Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you need to know what dynamic range compression is? Do you want your song demo to sound professional? Dynamic range compression is a sound effect that is closely associated with a pro sound. So, you need to know how to use it if you want to have your music or voiceovers sound good. Keep reading What’s Dynamic Range Compression and How to Use It to learn more?
What’s Dynamic Range Compression and How to Use It: What Is It?
Audio compression is an essential recording studio sound effect:
- Its job is to control volume spikes on an audio track.
- In addition to making the tracks easier to mix, it also stabilizes the sound, making it easier to listen to.
- Basically, it reduces loud spikes in an audio track, allowing you to raise the volume of the whole track, essentially boosting the quiet parts of the sound as well.
What’s Dynamic Range Compression and How to Use It: How Does it Work?
A limiter sets a hard limit (thus the name) on how loud the track can go:
- This limit is called the threshold.
- Audio compressor is similar to a limiter. However, when the signal processed by the effects unit hits the device’s threshold, the volume doesn’t just stop dead as it does with a limiter.
- Instead, it continues to increase in volume but at a lower ratio.
- For instance, if you have a 4:1 ratio, a sound that would have increased 12 dB without audio compression will now only increase 3 dB when it’s above the device’s threshold.
- Also, many audio compressors come with a soft knee feature, where the ratio kicks in gradually, allowing for a more musical sound. If your hardware or software has this feature, use it.
Leveling off spikes in an audio track makes for a tighter sounding track.
What’s Dynamic Range Compression and How to Use It: What Are the Parameters?
Dynamic range compression has a few important controls:
- Threshold: As we have already discussed, this sets the level where the compression starts to take effect.
- Ratio: This determines how much the audio track is squashed after the volume exceeds the threshold. Generally, when recording tracks, a 4:1 ratio is a good place to start. You can always run the track through again at a higher ratio if you need to.
- Attack: This controls how fast the effect happens after the sound passes the threshold.
- Release: This governs how soon the effect stops after the sound falls below the threshold.
- Pro Tip: Use a quick attack time for impulsive sounds like percussion instruments, and a slower attack time for instruments with a sustained tone, such as violins, woodwinds, brass, and vocals.
The video below will further explain what it is and how it works.
Mobile users: for best results viewing the video, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Video: Audio Dynamic Range Compression Explained
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- An audio compressor’s job is to control volume spikes on an audio track.
- Generally, when recording tracks, a 4:1 ratio is a good place to start.
- You can always run the track through again at a higher ratio if you need to.
- Also, take advantage of the soft knee feature.
- Use a quick attack time for impulsive sounds like percussion instruments, and a slower attack time for instruments with a sustained tone, such as violins, woodwinds, brass, and vocals.
Related Posts
- Writing Well Crafted Songs
- How to Record Vocals for a Professional Sound
- How to Employ Effective Equalization on Your Song
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
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