feat(patina): per-band compressor gain stage with Threshold, Ratio and Knee

Tester feedback asked for a threshold and a ratio. Each band now cuts like a
small compressor: Threshold (dB above the local floor) replaces Selectivity,
Ratio scales the cut per dB above it (inf:1 is the old behaviour), and a
Soft/Hard knee switch sets the curve. A small graph shows bump height in, cut
out. Mix and Output move to the slider panel so the detection panel fits.
common-ui gains rotary_text for knobs with custom value text.

docs/ideas.md

@@ -237,7 +237,19 @@ one period of the note, so heavy settings do not ripple at f0. See [Planish](pla
 - **Knurl**: velocity or note selects the pattern. Stereo grit above a split
   only. Drift (planned for 0.3).
 - **Patina**: Tone guard (done, Patina 0.4.0). MIDI as its pitch source. M/S
-  processing.
+  processing. Threshold, Ratio and Soft/Hard knee from tester feedback (done,
+  unreleased 0.5.0). Next, from the same feedback round:
+  - An absolute level gate (dBFS) so quiet passages are never cut, if the
+    tester meant a loudness threshold rather than a prominence threshold.
+  - Narrow rings on dense or noisy material are under-read: a +12 dB ring
+    (Q 25) on noise reads only 3–6 dB above the floor, so it is cut by 1–3 dB.
+    Two causes, measured: the joined-tops envelope lifts the floor to the noise
+    peaks (about 5 dB above the noise mean), and envelope smoothing loses about
+    3 dB on a narrow ring. A floor that follows Sharpness (1/3–2 octaves) was
+    tried and rejected: it lost a resonant lowpass, absorbed broad bumps and cut
+    plain harmonic tones. Better candidates: join tops only across deep gaps
+    (harmonic spacing), or a mean-based floor for noise-like regions.
+  - A finer analysis grid (1024 cells) for narrow rings at high frequencies.
 - **Weld**: delay spread display (done, Weld 0.3.0). A *gentle* fit option
   that keeps the delay spread under a limit, for plucky layers. Alignment slots
   per note or per switch-up. The External

docs/patina/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,22 @@
 # Patina changelog
 
+## Unreleased (0.5.0)
+
+- Each band now works like a small compressor. Add **Ratio** (1:1 to ∞:1,
+  default ∞:1): low ratios leave small bumps nearly alone and still cut big ones
+  hard. ∞:1 is the old behaviour.
+- Replace Selectivity (%) with **Threshold** (0–18 dB above the local floor,
+  default 3 dB, which equals the old default of 50 %).
+- Add a **Soft/Hard knee** switch. Soft widens the knee from 3 dB to 6 dB;
+  Hard uses a 1 dB knee and half the Attack time.
+- Show the gain curve (bump height in, cut out) under the knobs.
+- Mix and Output move to the slider panel under the plot.
+- Retune the Vocal harshness, Snare ring, Bright synth and Bass line presets
+  with Ratio and more Depth.
+- Breaking: FL Studio projects saved earlier load Threshold, Ratio and Knee at
+  their defaults. Settings files for `patina-render` with `selectivity` still
+  load and convert.
+
 ## 0.4.0
 
 - Add **Tone guard** (0–100 %, default 0 %). Patina follows the played note and

docs/patina/README.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Patina
 
 Patina smooths a sound’s rough surface without erasing its character. Formerly
-**Resonance Compressor**; current version **0.4.0**.
+**Resonance Compressor**; current version **0.4.0** (0.5.0 unreleased).
 
 A mixing effect that finds harsh, ringing regions as they happen and pulls them
 down, while plain harmonic tone passes. Independently designed in Rust; no claim
@@ -20,18 +20,30 @@ redistributed packages.
 
 ## Work with it
 
-Three controls decide what happens:
+Each band works like a small compressor. It compares its level with the local floor
+around it and cuts only the part that sticks out:
 
-- **Depth** is the largest cut, in dB. 0 dB does nothing.
+- **Depth** is the largest cut per band, in dB. 0 dB does nothing.
 - **Sharpness** sets what counts as a resonance. Low values follow broad,
   smooth bumps (honk, boxiness). High values target narrow rings and whistles.
-- **Selectivity** sets how far a bump must stand out before it is cut. Low
+- **Threshold** is how far (dB) a band must rise above its neighbours before it
-  values treat any bump; high values treat only the worst.
+  is cut. Low values treat any bump; high values treat only the worst.
+- **Ratio** is how hard a bump above the threshold is cut. At n:1 a bump ends
+  1/n as far above the threshold as it started. Low ratios leave small bumps
+  nearly alone and still cut big ones; ∞:1 flattens every bump to the
+  threshold (this is how Patina worked before 0.5).
+- **Knee**: Soft fades cuts in around the threshold. Hard starts them right at
+  the threshold and uses half the Attack time.
 
