How To Use A Compressor | Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release & More

What is a compressor and how do you properly use one? In this video, you'll learn what each setting on a compressor does, including threshold, ratio, makeup gain, attack, release, hold and knee.
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0:00 - What Is Compression?
0:31 - How To Use A Compressor
1:09 - Threshold
1:27 - Ratio
2:00 - Gain Reduction
3:37 - Makeup Gain
4:18 - Attack
5:06 - Release
5:26 - Hold
5:45 - Knee
6:13 - Wet / Dry
6:41 - Subscribe To Audio University!
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[@1337murk]

The attack is actually how long the compressor takes to achieve the full ratio of compression, not exactly 'how quickly it will act'. It will act the moment the program material passes the threshold. It's important to view this in the right way for shaping the dynamics on a nuanced level, and when using a compressor as a kind of 'timed eq' etc

[@AudioUniversity]

Well said, Benj. I struggled to find the wording prior to explaining “gain reduction”. My plan is to create a more in-depth video on attack and release. I will borrow your wording if that’s alright, so as to prevent ambiguity and confusion. Thanks!

[@1337murk]

@@AudioUniversity Sure! Np glad to help, you seem to have some good videos!

[@dv5150]

The only video about compression that I found easy to understand, many thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Dávid! Glad it’s helpful!

[@sequoiagibson4957]

On god, I didn’t even get it when my professor explained it!!!

[@jeltohn4722]

I understand ratio and threshold. Kyle, you are hands down among the best teachers on youtube. You make well structured videos that are easy to understand and cover nothing more or less than what should be covered. We can't praise the quality of your teaching enough!

[@AudioUniversity]

Wow! Thanks, Jeltohn!

[@ferraris26]

I will second that. It's not just an info dump, instead, you take the time to explain and then demonstrate what everything sounds like. Which in turn means more clarity and understanding, and less to straight up memorize

[@sebastiansahlman4754]

Agreed. Great video, very clear. Thank you

[@nikakublashvili1817]

he is the best!!!

[@purplehazeto]

Honestly, looked up tons of audio compression related stuff onlione before.. this video is probably the easiest so far for me to kind of grasp. thank you man.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it helped!

[@taywilcox1374]

This really helps me. I just started school for audio engineering. Thank you!

[@dino1065]

I, like many of the other comments, have watched a multitude of videos about compressors and this is by far the best and most simple to understand video I've seen. Well done and many thanks.

[@jrunt7436]

Very well articulated, this really clarified clearly how compression works. I now understand treshold and ratio, attack, wet and dry signal, and so much more. Thank you!

[@admiralcasperr]

I understand ratio and threshold, and I'm a signal theory smoothbrain. Good job.

[@G.A.M.A-]

Clear concise explanation! Thank you!

[@senormachado2035]

Best tutorial ever! I understand ratio and threshold. Thanks Kyle!.

[@retskni]

Thanks, Kyle! As per your request: yes, I understand ratio and threshold. Wish to commend you on how well you take us learners through the specific parameters of compression. You anticipate (and appreciate) the issues folk encounter using this tool. Your vids are concise and on point without unnecessary verbiage. Highly recommendable!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Mr James! I appreciate you taking the time to write this very nice comment.

[@nunolance23]

Thank you so much for this. Having the visual representation helps a ton! I now understand ratio and threshold!

[@DAP-TV]

Excellent video. The best I’ve seen thus far.

[@alexshevchenko7568]

This is the best explanation and visualisation of how the compression works! Thanks, man!

[@donlazov2443]

Thank you very much for this tutorial, really added to my 'toolbox' of sound mixing/engineering for me. I get threshold and ratio much better now, many thanks!

[@Alfernav]

This video is Gold. And the visualisation of this plug-in is amazing… now I want it!

[@RopeSwingDreams]

This is an amazing video. I understand the concepts being taught. I have been wanting to learn these kinds of techniques for awhile, and this is an amazing resource for doing so. Thank you!

[@mudrahel.philosophovich]

The best YT channel in audio theme! Thanks!

[@guy_incognito]

The clearest explanation of compression and the various compression settings I have ever heard. Thank you!

[@joseluismendoza374]

I appreciate the video. I have been confused how to use a compressor for awhile now but the visuals and explanation really helped. Thanks!!

[@taleyal8391]

Thanks for that! Your an amazing educator!

[@intheflowers6245]

i understand ratio and threshold. very well explained! thank you

[@franbert6218]

It’s a pleasure watching your videos. I know most of these concepts but I still enjoy watching your channel. You make it all look easy, but I know there is a lot of preparation to goes in each of your videos. You’re a natural teacher. Keep up the good work

[@markzangeneh]

I understand ratio, threshold and makeup gain. Very well explained. Thank you !

[@Voidpiercer]

This is a great video explaining the basic nuances of compression without any hubbub. Thanks!

[@OSTIDALEX]

i understand ratio / threshold much better thanks to you now !! well explainded and clear to understand !

[@Fretjoe]

This is the BEST video explaining in clear terms how compression works, and what the terms mean, great job

[@kstran415]

I’m definitely understanding ratio and threshold. Thanks for this great video man 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@jayninety5172]

You're a skilled teacher, I didn't understand compression better up until now. Thank you.

