Apply make-up gain after compression¶
Make-up gain compensates for the overall level lost when the compressor reduces peaks. Adjust the Makeup knob on the TX or RX side so that compressed audio comes out at a consistent, useful level.
Before you start¶
- The Aetherial Compressor (TX) or Aetherial AGC-C (RX) applet must be visible. Each tile stays hidden until its stage is enabled via the CHAIN widget.
- The compressor must be enabled (not bypassed) on the side you want to adjust. Make-up gain has no audible effect when the compressor is bypassed. When a stage is bypassed, the entire applet tile dims to approximately 55 % opacity as a visual indicator that the compressor is out of the signal path.
Steps¶
- Locate the "Aetherial Compressor" tile (TX side) or "Aetherial AGC-C" tile (RX side) in the Aetherial Audio (TXDSP) parent container.
- Find the Makeup knob — the rightmost knob in the five-knob row at the bottom of the applet.
- Turn the Makeup knob to the desired value. Positive values are displayed with an explicit
+sign (for example,+6.0 dB); negative values display without one (for example,-3.0 dB). - Watch the gain-reduction bar while speaking (TX) or listening (RX). A good starting point is to add make-up gain equal to roughly half the gain reduction shown on the bar.
What each control does¶
| Control | Default | Valid range | Persisted setting key |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makeup (TX) | 0.0 dB |
-12.0 to +24.0 dB |
ClientCompTxMakeupDb |
| Makeup (RX) | 0.0 dB |
-12.0 to +24.0 dB |
ClientCompRxMakeupDb |
The Makeup knob uses a linear mapping. It adds a fixed amount of gain after the compressor stage. It does not affect the threshold, ratio, or any other compressor parameter.
Tips¶
- Watch the gain-reduction bar while transmitting or listening. If the bar regularly sits at or beyond the
-6 dBtick, you are applying significant compression; consider adding make-up gain in the+4.0to+10.0 dBrange to recover loudness. - Make-up gain is applied before the limiter stage (if enabled). If you add a large make-up value and the output clips, enable the limiter and set an appropriate ceiling. See Open the full Compressor editor for knee and limiter controls.
- The TX and RX sides store their make-up values independently. Adjusting one does not affect the other.
Troubleshooting¶
- Makeup knob has no audible effect — The compressor stage is likely bypassed. The applet tile will appear dimmed (roughly 55 % opacity) when bypassed. Re-enable it via the CHAIN widget so the compressor is in the signal path. See Bypass the compressor from the chain.
- Output is louder but peaks are clipping — The make-up value combined with your signal level is exceeding headroom. Reduce Makeup, or open the full editor and enable the limiter with a suitable ceiling. See Open the full Compressor editor for knee and limiter controls.