-Start with Depth around 6 dB. Raise Selectivity until only the harsh parts show
+The small graph under the knobs shows the result: bump height above the floor
-cuts, then use Delta to hear what is removed. Restrict Low/High frequency to keep
+in, cut out, with the threshold and the Depth limit.
-the source’s body out of reach. Attack and Release set how quickly cuts grow and
+
-recover; Transient guard briefly relaxes cuts on attacks to keep punch.
+Start with Depth around 6 dB. Raise Threshold until only the harsh parts show
+cuts, then use Delta to hear what is removed. To hit big resonances hard and
+leave small ones alone, raise Depth to 12–20 dB and set Ratio to 2:1–4:1.
+Restrict Low/High frequency to keep the source’s body out of reach. Attack and
+Release set how quickly cuts grow and recover; Transient guard briefly relaxes
+cuts on attacks to keep punch.
 
 ### Tone guard for bass lines
 
@@ -61,7 +73,7 @@ on the plot drag the processing limits.
 On the plot, the grey fill is the measured input. The bright line is what the
 detector hears (its smoothed spectral envelope); the dim line is what it expects
 there. Accent-coloured cuts appear where the bright line rises above the dim one
-by more than Selectivity allows. The blue curve is the focus/protect shape.
+by more than Threshold allows. The blue curve is the focus/protect shape.
 
 Delta plays delayed dry minus wet before output trim. Use it to inspect changes,
 then return to normal monitoring to decide whether the music improved.
@@ -83,8 +95,9 @@ window size persist; Delta does not.
 4. The reference is a robust local straight-line fit over 2–3 octaves: spectral
    tilt is expected, bumps cannot raise their own reference, and empty regions
    (below a fundamental, beyond a filter cutoff) are ignored.
-5. Envelope minus reference, above the Selectivity threshold, becomes the cut,
+5. Envelope minus reference is the band's height above its floor. Above
-   limited by Depth, smoothed with Attack/Release, and linked across stereo.
+   Threshold it becomes a cut through the Knee and Ratio curve, limited by
+   Depth, smoothed with Attack/Release, and linked across stereo.
 
 ## Timing and limits
 
@@ -142,7 +155,9 @@ The CLAP ID is now `io.narl.bass-foundry.patina` (earlier builds used
 `io.storyboard.resonance-compressor`). Hosts treat Patina as a new plugin, so
 add it again in projects saved with an earlier build. Version 0.2 replaced
 Amount, Sensitivity, Max cut, Neighborhood, Cut width, and Knee with Depth,
-Sharpness, and Selectivity. Delete the old plugin file, place `Patina.clap`, and
+Sharpness, and Selectivity; version 0.5 replaced Selectivity with Threshold
+(dB), Ratio and Knee, so projects saved earlier load Threshold at its default.
+Delete the old plugin file, place `Patina.clap`, and
 rescan FL Studio.
 
 Source is grouped into `plugins/patina/{core,ui,render,plugin}`. See

plugins/common/ui/src/lib.rs

@@ -113,6 +113,58 @@ pub fn rotary(
     unit: &str,
     size: f32,
     color: Color32,
+) -> egui::Response {
+    let response = dial(ui, value, range.clone(), default, size, color);
+    dial_caption(ui, name, size);
+    ui.add(
+        egui::DragValue::new(value)
+            .range(range)
+            .speed(0.1)
+            .suffix(unit),
+    );
+    response
+}
+/// A rotary whose value field shows custom text, for values that are not a plain number
+/// with a unit (a ratio, a mapped knob position).
+#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+pub fn rotary_text(
+    ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+    name: &str,
+    value: &mut f32,
+    range: std::ops::RangeInclusive<f32>,
+    default: f32,
+    size: f32,
+    color: Color32,
+    format: impl Fn(f32) -> String,
+    parse: impl Fn(&str) -> Option<f32>,
+) -> egui::Response {
+    let response = dial(ui, value, range.clone(), default, size, color);
+    dial_caption(ui, name, size);
+    let speed = (*range.end() - *range.start()) as f64 / 200.;
+    ui.add(
+        egui::DragValue::new(value)
+            .range(range)
+            .speed(speed)
+            .custom_formatter(|v, _| format(v as f32))
+            .custom_parser(|s| parse(s).map(f64::from)),
+    );
+    response
+}
+fn dial_caption(ui: &mut egui::Ui, name: &str, size: f32) {
+    ui.label(
+        RichText::new(name.to_uppercase())
+            .size(if size > 100. { 14. } else { 12. })
+            .color(MUTED),
+    );
+}
+/// The knob itself: drag, keys, double-click reset, and drawing.
+fn dial(
+    ui: &mut egui::Ui,
+    value: &mut f32,
+    range: std::ops::RangeInclusive<f32>,
+    default: f32,
+    size: f32,
+    color: Color32,
 ) -> egui::Response {
     let low = *range.start();
     let high = *range.end();
@@ -212,17 +264,6 @@ pub fn rotary(
     if response.has_focus() {
         p.circle_stroke(center, radius + 2., Stroke::new(1.0_f32, color));
     }
-    ui.label(
-        RichText::new(name.to_uppercase())
-            .size(if size > 100. { 14. } else { 12. })
-            .color(MUTED),
-    );
-    ui.add(
-        egui::DragValue::new(value)
-            .range(range)
-            .speed(0.1)
-            .suffix(unit),
-    );
     response
 }
 /// Vertical gradient rectangle, used for panel faces.

