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c o m p r e s s o r
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 2dB increase in the input level above the
threshold, the output level changes by 1dB, as shown in the following diagram:
Out
20
10
0
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.
22
1:1
2:1 Ratio
In
0
10
20
+12
-24
Out
Out
1:1
2
0
10:1 Ratio
0
10
Threshold
Range
In
In
20
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