Convergence

[Larry Shelby]

The free version of Convergence is a multi-band compressor that offers up to 4 bands of compression (the full version offers up to 10). The crossover frequency can be set for each band and controls are linked by default but can be unlinked.

It features a useful input vs output history for each view, which makes it visually informative. The transfer curve is disabled but still seems to work while greyed out. Be aware that it’s quite easy to generate distortion, the time constants are unlabelled and sound fast to me. Take care when setting it up!

Key Features

Up to 4 bands of compression

Adjustable crossovers

Bands can be added or removed

Attack/Release envelope visualizer

Compression Curve visualizer (Disabled)

Gain Reduction over time visualizer

Oversampling up to 2x

Linkable controls

Soloable bands

The Compressors

Convergence uses crossover filters with -6dB gain at the crossover frequency that sum together to create a perfectly flat frequency response.  These -6dB crossovers also introduce the least amount of phase shift possible while still being low on CPU usage. The compressors are designed to have a digital feel to their attack and release timing to be as precise as possible.

The Displays

Convergence comes with several displays that are fine-tuned to help you visualize what effect your tweaks have on the incoming audio.  The main display is a spectral analyzer with controls to adjust the crossovers for each band. This allows you to easily dial in the frequencies based on which frequencies are most prominent.  Each band also has an envelope display, a compression display, and a gain reduction display. The envelope display helps give you an idea of how the attack and release times will affect the compression.  The compressor display shows how the threshold and ratio controls will affect the compression as well by graphing input versus output levels. Finally, the gain reduction display shows input levels and output levels over time so that you can easily see transients and how they are being affected by the compressor.

Soloable Bands

One of the most useful features of Convergence is the ability to solo bands. You can simply hold down the Control key and left-click a band to solo it to really dial the compressor settings. Multiple bands can be soloed simultaneously.

Free Version

This plug-in is also available as a free version, which works exactly the same as the full version except that it is limited to 2-4 bands rather than the 2-10 that the full version boasts.  The other limitations of the free version are that oversample is only available up to 2x and the compression display is disabled. Try it out now to see the power of this compressor for yourself!

How To Get Convergence

GET CONVERGENCE