plugins/patina/core/src/lib.rs

@@ -3,14 +3,10 @@ mod pitch;
 mod settings;
 use pitch::PitchProbe;
 use rustfft::{num_complex::Complex32, Fft, FftPlanner};
-pub use settings::{focus_offset, knee, Focus, Settings};
+pub use settings::{focus_offset, knee, Focus, Knee, Settings, RATIO_INFINITE};
 use std::{f32::consts::PI, sync::Arc};
 
 pub const GRID: usize = 512;
-/// dB of cut per dB of prominence above the threshold.
-const SLOPE: f32 = 1.5;
-/// Fixed soft-knee width, in dB of prominence.
-const KNEE: f32 = 3.;
 /// Neighboring peaks closer than this (Hz, or one octave) are joined by a
 /// straight line in dB, so harmonic gaps do not count as expected level.
 const JOIN_HZ: f32 = 800.;
@@ -463,7 +459,9 @@ impl Engine {
         let fall = 1. - (-frame_time / 0.04).exp();
         let awake = self.sample_power / self.hop as f32 > 1e-9;
         self.sample_power = 0.;
-        let threshold = self.settings.threshold();
+        let threshold = self.settings.threshold;
+        let slope = self.settings.slope();
+        let knee_width = self.settings.knee_width();
         self.target.fill(0.);
         self.frame.input.fill(-200.);
         self.frame.envelope.fill(-200.);
@@ -588,7 +586,8 @@ impl Engine {
                 // material is never cut.
                 let live = awake && content[i] && level > -130.;
                 let target = if live {
-                    (knee(excess, KNEE) * SLOPE).min(self.settings.depth) * (1. - self.tone[i])
+                    (knee(excess, knee_width) * slope).min(self.settings.depth)
+                        * (1. - self.tone[i])
                 } else {
                     0.
                 };
@@ -609,7 +608,7 @@ impl Engine {
         }
         let cut = self.target;
         smooth(&cut, &mut self.target, (self.envelope_radius / 2).max(1), 1);
-        let attack = (-(self.hop as f32) / (self.rate * self.settings.attack * 0.001)).exp();
+        let attack = (-(self.hop as f32) / (self.rate * self.settings.attack_time() * 0.001)).exp();
         let release = (-(self.hop as f32) / (self.rate * self.settings.release * 0.001)).exp();
         for i in 0..GRID {
             let target = self.target[i];

