EDUCATION
Compressor, see gain reduction happen
A compressor's threshold, ratio, attack and release are usually abstract numbers. Here they're a meter moving in real time, so you can see exactly when and how hard it grabs.
Try it
- Lower the threshold until the gain reduction meter moves on every hit.
- Raise the ratio from 2:1 to 8:1 and watch the reduction get more aggressive at the same threshold.
- Set a fast attack, then a slow one, and compare how much of the transient survives.
What to listen for
A fast attack shaves off the transient, making a drum hit feel softer and rounder. A slow attack lets the transient through before the compressor engages, keeping the punch but still controlling the sustain.
This tool is one part of the picture. Electronic Music Production for Beginners covers the rest.