OPTO
Opto gently evens out a voice or piano performance and adds a little warmth. Choose it over Compressor when you want steadier phrases while letting the starts of notes through more gently.
Controls
AMOUNT
- Range
- 0% to 100%
- Default
- 40%
Turns up how strongly Opto reacts to the performance, holding louder passages back as you raise it. Listen for words or chords sitting together without losing the rise and fall of the phrase.
GAIN
- Range
- -12dB to +12dB
- Default
- 0.0dB
Sets the level of the processed sound after Opto has held the loud passages back. Raise it to recover lost volume, or lower it to feed the next effect more quietly.
MIX
- Range
- 0% to 100%
- Default
- 100%
Blends the leveled, warmed sound with the unprocessed recording. Lower it if you want some of the original movement back without giving up the steadier sound completely.
MODE
- Steps
- COMP ยท LIMIT
- Default
- COMP
COMP gives gentle leveling, while LIMIT holds loud passages back more firmly. LIMIT still follows the phrase; it is not a substitute for Master's true-peak ceiling.
EMPHASIS
- Range
- 0dB to +10dB
- Default
- 0dB
Makes bright notes and esses trigger more compression without directly boosting the treble you hear. Raise it when the upper part of a voice or piano jumps forward too much.
Start here
For a vocal or piano recording, start with AMOUNT at 40%, GAIN at 0.0dB, MIX at 100% and MODE at COMP. Raise AMOUNT until the louder phrases sit comfortably beside the softer ones, then ease it back if the performance feels held down.
Questions
Why does Opto stay quieter after a long loud phrase?
Opto releases some of its compression quickly and the rest more slowly. After a sustained loud passage it takes longer to recover, helping the level move with the phrase rather than jumping between notes.
Can Opto catch a sharp guitar pick?
It can soften it, but Compressor is the better choice when the first hit needs firm control. Opto is more useful for evening out the body of the playing.
How do I keep a vocal natural?
Try AMOUNT at 30% and MODE at COMP, then listen through a whole phrase. If the quieter words still feel pulled down, lower AMOUNT or blend MIX back to 70%.