plugins/patina/core/src/settings.rs

@@ -19,15 +19,34 @@ impl Default for Focus {
         }
     }
 }
+/// Shape of each band's gain curve around the threshold.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
+pub enum Knee {
+    /// Wide knee: cuts fade in gradually around the threshold.
+    #[default]
+    Soft,
+    /// Narrow knee and a faster attack: cuts start right at the threshold.
+    Hard,
+}
+/// Ratio at or above this value is treated as ∞:1.
+pub const RATIO_INFINITE: f32 = 20.;
+/// dB of cut per dB of detected prominence at ∞:1. The detector smooths a bump across
+/// frequency and reads it lower than it is; this restores the true height.
+const CALIBRATION: f32 = 1.5;
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq)]
-#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
+#[serde(from = "Stored")]
 pub struct Settings {
-    /// Largest cut in dB. Prominent bumps are flattened toward the threshold, never deeper.
+    /// Largest cut in dB per band.
     pub depth: f32,
     /// 0 % follows broad tonal bumps, 100 % targets narrow rings.
     pub sharpness: f32,
-    /// 0 % treats any bump; 100 % treats only the most prominent bumps.
+    /// How far (dB) a band must rise above its local floor before it is cut.
-    pub selectivity: f32,
+    pub threshold: f32,
+    /// Cut per dB above the threshold: at n:1 a bump ends 1/n as far above the threshold.
+    /// `RATIO_INFINITE` and above flatten bumps to the threshold.
+    pub ratio: f32,
+    pub knee: Knee,
     pub attack: f32,
     pub release: f32,
     pub transient_guard: f32,
@@ -39,15 +58,68 @@ pub struct Settings {
     pub focus: [Focus; 4],
     /// 0 % cuts every bump. Higher values hold back cuts on bumps that follow the played note
     /// (a harmonic the sound is built on) while bumps fixed in Hz are still cut.
-    #[serde(default)]
     pub tone_guard: f32,
 }
+/// Stored form. Settings saved before 0.5 have Selectivity (%) instead of Threshold, and no
+/// Ratio, Knee or Tone guard.
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+#[serde(deny_unknown_fields)]
+struct Stored {
+    depth: f32,
+    sharpness: f32,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    threshold: Option<f32>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    selectivity: Option<f32>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    ratio: Option<f32>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    knee: Knee,
+    attack: f32,
+    release: f32,
+    transient_guard: f32,
+    low: f32,
+    high: f32,
+    mix: f32,
+    output: f32,
+    bypass: bool,
+    focus: [Focus; 4],
+    #[serde(default)]
+    tone_guard: f32,
+}
+impl From<Stored> for Settings {
+    fn from(s: Stored) -> Self {
+        let d = Settings::default();
+        Self {
+            depth: s.depth,
+            sharpness: s.sharpness,
+            threshold: s
+                .threshold
+                .or(s.selectivity.map(|v| 0.5 + v * 0.05))
+                .unwrap_or(d.threshold),
+            ratio: s.ratio.unwrap_or(d.ratio),
+            knee: s.knee,
+            attack: s.attack,
+            release: s.release,
+            transient_guard: s.transient_guard,
+            low: s.low,
+            high: s.high,
+            mix: s.mix,
+            output: s.output,
+            bypass: s.bypass,
+            focus: s.focus,
+            tone_guard: s.tone_guard,
+        }
+    }
+}
 impl Default for Settings {
     fn default() -> Self {
         Self {
             depth: 6.,
             sharpness: 40.,
-            selectivity: 50.,
+            threshold: 3.,
+            ratio: RATIO_INFINITE,
+            knee: Knee::Soft,
             attack: 5.,
             release: 80.,
             transient_guard: 30.,
@@ -66,7 +138,8 @@ impl Settings {
         for (v, low, high) in [
             (self.depth, 0., 20.),
             (self.sharpness, 0., 100.),
-            (self.selectivity, 0., 100.),
+            (self.threshold, 0., 18.),
+            (self.ratio, 1., RATIO_INFINITE),
             (self.attack, 1., 200.),
             (self.release, 10., 1000.),
             (self.transient_guard, 0., 100.),
@@ -104,9 +177,27 @@ impl Settings {
     pub fn reference_width(&self) -> f32 {
         (self.envelope_width() * 16.).clamp(2., 3.)
     }
-    /// Prominence threshold in dB above the local reference, from Selectivity.
+    /// dB of cut per dB of detected prominence above the threshold.
-    pub fn threshold(&self) -> f32 {
+    pub fn slope(&self) -> f32 {
-        0.5 + self.selectivity * 0.05
+        if self.ratio >= RATIO_INFINITE {
+            CALIBRATION
+        } else {
+            CALIBRATION * (1. - 1. / self.ratio)
+        }
+    }
+    /// Soft-knee width in dB of prominence.
+    pub fn knee_width(&self) -> f32 {
+        match self.knee {
+            Knee::Soft => 6.,
+            Knee::Hard => 1.,
+        }
+    }
+    /// Attack time actually used: the hard knee grips twice as fast.
+    pub fn attack_time(&self) -> f32 {
+        match self.knee {
+            Knee::Soft => self.attack,
+            Knee::Hard => (self.attack * 0.5).max(0.5),
+        }
     }
     pub const PRESETS: [&'static str; 5] = [
         "Gentle cleanup",
@@ -121,18 +212,21 @@ impl Settings {
             1 => {
                 s.low = 1500.;
                 s.high = 12000.;
-                s.depth = 8.;
+                s.depth = 10.;
                 s.sharpness = 55.;
-                s.selectivity = 40.;
+                s.threshold = 2.5;
+                s.ratio = 3.;
                 s.attack = 3.;
                 s.release = 60.;
             }
             2 => {
                 s.low = 250.;
                 s.high = 6000.;
-                s.depth = 8.;
+                s.depth = 12.;
                 s.sharpness = 75.;
-                s.selectivity = 35.;
+                s.threshold = 2.5;
+                s.ratio = 6.;
+                s.knee = Knee::Hard;
                 s.attack = 10.;
                 s.release = 150.;
                 s.transient_guard = 80.;
@@ -140,14 +234,18 @@ impl Settings {
             3 => {
                 s.low = 2000.;
                 s.high = 16000.;
+                s.depth = 9.;
                 s.sharpness = 25.;
-                s.selectivity = 45.;
+                s.threshold = 2.5;
+                s.ratio = 2.5;
             }
             4 => {
                 s.low = 150.;
                 s.high = 12000.;
+                s.depth = 8.;
                 s.sharpness = 50.;
-                s.selectivity = 45.;
+                s.threshold = 2.5;
+                s.ratio = 3.;
                 s.tone_guard = 80.;
             }
             _ => {}

