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HoRNet VCA offers a comprehensive and versatile toolkit for controlling track levels, designed to give audio engineers and producers a wide range of dynamic control options. At its core, HoRNet VCA functions as a Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA), which uses an external control signal provided via the sidechain input to manage the level of the audio signal. This makes it a powerful tool for adjusting the dynamic range of a track, whether you’re looking for subtle adjustments or more noticeable changes in volume.
Starting with this fundamental VCA functionality, HoRNet VCA expands its capabilities by offering additional features that make it far more than just a basic amplifier. One key addition is the inclusion of an envelope follower for the control signal, which allows you to modify how the VCA reacts to the incoming audio signal. With attack and release controls ranging from 1ms to 3000ms, you can shape the VCA’s response to fit your specific needs. Whether you require a quick, snappy adjustment for fast transients or a slower, more fluid response for smoother transitions, the attack and release settings give you full control over the dynamic behavior of the VCA.
In addition to the envelope follower, HoRNet VCA also incorporates an RMS module that enables more precise control over the average loudness of the audio signal. By analyzing the signal using the RMS detection method, the VCA can apply more consistent and transparent level adjustments, ensuring that your audio retains its natural feel while still benefiting from dynamic control.
The VCA itself becomes active only when the control signal exceeds the set threshold, which can be adjusted from -80dB to 0dB. This threshold ensures that the VCA won’t engage unless the audio reaches a certain level, which can be particularly useful for targeting only the louder sections of a track or preventing unwanted compression on quieter passages. Once the signal passes the threshold, positive or negative gain is applied, and this gain can be further adjusted using a specific control to scale the amount of gain applied to the signal.
One of the standout features of HoRNet VCA is its ability to be transformed into a complete compressor or expander. You can use either the input or output of the VCA as a control signal to create feedback or feedforward compression/expansion. This flexibility allows you to turn the VCA into a fully-fledged compressor or expander, giving you even more dynamic control over your tracks. Whether you’re working with high-energy sections that require tight control or quieter sections that need expansion, HoRNet VCA can easily handle it all.
To summarize, HoRNet VCA is a highly flexible and feature-packed plugin that functions in several different ways:
A volume control tool with optional RMS detection and attack and release settings.
A feedforward compressor with optional RMS detection and external sidechain.
A feedback compressor with optional RMS detection and external sidechain.
An expander with optional RMS detection.
These multiple modes make HoRNet VCA an essential tool for anyone looking to achieve precise dynamic control over their tracks, whether you’re aiming to smooth out volume fluctuations, create subtle compression effects, or apply more drastic expansion. With its array of features and easy-to-use interface, HoRNet VCA is an invaluable asset in any producer’s toolkit.
