SSL Sourcerer: Expander for Mic Bleed Reduction by Solid State Logic

The core controls are Threshold, Time and Depth, with High-Pass and Low-Pass filters for shaping the detection signal. Three release time settings, Slow, Medium and Fast, let you match the decay of the expander to the natural release of the source so the cutoffs sound less abrupt.

RMS and Peak detection modes give you a choice of response. RMS offers a smoother, averaged reaction suited to continuous sounds, while Peak mode responds to fast transients. Two graphs show the sidechain and filtered signals on top and the threshold levels and gain reduction below, so you can see what the plugin is doing as you adjust it.

Sourcerer offers internal and external sidechain sources. The internal sidechain lets you monitor the trigger signal directly, while the external sidechain lets other tracks in the mix trigger the noise reduction.

The ducking feature covers situations with periods of relative silence, such as panel discussions, or constant background noise, such as performances in front of a crowd. An adjustable ducking delay helps align the ducking with the timing of the source material.