I'd have liked an Auto setting for handling complex mixes with changing dynamics, but that's about the only obvious omission. The operational paradigm follows the usual Threshold, Attack, Hold, Release format with variable ratio and variable make-up gain. When you first open the plug-in, you see the compressor window, with the familiar compressor controls at the top of the screen along with gain-reduction metering and side-chain access buttons. Most modern compressors work this way, though some early models did derive their side-chain input from the compressor's output. Feed-forward simply means that the amount of gain reduction is calculated based on the signal level present at the compressor's input rather than at its output. The design takes advantage of digital technology's ability to 'look ahead' to anticipate signal peaks, where a feed-forward architecture and logarithmic side-chain processing is utilised to achieve accuracy of control without sacrificing musicality.
The benefit of this is that unlimited backups may be made and the software may be installed on multiple machines, needing only the Powercore unit (or the iLok in the case of Digi systems) to run. Powercore users effectively receive a customised build of the program that will only work on a system hosting their particular Powercore card or Firewire unit, while the Digidesign versions are protected by the now-familiar iLok system.
The Powercore version can be used within host software that supports either VST or Audio Units both Pro Tools and Powercore versions run on OS X and Windows XP, and the Pro Tools versions also work in Mac OS 9. It is available for Pro Tools HD and Mix TDM systems as well as for TC's Powercore card, and also in an RTAS version for Pro Tools LE systems, though the 'Multi' surround mode described later is not supported in LE systems, and external side-chain access is not available on the Powercore version. Sony's Oxford Dynamics plug-in is taken directly from their OXF3 digital console and is based on the same DSP code, offering independent compression, limiting, gating and side-chain EQ sections, each with their own dedicated windows.
If you are still running a 32bit DAW host and would like to continue to be able to use the latest Sonnox releases, along with any new Sonnox products, then an update to a 64bit DAW host required.Sony's Oxford digital mixers are out of many people's reach, but Pro Tools and Powercore users can now get their hands on their sophisticated processing tools. However support will be discontinued for this within the coming year. Windows users will not be as affected straight away, and will be able to run in 32bit for the time being. These are available in the legacy tabs at the bottom of each installer page as pictured below.
32Bit legacy G5 installers for users of macOS Mojave (10.14), and lower are still available for selected products on the installer pages.