plugins/patina/core/tests/dsp.rs

@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ fn resonant_bump_is_cut_where_it_is_and_nowhere_else() {
     }
 }
 #[test]
-fn depth_selectivity_and_focus_each_do_one_thing() {
+fn depth_threshold_and_focus_each_do_one_thing() {
     let run = |s: Settings| {
         let mut bump = Peak::new(3000., 4., 12., 48000.);
         let frame = settle(s, |i| bump.tick(saw(220., i, 48000.)));
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ fn depth_selectivity_and_focus_each_do_one_thing() {
         ..Default::default()
     });
     let picky = run(Settings {
-        selectivity: 100.,
+        threshold: 5.5,
         ..Default::default()
     });
     let mut protect = Settings::default();
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ fn invalid_settings_do_not_mutate_and_numerical_inputs_stay_finite() {
 }
 #[test]
 fn soft_knee_and_presets_are_valid() {
-    for i in 0..4 {
+    for i in 0..Settings::PRESETS.len() {
         Settings::preset(i).validate().unwrap();
     }
     assert_eq!(knee(-2., 3.), 0.);
@@ -469,3 +469,103 @@ fn old_settings_without_tone_guard_still_load() {
     let s: Settings = serde_json::from_value(json).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(s.tone_guard, 0.);
 }
+
+/// Cut at the bump for a resonance of `gain` dB (Q 4 at 3 kHz) on a 220 Hz saw.
+fn bump_cut(s: Settings, gain: f32) -> f32 {
+    let mut bump = Peak::new(3000., 4., gain, 48000.);
+    let frame = settle(
+        Settings {
+            transient_guard: 0.,
+            ..s
+        },
+        |i| bump.tick(saw(220., i, 48000.)),
+    );
+    peak_reduction(&frame, 3000. / 1.26, 3000. * 1.26)
+}
+#[test]
+fn ratio_spares_small_peaks_and_still_cuts_big_ones() {
+    let at = |ratio: f32, gain: f32| {
+        bump_cut(
+            Settings {
+                depth: 20.,
+                ratio,
+                ..Default::default()
+            },
+            gain,
+        )
+    };
+    let (small_hard, big_hard) = (at(RATIO_INFINITE, 6.), at(RATIO_INFINITE, 18.));
+    let (small, big) = (at(2., 6.), at(2., 18.));
+    // At 2:1 each cut is about half the ∞:1 cut.
+    for (half, full) in [(small, small_hard), (big, big_hard)] {
+        assert!((half / full - 0.5).abs() < 0.15, "{half} vs {full}");
+    }
+    assert!(small < 1., "small bump cut by {small} dB at 2:1");
+    assert!(big > 4., "big bump cut only {big} dB at 2:1");
+    // Ratio between the two ends gives a cut between them.
+    let mid = at(4., 18.);
+    assert!(big < mid && mid < big_hard, "{big} < {mid} < {big_hard}");
+}
+#[test]
+fn cut_grows_with_the_bump_until_depth() {
+    let s = Settings {
+        depth: 20.,
+        ratio: 3.,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    let cuts: Vec<f32> = [4., 8., 12., 18., 24.]
+        .iter()
+        .map(|g| bump_cut(s, *g))
+        .collect();
+    for w in cuts.windows(2) {
+        assert!(w[1] > w[0] + 0.5, "{cuts:?}");
+    }
+    let capped = bump_cut(Settings { depth: 4., ..s }, 24.);
+    assert!(capped <= 4.001 && capped > 3., "{capped}");
+}
+#[test]
+fn threshold_moves_where_cuts_start() {
+    let low = bump_cut(Settings::default(), 9.);
+    let high = bump_cut(
+        Settings {
+            threshold: 9.,
+            ..Default::default()
+        },
+        9.,
+    );
+    assert!(low > 2. && high < 0.5, "{low} / {high}");
+}
+#[test]
+fn hard_knee_starts_cutting_closer_to_the_threshold() {
+    // A bump just under the threshold: the soft knee already cuts a little, the hard knee not.
+    let s = Settings {
+        threshold: 4.,
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    let soft = bump_cut(s, 6.);
+    let hard = bump_cut(
+        Settings {
+            knee: Knee::Hard,
+            ..s
+        },
+        6.,
+    );
+    assert!(soft > hard + 0.2, "soft {soft} vs hard {hard}");
+    assert_eq!(knee(0.25, 1.), 0.28125);
+}
+#[test]
+fn settings_from_before_threshold_still_load() {
+    let mut json = serde_json::to_value(Settings::default()).unwrap();
+    let map = json.as_object_mut().unwrap();
+    for key in ["threshold", "ratio", "knee", "tone_guard"] {
+        map.remove(key);
+    }
+    map.insert("selectivity".into(), 100.into());
+    let s: Settings = serde_json::from_value(json).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(s.threshold, 5.5);
+    assert_eq!(s.ratio, RATIO_INFINITE);
+    assert_eq!(s.knee, Knee::Soft);
+    assert!(serde_json::from_str::<Settings>(r#"{"oops":1}"#).is_err());
+    let back: Settings = serde_json::from_str(&serde_json::to_string(&s).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(back, s);
+}

plugins/patina/plugin/src/lib.rs

@@ -105,6 +105,15 @@ impl Plugin for Patina {
                         state.gestures[i] = false;
                     }
                 }
+                if edited.knee != before.knee {
+                    let knee = match edited.knee {
+                        patina_core::Knee::Soft => params::KneeParam::Soft,
+                        patina_core::Knee::Hard => params::KneeParam::Hard,
+                    };
+                    setter.begin_set_parameter(&params.knee);
+                    setter.set_parameter(&params.knee, knee);
+                    setter.end_set_parameter(&params.knee);
+                }
                 if edited.bypass != before.bypass {
                     setter.begin_set_parameter(&params.bypass);
                     setter.set_parameter(&params.bypass, edited.bypass);

