DAFx-2011 - Paris

This paper presents several strategies for designing Dynamic Range Controllers when using a block-based processing scheme instead of sample-by-sample processing scheme. The processes of energy measurement, gain calculus, and time constant selection are executed only once per each new incoming block of samples. Then, a simple and continuous gain update is computed and applied sample-by-sample between continuous sample blocks to achieve good sound quality and performance. This approach allows reducing the computational cost needs while maintaining the flexibility and behavior of sample-by-sample processing solutions. Several implementation optimizations are also presented for reducing the computational cost and achieving a flexible and better sounding dynamic curve using configurable soft knees or gain tables. The proposed approach has been tested and implemented in a modern DSP, achieving satisfactory results with a considerable computational costs saving.

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