BlackAsh SC-5: VCA Compressor Plugin by Black Rooster Audio

Black Rooster Audio says the BlackAsh SC-5 uses real-time SPICE-type component-based circuit simulation to capture the analog counterpart. The developer states that the custom VCA design, the dual time-constant detector circuit, the feedback compressor loop and the audio path were all modeled.

The plugin is a feedback compressor with a fixed threshold, so more compression comes from raising the input gain. Output level changes with the input, but holding the right mouse button while dragging the input gain knob adjusts the output gain so the perceived level stays roughly the same. This makes it easier to compare settings without a level jump.

The BlackAsh SC-5 includes an external sidechain input, engaged with the "Ext SC" button. Because feeding a sidechain into the feedback loop would change the compression behavior, the developer routes the sidechain signal through a mirror VCA that modulates the audio. The developer says feedback operation is kept in both normal and external sidechain modes.

Oversampling is set automatically to match the session sample rate. The developer says it uses a low-latency linear-phase Dolph-Chebyshev polyphase design to reduce aliasing while saving CPU.