IPA 25: VCA Dynamics Processor Plugin by Pulsar Audio

IPA 25 provides four circuit types: Clean VCA for transparent control, the Original VCA setting for a punchy and precise response, V-Mu for tube-inspired saturation that adds bloom in the low-mids, and N-Diode for asymmetrical clipping that adds grit and pushes the midrange forward.

The developer says the harmonic behavior is applied at the gain-reduction stage rather than as distortion added after processing. Each mode is gain-matched, so you can switch character without rebalancing the mix. A drive control lets you dial in how much of the harmonic effect you want.

The sidechain has a Punch selector with NORM, MID and LOUD modes that shift detector focus across the spectrum. A visual sidechain EQ with four bands lets you choose which frequencies drive gain reduction. Stereo linking controls how channels share reduction, and an external sidechain input supports ducking and pumping effects.

The clipper and limiter can be placed pre-compressor, pre-mix or post-mix. Lookahead and lookbehind timing modes let you choose between smooth peak anticipation and transient-preserving punch, and feedforward or feedback detection changes how harmonics feed the detector.