Audio compression: threshold, attack, release and bypass

Slide 1

• Compression
• a compressor or compression is used to even out the dynamics in a piece of audio. It turns down the loudest peaks in the audio and brings up the quieter parts, this creates an overall more consistent sound. Compressors have a number of controls and parameters...
• Threshold - The threshold of a compressor sets how loud the audio level can go before it is compressed. e.g. A high threshold would mean the audio level could get louder before it hits the threshold.
• Attack - The attack control on a compressor dictates how quickly the compressor takes effect once the threshold is crossed. A fast attack would mean the audio is compressed as soon as it hits the threshold, whereas a low attack time would mean that the effect would be slower to take hold.
• Release - The release controls how long the compressor stays on 'compressing', If the release time is set to a short number then the compressor will return the audio level back to its original state quicker.
• Bypass - Bypass as the name suggests bypasses the unit so even if the controls are all set the musician or engineer can listen to the original audio without changing any of the parameters they have set. Essentially an on/off switich