plugins/patina/plugin/src/params.rs

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use nih_plug::prelude::*;
 use nih_plug_egui::EguiState;
-use patina_core::{Focus, Settings};
+use patina_core::{Focus, Knee, Settings, RATIO_INFINITE};
 use std::sync::Arc;
 #[derive(Params)]
 pub struct FocusParams {
@@ -38,6 +38,13 @@ impl Default for FocusParams {
         }
     }
 }
+#[derive(Enum, Debug, PartialEq, Eq, Clone, Copy)]
+pub enum KneeParam {
+    #[id = "soft"]
+    Soft,
+    #[id = "hard"]
+    Hard,
+}
 #[derive(Params)]
 pub struct PatinaParams {
     #[persist = "editor"]
@@ -46,8 +53,12 @@ pub struct PatinaParams {
     pub depth: FloatParam,
     #[id = "sharpness"]
     pub sharpness: FloatParam,
-    #[id = "selectivity"]
+    #[id = "threshold"]
-    pub selectivity: FloatParam,
+    pub threshold: FloatParam,
+    #[id = "ratio"]
+    pub ratio: FloatParam,
+    #[id = "knee"]
+    pub knee: EnumParam<KneeParam>,
     #[id = "attack"]
     pub attack: FloatParam,
     #[id = "release"]
@@ -76,7 +87,36 @@ impl Default for PatinaParams {
             editor: EguiState::from_size(1180, 760),
             depth: linear("Depth", d.depth, 0., 20., " dB"),
             sharpness: linear("Sharpness", d.sharpness, 0., 100., " %"),
-            selectivity: linear("Selectivity", d.selectivity, 0., 100., " %"),
+            threshold: linear("Threshold", d.threshold, 0., 18., " dB"),
+            ratio: FloatParam::new(
+                "Ratio",
+                d.ratio,
+                FloatRange::Skewed {
+                    min: 1.,
+                    max: RATIO_INFINITE,
+                    factor: FloatRange::skew_factor(-1.5),
+                },
+            )
+            .with_value_to_string(Arc::new(ratio_text))
+            .with_string_to_value(Arc::new(|s| {
+                let s = s
+                    .trim()
+                    .trim_end_matches(":1")
+                    .trim_end_matches(": 1")
+                    .trim();
+                if s == "∞" || s.eq_ignore_ascii_case("inf") {
+                    Some(RATIO_INFINITE)
+                } else {
+                    s.parse().ok()
+                }
+            })),
+            knee: EnumParam::new(
+                "Knee",
+                match d.knee {
+                    Knee::Soft => KneeParam::Soft,
+                    Knee::Hard => KneeParam::Hard,
+                },
+            ),
             attack: log("Attack", d.attack, 1., 200., " ms"),
             release: log("Release", d.release, 10., 1000., " ms"),
             transient_guard: linear("Transient guard", d.transient_guard, 0., 100., " %"),
@@ -95,7 +135,7 @@ impl PatinaParams {
         [
             &self.depth,
             &self.sharpness,
-            &self.selectivity,
+            &self.threshold,
             &self.attack,
             &self.release,
             &self.transient_guard,
@@ -120,13 +160,19 @@ impl PatinaParams {
             &self.focus[3].width,
             &self.focus[3].sensitivity,
             &self.tone_guard,
+            &self.ratio,
         ]
     }
     pub fn settings(&self) -> Settings {
         let mut s = Settings {
             depth: self.depth.value(),
             sharpness: self.sharpness.value(),
-            selectivity: self.selectivity.value(),
+            threshold: self.threshold.value(),
+            ratio: self.ratio.value(),
+            knee: match self.knee.value() {
+                KneeParam::Soft => Knee::Soft,
+                KneeParam::Hard => Knee::Hard,
+            },
             attack: self.attack.value(),
             release: self.release.value(),
             transient_guard: self.transient_guard.value(),
@@ -150,14 +196,22 @@ impl PatinaParams {
         s
     }
 }
-/// Host float parameters: ten main controls, four per focus point, then Tone guard.
+/// Ratio as the host shows it: "4.0:1", and "∞:1" at the top of the range.
-pub const COUNT: usize = 27;
+fn ratio_text(v: f32) -> String {
+    if v >= RATIO_INFINITE {
+        "∞:1".into()
+    } else {
+        format!("{v:.1}:1")
+    }
+}
+/// Host float parameters: ten main controls, four per focus point, Tone guard, then Ratio.
+pub const COUNT: usize = 28;
 pub fn values(s: &Settings) -> [f32; COUNT] {
     let mut v = [0.; COUNT];
     v[..10].copy_from_slice(&[
         s.depth,
         s.sharpness,
-        s.selectivity,
+        s.threshold,
         s.attack,
         s.release,
         s.transient_guard,
@@ -175,5 +229,6 @@ pub fn values(s: &Settings) -> [f32; COUNT] {
         ]);
     }
     v[26] = s.tone_guard;
+    v[27] = s.ratio;
     v
 }

plugins/patina/plugin/tests/host.rs

@@ -114,6 +114,13 @@ fn effect_ports_state_latency_and_audio_lifecycle() {
         envelope
             .params
             .insert("sensitivity_1".into(), ParamValue::F32(-12.));
+        envelope
+            .params
+            .insert("threshold".into(), ParamValue::F32(6.));
+        envelope.params.insert("ratio".into(), ParamValue::F32(3.));
+        envelope
+            .params
+            .insert("knee".into(), ParamValue::String("hard".into()));
         let encoded = serde_json::to_vec(&envelope).unwrap();
         let mut framed = (encoded.len() as u64).to_le_bytes().to_vec();
         framed.extend_from_slice(&encoded);

