Description

cphn - opty

Smooth optical-style leveling and tube-inspired color for Ableton Live.

cphn - opty is a Max for Live Audio Effect built around the control feel of an optical leveling amplifier: simple peak reduction, smooth gain recovery, musical program-dependent release, and warm tone shaping. It is designed for sources that benefit from gentle leveling, weight, and polish rather than hard clamp-down compression.

What it does:

- Uses a gen~ optical/tube-style DSP core.

- Models slow, musical opto-style gain recovery with program-dependent behavior.

- Adds optional harmonic color and output drive.

- Includes a custom cream-face gain-reduction meter.

UI guide:

- Peak Reduction: sets how hard the optical detector works.

- Gain: makeup/output gain after compression.

- Compress / Limit: chooses softer leveling or firmer peak control.

- Mix: blends processed and dry paths for parallel leveling.

- Color: controls tube/transformer-style density.

- Stereo Link: blends dual-mono behavior into linked stereo control.

- Sidechain HPF: reduces bass-triggered pumping.

- Noise: optional subtle analog-style noise.

- Power: transparent bypass.

- Speed: trims the opto timing feel between slower, normal, and faster response.

Suggested uses:

- Vocals that need smooth leveling.

- Bass that needs steady body.

- Acoustic instruments and synth pads.

- Parallel warmth and density.

- Gentle bus smoothing before a faster compressor or limiter.