DynamicEcho

dynamicEcho is a dynamic delay plugin where gain reduction analyzed in the compression section drives the behavior of the delay engine. Unlike traditional static or dynamic delays limited to the level of the processed signal, DynamicEcho allows gain reduction to control multiple delay parameters simultaneously, each with independent depth and direction.

The result is an organic delay that reacts musically to the intensity of the signal — producing clean transients and expressive echoes that evolve with the dynamics of the performance.

Main Architecture

• Compressor / Gain Reduction Detector.
• Dynamic Delay Engine.
• GR Link Controls.
• Filtering and Mix Section.
• Visual Monitoring.

Together these sections allow the delay to adapt its behavior in real time to the incoming signal dynamics.

Compressor Section

The compressor acts as standard compressor or only as gain-reduction detector used to drive the dynamic behavior of the delay engine:

• Sidechain Button – When enabled, the compressor analyzes the signal received through the external sidechain input.
• Threshold – Sets the level above which compression begins.
• Ratio – Determines the amount of compression applied when the signal exceeds the threshold. Even when Ratio is set to 1:1, gain reduction detection remains active.
• Attack – Controls how quickly the compressor reacts when the signal exceeds the threshold.
• Release – Controls how quickly compression returns to unity gain after the signal falls below the threshold.

Dynamic Delay Section

The delay engine generates the spatial echo effect and can be dynamically shaped by the GR (Gain Reduction) Link system:

• Stereo Input / Mono Input – Select whether the incoming signal is processed in stereo or averaged to mono before entering the delay engine.
• Warp Mode – Adjust the signal on the right channel relative to the left:
  • Stereo for wider, layered echo effect.
  • Ping-Pong for bouncing delays across stereo channels.
• Sync to Host – When enabled, the delay time follows the host tempo.
• Delay Time – Sets the delay interval.
• Feedback – Control the amount of signal sent back into the delay line to create longer or shorter decays.
• Pan Width – Adjusts the stereo spread of the delay signal.

GR Link Section

The GR Link system allows compression gain reduction to dynamically modify delay parameters. Multiple parameters can be linked to gain reduction simultaneously, each with independent depth and direction:

1. Controls
   • GR Feedback Link – Controls how gain reduction affects the Feedback parameter.
   • GR Wet Link – Controls how gain reduction affects the Wet signal (delayed signal) level.
   • Link Attack – Determines how quickly linked parameters react to gain reduction.
   • Link Release – Determines how quickly linked parameters return to their base values.
2. Link Behavior
   • Positive Link – Feedback and Wet increase from the knob value up to 100% as gain reduction increases.
   • Negative Link – Feedback and Wet decrease from the knob value down to 0% as gain reduction increases.
3. Linked parameters move between their knob base value and their minimum or maximum range depending on link polarity.

Filter and Mix Section

• Filter – Shapes the tonal character of the delay signal.
• Dry Mix – Controls the level of the original signal.
• Wet Mix – Controls the level of the processed delay signal.

Visual Monitoring

dynamicEcho includes real-time visual feedback to help users understand how the system reacts to the incoming signal:

• Input Signal Meter – Displays the incoming audio level.
• Gain Reduction Meter – Shows the amount of Gain Reduction parameter for linking or compression.
• Feedback Meter – Displays the actual Feedback value after GR Link modulation.
• Wet Meter – Displays the actual Wet level after GR Link modulation.

Key Concept

Traditional dynamic delays usually control only the wet level. dynamicEcho introduces a more flexible system: Gain Reduction Multi-Parameter Dynamic Control

By linking gain reduction to delay parameters such as Feedback and Wet, dynamicEcho creates organic delays that breathe, expand, and contract with the dynamics of the music.