plugins/patina/ui/src/lib.rs

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 pub use common_ui::style;
 use common_ui::*;
 use egui::{self, Color32, FontId, Pos2, Rect, RichText, Sense, Stroke, Vec2};
-use patina_core::{focus_offset, frequency, AnalyzerFrame, Focus, Settings, GRID};
+use patina_core::{
+    focus_offset, frequency, knee, AnalyzerFrame, Focus, Knee, Settings, GRID, RATIO_INFINITE,
+};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
 pub struct State {
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ impl Default for State {
             gesture_active: false,
             gestures: [false; 30],
             last_audio: Instant::now(),
-            help: "Set Depth, then raise Selectivity until only the harsh parts are cut. Double-click a knob to reset; Shift for fine steps.".into(),
+            help: "Set Depth, then raise Threshold until only the harsh parts are cut. Double-click a knob to reset; Shift for fine steps.".into(),
             drag: None,
         }
     }
@@ -85,6 +87,66 @@ fn hint(response: egui::Response, state: &mut State, text: &str) {
         state.help = text.into();
     }
 }
+/// The Ratio knob is square-law, so 1:1 to 6:1 gets half its travel.
+fn ratio_position(ratio: f32) -> f32 {
+    ((ratio - 1.) / (RATIO_INFINITE - 1.)).clamp(0., 1.).sqrt() * 100.
+}
+fn ratio_from_position(position: f32) -> f32 {
+    let p = (position / 100.).clamp(0., 1.);
+    1. + (RATIO_INFINITE - 1.) * p * p
+}
+fn ratio_text(ratio: f32) -> String {
+    if ratio >= RATIO_INFINITE {
+        "∞:1".into()
+    } else {
+        format!("{ratio:.1}:1")
+    }
+}
+fn parse_ratio(text: &str) -> Option<f32> {
+    let t = text.trim().trim_end_matches(":1").trim();
+    if t == "∞" || t.eq_ignore_ascii_case("inf") {
+        Some(RATIO_INFINITE)
+    } else {
+        t.parse::<f32>().ok().map(|r| r.clamp(1., RATIO_INFINITE))
+    }
+}
+/// Gain curve of one band: prominence above the floor in, cut out. Shows Threshold, Knee,
+/// Ratio and the Depth limit together.
+fn transfer(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &Settings) {
+    let (rect, _) = ui.allocate_exact_size(Vec2::new(ui.available_width(), 62.), Sense::hover());
+    let p = ui.painter();
+    p.rect_filled(rect, 3., SCREEN);
+    let r = rect.shrink2(Vec2::new(6., 6.));
+    const IN: f32 = 18.;
+    const OUT: f32 = 20.;
+    let x = |e: f32| r.left() + e / IN * r.width();
+    let y = |c: f32| r.top() + c.min(OUT) / OUT * r.height();
+    let t = settings.threshold;
+    p.line_segment(
+        [Pos2::new(x(t), r.top()), Pos2::new(x(t), r.bottom())],
+        Stroke::new(1.0_f32, DIM),
+    );
+    let d = settings.depth;
+    p.line_segment(
+        [Pos2::new(r.left(), y(d)), Pos2::new(r.right(), y(d))],
+        Stroke::new(1.0_f32, Color32::from_rgb(48, 50, 56)),
+    );
+    let points: Vec<Pos2> = (0..=90)
+        .map(|i| {
+            let e = IN * i as f32 / 90.;
+            let cut = (knee(e - t, settings.knee_width()) * settings.slope()).min(d);
+            Pos2::new(x(e), y(cut))
+        })
+        .collect();
+    p.add(egui::Shape::line(points, Stroke::new(1.5_f32, ACCENT)));
+    p.text(
+        r.right_top(),
+        egui::Align2::RIGHT_TOP,
+        "CUT PER BUMP HEIGHT",
+        FontId::proportional(10.),
+        MUTED,
+    );
+}
 fn note(ui: &mut egui::Ui, text: &str) {
     ui.label(RichText::new(text).color(MUTED));
 }
@@ -122,6 +184,7 @@ fn control(
                 "Low frequency" => defaults.low,
                 "High frequency" => defaults.high,
                 "Mix" => defaults.mix,
+                "Output" => defaults.output,
                 _ => *value,
             };
         }
@@ -249,7 +312,7 @@ pub fn show(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &mut Settings, state: &mut State) {
     let body_height = (ui.available_height() - 40.).max(480.);
     ui.horizontal_top(|ui| {
         panel(ui, |ui| {
-            ui.set_width(176.);
+            ui.set_width(236.);
             ui.set_min_height(body_height - 28.);
             ui.vertical_centered(|ui| {
                 caption(ui, "DETECTION");
@@ -262,12 +325,12 @@ pub fn show(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &mut Settings, state: &mut State) {
                     0. ..=20.,
                     defaults.depth,
                     " dB",
-                    108.,
+                    88.,
                     ACCENT,
                 );
                 hint(knob, state, "Largest cut. 0 dB does nothing.");
                 ui.add_space(8.);
-                ui.columns(2, |columns| {
+                ui.columns(3, |columns| {
                     columns[0].vertical_centered(|ui| {
                         let knob = rotary(
                             ui,
@@ -284,47 +347,76 @@ pub fn show(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &mut Settings, state: &mut State) {
                     columns[1].vertical_centered(|ui| {
                         let knob = rotary(
                             ui,
-                            "Selectivity",
+                            "Threshold",
-                            &mut settings.selectivity,
+                            &mut settings.threshold,
-                            0. ..=100.,
+                            0. ..=18.,
-                            defaults.selectivity,
+                            defaults.threshold,
-                            " %",
+                            " dB",
                             58.,
                             ACCENT,
                         );
-                        hint(knob, state, "Low: treat any bump. High: only the worst.");
+                        hint(
+                            knob,
+                            state,
+                            "How far a band must rise above its neighbours before it is cut. \
