I am not sure about plug in versions but hardware compressors usually do start compressing before the meters start moving.

I guess since this plug in is supposed to mimic the API2500, it probably does that part, too.

Thanks!

What do you HEAR? Thats what its doing......Also....switch the metering functions to the input and then compare it to the output in both modes...ie: ON and BYPASS. You want a 'steady-state' on the needles on the output. Since this is 'mastering you'll want it right at zero with little deflection.

Hear...is a good idea, but I fear my ears are not trained well enough for mastering. It certainly sounds better to me when dialing it in, but then the next day I'll second guess myself and start hating it. LOL! Curse of an artist.

Dave, I don't understand: at zero with little deflection? Isn't that close to brickwalling, AKA, Loudness War stuff? I don't want that.

What position is the Manual Make-Up switch in? Some mastering compressors start making up the gain when you adjust the threshold, even before they start to compress.

Manual make-up is off. I usually render the compressor/exciter, etc., and then norm to -1db.