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Threshold
The threshold determines when the compressor starts to compress the signal. By
setting a threshold, you do not compress all of the input signal - instead, you compress
the signal only when it is louder than the threshold, as shown in the following diagram:
Setting the Threshold
By setting a threshold, you determine that quieter passages maintain their natural
dynamic range, and only loud passages (that go above the threshold) are compressed.
Ratio
The ratio control determines how much compression is applied to the signal. The
ratio (such as 2:1) refers to the ratio of change in input level to the change in output
level. So, a ratio of 2:1 means that for every 2 dB change in the input level, the
output level changes by 1 dB, as shown in the following diagram:
Setting the Ratio
As you increase the ratio, the sound becomes tighter and the effect of the
compression becomes more noticeable. A lower ratio has a softer slope, which
preserves more of the original dynamic range, since an increase in input level still
results in a significant increase in output level.
OUT
+12
-24
OUT
20
1:1
10
2:1
0
0
10
20
f u n c t i o n s
Threshold
Range
IN
Max
Level now +10
IN
11
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