Window-gated level measurement with smooth, transparent gain riding — ensuring consistent drive into the compressor regardless of how wildly source levels vary. The first ProcIQ-supervised stage in the chain.
The AGC uses a window-gated measurement system that analyzes input level over a carefully tuned time window — long enough to ignore momentary transients and short enough to respond to real level changes within seconds. Unlike simple RMS detection, window-gated measurement distinguishes between intentional dynamics (a drum hit, a vocal accent) and actual level shifts (a new source from automation, a satellite feed transition). Once a true level change is detected, the AGC applies smooth, logarithmic gain adjustment that rides the level up or down without audible artifacts. The transition is seamless — no pumping, no breathing, no sudden jumps. ProcIQ supervision adds intelligence: the system learns the behavior of your programming and adjusts its response to match the content, not just the signal.
In broadcast, source levels are chaos. A hot music track at −6 LUFS is followed by a national spot normalized to −24 LUFS. A live feed from the field comes in 15 dB below the studio mic. A satellite network feed transitions between programs with wildly different production standards. Without AGC, the compressor downstream would be over-driven on one source and barely touching the next — producing inconsistent density, unpredictable loudness, and constant operator intervention. The AGC tames this chaos before it reaches the compressor, ensuring that Stage 7 always receives audio within its optimal input range. The result is consistent, predictable compression behavior regardless of what the automation system, traffic department, or network throws at the processor.
The AGC is where MixBus Platinum's ProcIQ intelligence first enters the signal chain — and the difference is immediately audible. Traditional AGC circuits use fixed time constants that work well for some material and poorly for others. ProcIQ-supervised AGC adapts its attack, release, and hold characteristics based on real-time content analysis. Speech gets faster response to track natural level variations. Music gets slower, more graceful gain riding that preserves intentional dynamics. Transitions between content types are handled with crossfade-style blending that prevents the jarring artifacts of sudden parameter changes. The output consistency is remarkable: less than 0.5 dB of level variation across wildly different source material, with zero audible processing artifacts.
Consistent levels from chaotic sources — automatically, transparently, and supervised by AI.