To achieve this, a few elements need to be properly balanced. Let’s go through what those are, and how they work!

Threshold:

First up is threshold. This controls from which point (loudness) you want to start compressing (quietening) your signal. Anything below your threshold won’t be compressed.

Ratio:

The Ratio determines how much compression will be applied to the section within your threshold. This setting will usually be found in the form of 4:1, 6:1, 8:1 etc.

For example, if a ratio of 8:1 is set, for every 1db the signal goes above your threshold, 8db of compression will be applied. The higher your ratio, the more aggressive your compression will be.

Makeup Gain:

At this stage you set how much you’d like to increase your overall signal once it’s been compressed, as a lot of level will be lost during compression. Makeup gain brings your signal back to an ideal level.

It’s important to note that some compressors do not have this control. In this case, the makeup gain is set automatically.

Attack/Release:

Attack and Release set how long the compressor acts for. With Attack setting how quickly after the signal has peaked over the threshold, the compression will begin, and Release controlling how long the signal will be held at that point.