There are many different types of compressors that can be used for music production. Each hardware or software version implements 4 fundamental controls that can help you shape the sound. These are:

Threshold
Attack
Release
Ratio

Threshold
Set in decibels, the Threshold controls when a compressor should be activated. As soon as part of the signal exceeds the Threshold value, the compressor begins to reduce the gain according to the Attack, Release & Ratio settings.

Attack
The Attack control on a compressor affects the leading transient of the sound. It essentially determines how long the compressor will take to reach the maximum amount of gain reduction.

A fast Attack will start to compress the sound very early. This is helpful for controlling sound that may contain unwanted loud spikes in volume. Using a fast attack means the compressor will clamp down immediately on any part of the signal that exceeds the Threshold.

As many high frequencies are contained in the initial transient of a signal, using a fast attack can sometimes reduce these frequencies to the point where the sound becomes dull. This is particularly problematic if you are working with a very bright lead instrument that requires dynamic control. By increasing the Attack time, you should be able to find a balance between reacting to rapid changes in dynamics and preserving the transient of the signal.

Release
The Release control determines how long it takes for a sound to return to its pre-compressed level after it drops down past the Threshold. If set too fast, the sound will immediately bounce back to the listener after compression, which can often result in an unpleasant gain pumping effect. In some types of music, introducing a pumping effect is actually desired (eg. Dance), but if not controlled correctly with the Release setting, it can often sound very unnatural and fatiguing to the ear.

They key is to find a Release time that works in tandem with the chosen Attack setting, so that any dynamic change that is imparted on the sound maintains or compliments the groove of the track.

Ratio
Ratio controls the actual amount of gain reduction that occurs when a signal exceeds the Threshold.

A Ratio of 6:1 means that for every time the signal exceeds the Threshold by 6dB, the compressor allows an actual output increase of 1dB. The higher the Ratio setting, the more the compressor will squash the sound and hence impart firmer control. Lower Ratio settings typically result in a larger sound, however there is a risk that not enough dynamic control will be applied.

The author is a Progressive House DJ and Producer.

Luke Porter

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L_D_Porter

brendanp: what are you working with these days?
mostly abelton?
or reason?

me: she got inspired to write the lyrics and then I put the music to it
2:14 PM actually it’s a new form of technology I got from the ETs

brendanp: oh! right, of course!
2:15 PM called Abelton Live…

me: lol, yea

brendanp: those aliens make the best software

me: it’s fun

brendanp: i haven’t played with it actually
2:16 PM me: it’s amazing once you get the hang of it

brendanp: what i’ve heard is that it’s like part sampler, part synth, part loop station

me: yes, and much more
2:17 PM brendanp: and geared to performance as much as production, right?

me: I don’t even have the latest version, but I really want it
2:18 PM it’s got a kick butt looping device that senses the tempo of your loop as you record it, and then sets the song tempo to match you vs. trying to match a metronome
2:19 PM

brendanp: oh that’s sweet

me: live also supports vst and au plugins, so you can load up all kinds of crazy synths and effects
2:20 PM setting up midi couldn’t be easier
2:21 PM the automation rocks, and you can use your computers type pad as a keyboard

brendanp: oh woah
that’s sweet dude

me: I’ve been doing some crazy stuff using my ipod touch as a wireless midi controller too
2:22 PM

brendanp: oh crazy, you can do that?
just special apps?
2:23 PM

me: I can turn effects off and on and change sliders and x_ y_ controls just by tilting my ipod.
I found a really good free one
mmm
midi music machine
I’ve been wanting to blog about it