Compressor §

= tool that compresses (reduces) the dynamic range of a sound

Types §

• single band: processes the entire frequency range of a signal (mastering)
• multi-band: processes multiple frequency ranges of a signal individually (individual sounds)

Components §

• Threshold = at which level the compressor kicks in
• Ratio = how much the signal is being reduced
  • low: “compressor”
  • high: “limiter” (clipper = limiter with less control parameters)
• Attack = how quickly the compressor completely engages
  • fast: thick, controlled
  • slow: punchy, exciting → preferred
• Knee = the shape of the attack
  • soft: subtle compression
  • hard: obvious compression
• Release = how slowly the compressor disengages
• Gain = increase in output level