module-fgstress

The FG-Stress module offers all the controls from the EL8 Distressor, plus an additional Mix knob to blend between dry and wet signals.

Input

Input Gain before the compressor, going from 0 to 10.5. Increasing this parameter will result in more compression. Default value is 5.

Attack

Controls the speed at which compression occurs after the signal has exceeded the threshold value. Attack time goes from 0 to 10.5, with default value at 5.

Release

Controls the speed at which compression stops, once the signal has fallen below the threshold value. Release time goes from 0 to 10.5, with default value at 5.

Output

Output Gain after the compressor, going from 0 to 10.5. Use this parameter to compensate the gain reduction introduced by the compression. Default value is 6.5.

Ratio

Ratio defines the amount of gain reduction. For example, if the Ratio is set to 4:1, this means for input level 4dB over the threshold, 1dB will be output. Default Ratio is 6.

NUKE Ratio has a limiting curve, meaning that any input level over the threshold will be clipped.

Shortcuts

  • Moving the Input or Output Knob while holding the Shift key inversely links the two controls. It is very useful with 1:1 Ratio to use the module as a line driver.

  • Switch to higher Ratios by left-clicking on the Ratio button

  • Switch to lower Ratios by right-clicking on the Ratio button

  • Switch to any Ratios by clicking on the Ratio LED

  • Trigger the Opto Mode (Attack 10 and Release 0) by holding the Shift key when clicking on the Ratio 10:1 LED

Detector

Activate one of these detector modes to modify the sidechain signal:

  • HP: Add a 86 Hz high-pass (6dB/oct) to stop low frequency modulation.
  • Bell: Push a 6 kHz bell to increase the compression sensitivity in the mids.
  • Link: Combine Left and Right inputs before feeding a single mono signal to the detector, therefore the same GR is applied on Left and Right. Please note that this mode is effective with stereo tracks only.

Audio

Activate one of these audio modes to modify the overall output signal:

  • HP: Add a 80 Hz high-pass (18dB/oct) to smoothly attenuate lows.
  • Dist 2: Add a 2nd harmonic in the compressed signal.
  • Dist 3: Add a 3rd harmonic in the compressed signal.

Please note that Dist 2 and Dist 3 cannot be on at a time, thus 5 states are available:

  • HP
  • HP + Dist 2
  • Dist 2
  • Dist 3
  • HP + Dist 3

Mix

Blends between dry and wet signals.

External Side-Chain

FG-Stress is a compressor with a fixed threshold; you normally increase the Input Gain to apply more compression to the sound without causing a corresponding drop in output volume. When using the External Side-Chain, it is the Side-Chain Gain that will determine the amount of compression on the signal; increasing the Side-Chain Gain will increase the compression, but the sound may drop in overall volume if you don’t also increase the Input Gain manually. Input Gain itself has no impact on the compression amount when using the External Side-Chain.

Visual Indicators

GR Meter

The GR meter has 16 LEDs and is scaled in dB.

In Stereo, without Link engaged (true Stereo operation), the GR meter displays the maximum GR of both channels. In other cases (Mono or Stereo + Link), there is only one GR signal so no need to specify.

Distortion Indicators
  • REDLINE
  • 1% THD From 0.25% of the Total Harmonic Distortion, the yellow LED 1% THD lights up, and from 3% of the THD, the REDLINE lights up and 1% THD goes off. This indicator is especially useful when the Audio Distortion options are enabled and/or when the compressor is off (1:1 Ratio).