TMT and THD
bx_masterdesk’s all-important compressor is entirely preset behind the scenes, with no user-facing controls for adjusting the ratio, attack, release or knee shape. All of that good stuff is done for you, serving up a suitably gentle compression profile that just feels ‘right’. It’s not entirely singleminded, though, as Brainworx have employed their TMT (Tolerance Modelling Technology) process to effectively supply four different versions of the same compressor by modelling the variations in physical tolerances that you’d inevitably get with a quartet of identical hardware compressors. These variations largely affect the frequency response and time constants, and although the differences are incredibly slight (we’re talking analogue realism here, not sonically disparate ‘modes’), the four models are certainly always worth flicking through to see which works best for your track.
Another interesting feature is the ability to adjust the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) up or down from its default setting of -60dB by up to 20dB either way. The effect that this has is often so subtle as to be literally inaudible, but it can be useful for working in a touch of brightness and drive, depending on the mix.