Vari Mu compressors were a perfect fit at the time as they catered to the specifications of the remote cut-off valve, which was prevalent in the 1940s.Ī lot of Vari-Mu (Tube) compressors are still used in radio production today to provide the distinctive sound people were used to. Since initial AM radio transmissions sounded quite bad when they were distorted, an extremely fast compressor with a high ratio was needed. Tube compressors began being used as a way of controlling the peak audio level that went into AM radio transmitters. The Vari-Mu design dates back to the origin of audio compressors itself. When the input signal exceeds the threshold, the compressor reduces the gain of the signal to prevent it from becoming too loud. The gain reduction is controlled by the input signal level and the threshold setting on the compressor. Vari-mu compressors use a Variable-Mu Tube, which allows the compressor to have a wide range of gain reduction.

Hence, Vari-Mu essentially means variable gain. ‘Mu' (which is originally a Greek word) is an engineering term for gain.

While it isn't uncommon to find tubes in the makeup gain section, Vari-Mu compressors specifically use tubes as their gain reduction element. The tube circuit alters the bias from moment to moment in proportion to the incoming signal, which results in variable gain attenuation. What Is An Vari-Mu (Tube) Compressor? (TL DR)Ī variable mu compressor is a compressor that uses a valve or tube for gain reduction. Are Plugin Emulations of Vari-Mu (Tube) Compressors Good Enough?.What's The Difference Between Optical and VCA Compression?.What Are The Disadvantages of Vari-Mu (Tube) Compression?.3. CHANDLER LIMITED RS124 COMPRESSOR or Royal Compressor Plugin.1. Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter.Scenarios Where Vari-Mu (Tube) Compression Is Useful.Knee Comparision Diagrams Of The Manley Vari-Mu And The UA 1176:.The ‘‘Soft-Knee’’ Feature On Vari-Mu Compressors:.Why Does The Vari-Mu Compressor Sound Different From Other Compressors?.How Does A Vari-Mu (Tube) Compressor Sound?.What Is An Vari-Mu (Tube) Compressor? (TL DR).

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