COMPRESSOR — signal-flow flowchart

COMPRESSOR — signal-flow flowchart

Image rep algo 36 · slots 36 · unit 0 (I-RAM load 84) · family dynamics · confidence medium.

compressor: level detector + gain-computer (THRESHOLD/RATIO). NOTE: the old ‘hi12=0xC40 = envelope detector’ reading is WITHDRAWN – C40/C41 is a 13-bit immediate load (analysis/k5-output-stage.md); the detector is here on other grounds

40 words, 10 class-A coefficient multiplies (1 named), 0 instructions still opaque, 14 of 40 not yet decoded. Landmarks detected: 4 C-format immediate load(s).

flowchart TD
    N0["Stereo input (L / R)"]
    N1["C-format immediate loads (C40/C41)<br/>destination register UNKNOWN &mdash; the old 'envelope detector' reading is WITHDRAWN &times;4"]
    N0 --> N1
    N2["nearby controls: THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK SENS., RELEASE SENS."]
    N1 -.-> N2
    N3["VOLUME<br/>output level"]
    N1 --> N3
    N4["REV SEND<br/>to reverb bus"]
    N3 --> N4
    N5["Output (RETURN to kernel epilogue)"]
    N4 --> N5

    classDef io fill:#e8eef7,stroke:#33475b,stroke-width:1px,color:#111;
    classDef proven fill:#d7f0d7,stroke:#2e7d32,stroke-width:2px,color:#111;
    classDef measured fill:#dbe9fb,stroke:#1565c0,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#111;
    classDef inferred fill:#fdf0d5,stroke:#b8860b,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#111;
    classDef open fill:#eeeeee,stroke:#888,stroke-width:1px,color:#333,stroke-dasharray:5 5;
    classDef ctrl fill:#f3e8fb,stroke:#6a1b9a,stroke-width:1px,color:#111;
    class N0,N5 io;
    class N1 open;
    class N2,N3,N4 ctrl;

Classic-topology match

Most likely textbook topology: Envelope follower + gain computer (level detector → VCA).

A rectify/smooth level detector drives a gain multiply; no delay line.

Instruction hint: the threshold/envelope path GATES a class-A MAC (LIVE: COMPRESSOR’s SRC 0x07/ACT 0x15 store MAC does not fire every frame — the threshold conditional).

UI parameters (MEASURED, notes/kn5000-dsp-paramlist.md): THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK SENS., RELEASE SENS., VOLUME, REV SEND.

Per-instruction detail: ../disasm/prog36_compressor.dsm. Confidence legend and method: README.md. Narrative: the MAME development blog, KN5000 effects-DSP series (Parts 78-84). Reference: the project docs site, /effects-dsp/.