Utility
Compressor
A compressor turns the loudest moments down, so a sound is more even — and then louder overall. On drums it adds punch.
Learn about it in Effects & mixing: space, width and punch
How it works
Whenever the input is louder than Thresh, it is turned down: Ratio 4:1 means 4 dB over becomes 1 dB over. Attack is how fast it reacts (slow lets the drum’s snap through before clamping), Release how fast it lets go. Makeup turns the whole result back up. The meter shows how much it is turning down right now.
Inputs
| IN | Audio to compress. |
|---|
Outputs
| OUT | Compressed audio. |
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Knobs and switches
| Thresh | Level above which it starts working. |
|---|---|
| Ratio | How hard it turns down. |
| Attack | Reaction time. |
| Release | Recovery time. |
| Makeup | Gain added afterwards. |
Patches to try
- Drums: Thresh −30, Ratio 6, Attack 20 ms — punchier.
- Ratio 20, fast attack: a brick-wall limiter.
Lessons that use the Compressor
Each one opens as a working patch in the synth.