+                             Raise it until only the harsh parts are cut.",
+                        );
+                    });
+                    columns[2].vertical_centered(|ui| {
+                        let mut position = ratio_position(settings.ratio);
+                        let knob = rotary_text(
+                            ui,
+                            "Ratio",
+                            &mut position,
+                            0. ..=100.,
+                            ratio_position(defaults.ratio),
+                            58.,
+                            ACCENT,
+                            |p| ratio_text(ratio_from_position(p)),
+                            |s| parse_ratio(s).map(ratio_position),
+                        );
+                        if position != ratio_position(settings.ratio) {
+                            settings.ratio = ratio_from_position(position);
+                        }
+                        hint(
+                            knob,
+                            state,
+                            "Cut per dB above the threshold. Low ratios leave small bumps \
+                             nearly alone and still cut big ones; ∞:1 flattens every bump to \
+                             the threshold.",
+                        );
                     });
                 });
-                ui.add_space(10.);
-                ui.separator();
                 ui.add_space(4.);
-                caption(ui, "OUTPUT");
+                ui.horizontal(|ui| {
-                ui.add_space(4.);
+                    ui.vertical(|ui| {
-                ui.columns(2, |columns| {
+                    caption(ui, "KNEE");
-                    columns[0].vertical_centered(|ui| {
+                    for (knee, label, help) in [
-                        rotary(
+                        (
-                            ui,
+                            Knee::Soft,
-                            "Mix",
+                            "SOFT",
-                            &mut settings.mix,
+                            "Soft knee: cuts fade in gradually around the threshold.",
-                            0. ..=100.,
+                        ),
-                            100.,
+                        (
-                            " %",
+                            Knee::Hard,
-                            58.,
+                            "HARD",
-                            STEEL,
+                            "Hard knee: cuts start right at the threshold and grip twice \
-                        );
+                             as fast.",
-                    });
+                        ),
-                    columns[1].vertical_centered(|ui| {
+                    ] {
-                        rotary(
+                        let r = ui.selectable_label(
-                            ui,
+                            settings.knee == knee,
-                            "Output",
+                            RichText::new(label).size(13.),
-                            &mut settings.output,
-                            -12. ..=12.,
-                            0.,
-                            " dB",
-                            58.,
-                            STEEL,
                         );
+                        if r.clicked() {
+                            settings.knee = knee;
+                        }
+                        if r.hovered() {
+                            state.help = help.into();
+                        }
+                    }
                     });
+                    transfer(ui, settings);
                 });
             });
         });
@@ -437,8 +529,9 @@ pub fn show(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &mut Settings, state: &mut State) {
                 });
             ui.add_space(6.);
             egui::Grid::new("range-controls")
-                .num_columns(2)
+                .num_columns(4)
-                .spacing([22., 8.])
+                .spacing([16., 12.])
+                .min_col_width((ui.available_width() - 48.) / 4.)
                 .show(ui, |ui| {
                     control(
                         ui,
@@ -460,6 +553,26 @@ pub fn show(ui: &mut egui::Ui, settings: &mut Settings, state: &mut State) {
                         "Upper processing boundary, also limited by Nyquist.",
                         state,
                     );
+                    control(
+                        ui,
+                        "Mix",
+                        &mut settings.mix,
+                        0. ..=100.,
+                        " %",
+                        false,
+                        "Blend of processed and delayed dry signal.",
+                        state,
+                    );
+                    control(
+                        ui,
+                        "Output",
+                        &mut settings.output,
+                        -12. ..=12.,
+                        " dB",
+                        false,
+                        "Output trim, for level-matched comparison.",
+                        state,
+                    );
                 });
             });
         });

website/src/data/plugins.ts

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ const COPY: Record<string, Copy> = {
       'Distortion chains build up harsh, ringing resonances. A static EQ cut takes out the tone along with the ring.',
     points: [
       'Finds ringing regions as they happen and pulls only those down.',
-      'Plain harmonic tone and transients pass; Selectivity sets what counts as harsh.',
+      'Each band works like a small compressor: Threshold sets what counts as harsh, Ratio how hard it is cut.',
       'Four focus points on the plot to cut more or protect a region.',
       'Delta monitoring to hear exactly what is removed.',
     ],