Make-Up Gain - Focusrite Green Range Manual

c o m p r e s s o r
The release rate is probably the most important variable when recording rock music,
since it controls loudness. Loudness is determined by the maintenance of high mean
levels: compression increases the proportion of high-level signal content, and as the
diagram shows, the faster the unit releases, the more low-level signal is brought to a
higher level. Therefore, the faster the release rate, the higher the perceived loudness
of the recording.
Auto Rel
Auto Rel modifies how quickly the
compressor releases after compression
(that is, how quickly it stops compressing
when the signal returns below the
threshold). It reacts to the dynamic range
of the input, so the higher the signal is
above the threshold, and the longer it
stays there, then the slower the release is.
This means that fast signals that aren't
compressed hard have a fast release time,
while longer signals release more slowly,
which makes the compression in context
with the signal.

Make-Up Gain

Compressing a signal makes it quieter. After you have set the compression on the
signal, use the make-up gain to restore the signal to its original or desired volume.
For example, in the diagram the compressor reduces the signal by 20dB, which
reduces the dynamic range of the input and in so doing makes the signal quieter.
Using the make-up gain restores the volume of the compressed signal.
BEFORE MAKE UP
+20
0
-20
24
Original
1:1
Range
Max Level
Now 20dB Lower
2:1 New Dyamic
Range
Original Signal
Fast Release
Overall Level Louder
Compressed
Level
Slow Release
This Portion
Over Compressed
Overall Level Quieter
AFTER MAKE UP
+20
2:1
0
20dB of 1:1
Make up
gain
-20
Compression
Threshold
Compressed
Max Level
Now Restored
to 20dB
But with smaller
Dynamic Range