The transfer curve window looks a lot like the multiband compressor window in Ozone. At least, that's what came to mind when I first saw it. 



In Ozone, you also have three (optionally four) nodes, defining three (or four) segments, each of which can have its own compression ratio. It's quite a versatile compressor, supporting upward and downward compression and expansion, plus limiting. The graphical UI makes it easy to configure and visualize each channel's behavior.

But we may be confusing ourselves by thinking of TB FIX's controls in compressor terms. Even though it uses familiar parameters such as Attack and Release, and offers a graphical transfer function like a compressor, it's not a compressor. It's an equalizer, and you're not controlling the amount of compression, but rather the gain of a filter. 

Maybe that seems like a subtle a distinction, but it's significant. Whereas a multiband compressor adjusts all frequencies within a band equally, a dynamic EQ applies a varying amount of gain depending on where a frequency falls relative to the center frequency of the band. Conventional transfer functions would seem inadequate to describe something so complex.

I guess I'm trying to justify the unusual characteristics of TB FIX by assuming there is a reason, albeit non-obvious and undocumented, for making the transfer curves the way it does.

Thanks Carl for pointing to the manual.  That may help.


Thanks bitflipper for this ongoing scholarly analysis.  I do not pretend to be able to articulate what you have deduced, but I will say I get what you are saying, and I think I agree.  I see what you mean by the similarity to Ozone.  I think my problem is that I keep trying to see it as a dynamic multiband compressor, but as you say it is a dynamic equalizer that happens to use some of the same features/terms like attack, gain and release and even the makeup gain as a compressor does, but it isn't a compressor.    


    I think I am going to accept what it is and treat it as an esoteric avantguard eq, and enjoy what it does.  I will begin by using its presets to get me started and then just use my ear to see or hear what it can offer by gradual tweaking of those compressor-like but misleading features. 


Again thanks for your effort for us.  I am very pleased to have someone around these forums who can explain rationally and intelligently such an esoteric plugin and do so wiith clear grammar and without condescension.  Your research and your approach to this is very welcomed.

Just perused the manual on this plugin.  It clearly treats it as a compressor through the explanation of how to use it.  And I was just getting to accept it as something other than a compressor.   When in doubt read the manual, but then again....

Version 2.8.6 – Apr 13, 2013

All Windows and OSX plugins have been updated to version 2.8.6; new downloads will be available soon at www.toneboosters.com. Please note that due to the significant changes in TB Flx, the update of this plugin is unfortunately not compatible with earlier versions!

I've been demoing the new version this week. It addresses most of the UI-related complaints users had about the initial release. I found the new version, with its larger display and improved transfer function window, much easier to use.  I still don't think I need it, although I am still digging through past projects looking for track candidates that might benefit from it.