Introduction
SignatureDYN is a professional 3-in-1 dynamics processor designed as an AUv3 audio unit extension. It combines a peak compressor, a smooth noise gate, and a brick-wall limiter in a single plugin — covering the complete dynamics processing chain in one insert slot.
The plugin runs inside any AUv3 compatible host on iPhone and iPad, with full preset and automation support, real-time VU metering, and a gain reduction display.
Peak Compressor
Hard-knee gain computer with independent attack and release, based on a peak envelope follower.
Smooth Gate
Exponential gate with 3× slower closing than opening — no clicks, no abrupt cutoffs.
Brick-Wall Limiter
0.1 ms attack limiter after makeup gain — hard ceiling, no transients exceed the set level.
Zero Latency
Zero allocation on the audio thread. Real-time safe for live performance.
Requirements
Minimum iOS: 16.0
Plugin format: AUv3 Audio Unit Extension (aufx)
Host app required: AU EngineCore or any AUv3 compatible host
Getting Started
SignatureDYN is a plugin, not a standalone application. You need an AUv3 host to use it.
In AU EngineCore
NobodysBanda: SignatureDYN from the Effects / Dynamics category.In Other Hosts
Look for SignatureDYN in the audio unit browser under the Dynamics or Effect category, manufacturer NobodysBanda.
Interface Overview
SignatureDYN features seven rotary knobs arranged in two rows (4+3), two VU meters flanking the knob area, and two indicator LEDs.
VU Meters
The Input VU meter on the left shows the incoming signal level with a green/yellow/red scale from −∞ to 0 dBFS. The Gain Reduction meter on the right shows how much the compressor and limiter are attenuating — it fills from the top down in yellow, reading 0 to −30 dB.
Signal LED
A green LED in the top-right corner confirms that audio signal is present at the plugin input.
Gate LED
A yellow LED next to the GATE knob lights up when the gate is actively attenuating the signal — useful for setting the gate threshold precisely.
Knob Interaction
Controls
Row 1 — Compressor
Row 2 — Makeup, Gate, Limiter
Signal Path
Envelope Follower
A peak envelope follower tracks the instantaneous signal level with independent attack and release smoothing. The detected level drives both the gate decision and the compressor gain computer.
Gate
When the envelope drops below the GATE threshold, the gate gain fades to zero using the compressor's attack coefficient. The gate closes 3× more slowly than it opens to avoid clicks and unnatural cutoffs. The yellow LED lights when gate gain is below 90%.
Compressor
A hard-knee gain computer calculates the required attenuation based on the envelope level versus THRESHOLD and RATIO. Gain smoothing uses separate attack and release coefficients for natural-sounding dynamics control.
Makeup Gain
A static gain stage after compression. Applied multiplicatively in linear domain — no additional processing.
Limiter
A brick-wall limiter with fixed 0.1 ms attack. When any sample exceeds the LIMITER ceiling, gain is reduced instantly and released at the compressor release rate. At 0 dB ceiling the limiter is effectively inactive.
Presets & Automation
All seven parameters are fully automatable AUv3 parameters. Any host that supports preset saving can store and recall complete SignatureDYN settings.
Automatable Parameters
Technical Specifications
| Plugin format | AUv3 — Audio Unit v3 Extension (aufx) |
| Manufacturer code | NbBa |
| Subtype | SDYN |
| Compressor type | Peak detector, hard-knee, feed-forward |
| Envelope follower | IIR first-order, branched attack/release |
| Gate behaviour | Smooth exponential; closes 3× slower than opens |
| Limiter attack | Fixed 0.1 ms; release shared with compressor |
| DSP precision | Single-precision (32-bit) float throughout |
| Latency | Zero samples |
| Tail time | Zero (reported to host) |
| Audio I/O | Stereo in, Stereo out (independent L/R processing) |
| Thread safety | Atomic parameter updates; zero allocation on audio thread |
| Minimum iOS | 16.0 |
| Supported devices | iPhone and iPad (Universal) |
Tips & Best Practices
Set Threshold by watching the GR meter
Raise the signal level until the Gain Reduction meter begins to move, then set THRESHOLD just at that point. Compression that only engages on the loudest moments is usually the most transparent.
Attack controls transient character
A slower attack (20–50 ms) lets the initial transient pass uncompressed, adding punch and presence. A fast attack (1–5 ms) rounds off transients for a smoother, more controlled sound.
Release and pumping
If you hear the background level breathing or pumping with the music, the release is too short. Increase it until the GR meter returns smoothly between phrases, not between individual beats.
Gate threshold via the yellow LED
Set GATE to −80 dB first. Play back the source and slowly raise the gate threshold while watching the yellow LED. Stop raising when the LED stops lighting during pauses in the signal — that's your correct gate threshold.
Limiter as safety net
Leave the LIMITER at −0.3 dB as a transparent safety ceiling at all times. Only move it lower if you need a specific loudness constraint for a bus or output.
Starter settings for vocals
THRESHOLD −18 dB · RATIO 3:1 · ATTACK 15 ms · RELEASE 120 ms · MAKEUP GAIN +4 dB · GATE −50 dB · LIMITER −0.3 dB.
Starter settings for drums
THRESHOLD −12 dB · RATIO 6:1 · ATTACK 4 ms · RELEASE 80 ms · MAKEUP GAIN +6 dB · GATE −40 dB · LIMITER −0.3 dB.
Support
SignatureDYN is developed and maintained by Antonio Sorin TASU under the #nobodysbanda brand.
Contact
Website: nobodysbanda.ro
When Reporting an Issue
- Device model and iOS version
- Host application name and version
- Description of the issue and steps to reproduce it
- Whether the issue occurs consistently or intermittently