and checked
  • It does not color the sound
  • Extremely adjustable
  • Can get rhythmic (ducking)
  • More modern than the DynIII

Control Parameters

ThresholddB

Level above which compression starts:

Lower → more compression

Higher → less compression

Basis of all behavior

Ratio

Compression amount:

  • 2:1 → light
  • 4:1 → average
  • 6:1+ → strong

Determines how much the signal is reduced

Attackms

Activation time:

  • Low → immediate compression
  • High → lets the transient pass

Influences the punch

Releasems

Release time:

  • Bass → fast/rhythmic effect
  • High → smoother

Key for pump effects

KneedB

Compression transition:

  • Low → hard knee (sharp)
  • Alto → soft knee (more musical)
GaindB

Make-up gain:

  • Compensates for lost volume
  • Can be used as a boost

Pro Tips

  • More compression → lower Threshold
  • More punch → increases Attack
  • More pump effect → fast release
  • More natural → knee high

Universal setup:

  • Threshold: -25dB
  • Ratio: 3:1
  • Attack: 20 ms
  • Release: 70 ms
  • Knee: 6 dB
  • Gain: +3 dB

Perfect and balanced sound

Quick Reference

  • Threshold (dB): When compression starts
  • Ratio: How much it compresses
  • Attack (ms): Input speed
  • Release (ms): Output speed
  • Knee (dB): Softness
  • Gain (dB): Final volume

Setup Examples

Transparent compression

Threshold-20dB
Ratio2:1
Attack25 ms
Release80 ms
Knee6 dB
Gain+2 dB

Natural

Controlled funk/clean

Threshold-25dB
Ratio3:1
Attack15 ms
Release60 ms
Knee5 dB
Gain+3 dB

Uniform groove

Ducking / rhythmic effect

Threshold-30dB
Ratio5:1
Attack5–10 ms
Release40–60 ms
Knee3 dB
Gain+3 dB

Pump effect

Lead checked

Threshold-28dB
Ratio4:1
Attack10 ms
Release90 ms
Knee6 dB
Gain+4 dB

Sustain + control