Fuse Audio Labs has announced the VCE-118 Dynamic Range Enhancer plug-in, referencing breakthroughs from the early 1970s with the advent of VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) technology.
A dynamics tool that offers both compression and expansion, the VCE-118 also has a distinctive Linear Mode that allows bending of dynamics as a creative effect.
A ‘vintage’ user interface is centred on VCE-118’s central knob, offering 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. A 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.
VCE-118 provides the punchy compression delivered by early VCA compressor flagships like the dbx 160, as well as expanded dynamic range treatments with effects reminiscent of gates and transient shapers. Its Linear Mode operation takes this further, offering 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,’ suggests Fuse Audio Labs CEO, Reimund Dratwa. ‘Linear Mode is such an advantage when you’re hunting for unusual, extreme dynamic effects, applicable in various amounts with the Mix knob.’
VCE-118 is priced at US$59, and is available directly from the manufacturer’s dedicated webpage, which includes more in-depth information.
