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Get Seventies-Vintage Dynamics
Fuse Audio Labs' VCE-118 Dynamic Range Enhancer is straight out of the 1970s.
Fuse Audio Labs revealed its VCE-118 Dynamic Range Enhancer plugin as a unique dynamics tool — turning to breakthroughs that took place in the early Seventies with the advent of VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) technology that cemented the reputation of the vintage device from which it draws its inspiration; indeed, a secret weapon reliant on a distinctive ratio implementation that enabled both compression and expansion, combined with a distinctive linear mode acting as powerful fuel for bending dynamics as a creative effect.
Dominating its familiar-looking ‘vintage’ GUI, VCE-118’s central knob offers compression ratios ranging between 1:1 and ∞:1 or expansion between 1:1 and 1:2, while the intensity of the effect can be tweaked with the THRESHOLD control. An all-important ‘mode’ button switches between regular gain reduction or expansion, whereby only ABOVE THRESHOLD levels are processed, to LINEAR operation, affecting the full level above and below the threshold.
Helpfully, VCE-118 provides the ultimate punchy compression known from early VCA compressor flagships like the famous ’160, but does not simply stop there since its expanded dynamic range surprises with intriguing effects reminiscent of gates and transient shapers. Indeed, its LINEAR operation can take this even further, venturing, for instance, into the sonic realms of heavily pumping beats or dead silent ambience.
“VCE-118 is nothing short of a giant in disguise; it can slam your drums into oblivion while within a second it can become a great punch enhancer — if used sparingly in parallel.” So suggests Fuse Audio Labs CEO Reimund Dratwa, drawing to a close with, “LINEAR mode is such an advantage when you’re hunting for unusual, extreme dynamic effects, applicable in various amounts with the all-important MIX knob.”
VCE-118 is available at an attractive 50%-discounted introductory promo price until April 29, 2024 .
Note that 14-day trial versions of all Fuse Audio Labs plugins without any restrictions are also available to download for free.