A long time ago I did a patch that was able to keep the same loudness (perceptible) when applying a FX. The most obvious FX was a distortion. I lost the patch and I tried to redo it using env~ but it's not working like before.

So something like that:

[inlet~]
|      |
|      [check loudness average]
[FX (distortion)]
|
[apply same loudness as inlet~]  
|
[dac~]

Of course sometimes it's good to have a boost in loudness when applying a distortion, so I will fine-tune this method. Maybe I should consider using a compressor instead?

Thanks

@EEight Yes, [env~] will give the rms.
I think you must have bumped up the level after the F/X..... to more than "1" and then put something like zexy/limiter~ so as to normalize the level to "1" before applying the final gain control derived from the input [env~]
David.

@EEight
very interesting question and project!
This is some very basic concept, useful in many more cases.

The compressor-trick doesn't seem it, as that compression would add another "effect" or "mutation" to the sound.

Maybe something like:

two inputs, RMS mesurement, matching the two in a specified smoothing-time-slope

I'd be very happy if you would post your solution of level matching.

@EEight ...
Buchla Dual Signal Leveler Model 172
https://www.modulargrid.net/u/la-67-172
ok actually these "are" compressors