[@yashparikh4738]

I understand ratio and threshold! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@dwashbur]

THANK YOU! Suddenly all those parameters make sense. Best video on the subject that I've seen.

[@alanblumlein]

Great tutorial Kyle - Very clear, concise and interesting to watch.

[@joelhenriques4754]

Best explanation I've ever seen. I really get it now! Thanks!!!

[@NonnyStrikes]

It's incredible how much more valuable these videos become after you've spent time with live sound. Truly, thank you again.

[@marktuure6313]

I understand threshold and ratio. Dude awesome teaching

[@timlukeschuh]

Dude, this is so helpful and so well explained. Cheers

[@nikolastamenkovic7069]

Perfect explanation!

[@fedrorikasio4299]

I understand the whole picture of compression now, thanks you ! Btw I am a starter at sound mixing and mastering, I'll soon start record my drums I just both - Tama Star classic and will play a lot with the understanding I got from your video. Not just this one, but the content you put here in KZbin is one of the most wonderful things for starters/pro's! Cheers from Bulgaria.

[@mrboss7580]

Very good, I have recently taught myself production and did understand compression, yet this is very helpful to getting a further understanding of why certain compression values do certain things

[@pulankaoutdoordesign]

As always....a fine and clear instruction. Its nice to see you take the time to explain things. Makes it easy to watch. Thanks.

[@KingChingCheung]

THANK YOU SO MUCH ! You are good people!

[@yungprophetmusic]

You and Michael from in the Mix, are both one of the greatest teachers for this out there

[@jonathanlubamba263]

How did you know, I was even researching for that. Thank you.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help, Jonathan!

[@newagedawn]

ya, i understand compression and your vid explains it very well !!!, thanks for not making an hr long vid for 7 min worth of material,......its a win!!!!!!!! please keep em short

[@CoreyLaGray]

I've been looking for an easy to understand video about compression for a while and this really nailed it, thank you.

[@seanpaul62]

I understand ratio and threshold. Excellent job bud learning loads

[@nicolasmartz3793]

thank so much! This is by far the best and clearest explanation I could find on KZbin about compression. It must be said that the GUI of that Fabfilter proC² plugin also helps greatly to understand and visually follow the effects of each of the settings.

[@therealme2879]

Thanks for making this incredibly easy to understand!

[@TheSlowPianist]

Two things that make you stand out: 1. How clearly and simply you communicate. 2. The fact you got right to the point of the video rather than giving a 90-second-long introduction. Thank you.

[@guitarmike595]

I understand ratio and threshold This is the best video I've seen that explains the controls of a compressor.

[@lesleyscloud97]

i understand ration and threshold. as the volunteer and fixed sound engineer for my parents small church, this has helped me be better and understand sound and mixers.

[@teashea1]

very well done - articulate and organized

[@crazygooner3398]

Great explanation! Easy to follow and understand.

[@nikakublashvili1817]

hands down you are the best online teacher i sweat to god! thank you so much for all knowledge that you gave to me!

[@alessandrosamueleslavu6987]

the only video on youtube that actually helps me understand, great teacher man great teacher, I subscribed after just watchin one of your vids

[@cloud9savagehenry]

Much thanks for your help. This is something I'm dealing with and definitely need to understand.

[@oldhom5038]

Compression is one of those things i know work but not how. You just turned years of knob turning into knowledge. Thank you

[@ChrisCondren2]

I understand ratio and threshold. Really excellent stuff man, thank you.

[@alreadyit]

Thank you, especially for explaining that some compressors have a fixed threshold where you then drive the input signal into them!

[@cidgage]

I have a much better understanding of threshold and ratio. thanks for the vid!

[@ValentinMalanetski]

I will use this video to send as a reference for people who don’t know it yet! As always, perfectly clear explanations. Thank you!

[@TylerRossDrums]

I understand Ratio and Threshold. Thanks!

[@donaldblair1982]

Nice job, I now understand ratio and threshold .

[@O2SRK]

Thanks! Its one of the simplest explanations !

[@ElemiahzFriend]

I understand ratio and threshold! ...FINALLY!! 🕊

[@evoke2976]

This is the most well explained video about this topic on youtube no kidding

[@xyzct]

Excellent. Most videos that cover compression grope around the setting arbitrarily.

[@andrewvalkenburg]

Extremely helpful. Thank you!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@risingphoenix1484]

This was an outstanding explanation and tutorial.... thank you!!!

[@RazKoller]

Honestly, this is the best explanation I've seen on KZbin. Well done!

[@ricardmilos4308]

Very well explained and clear definitions. This is a very difficult issue in sound engineering specially for newbies. With so much subtleties and almost not- perceptible effects on your results, one thing is to understand the basic mechanics of it, but how to apply it in practice takes a hell of lot of knowledge, experience and sensitivity from the engineer. Thanks AU, you make really good stuff!!

[@jordanlear7390]

You're so good at this, you could literally teach audio production to 2nd graders and they would understand. Fantastic job

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Jordan!

[@unexempt]

Easily one of the best channels on KZbin. Keep up the great work guys, you are teaching and inspiring the musicians of the future!

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, ALX. Taylor!

[@quentinguidas2123]

Great video helped understand the uses of a compressor!

[@BassCK]

I understand ratio and threshold. Thank you for the information.

[@PranavamMusics]

Thank you so much for these lessons💯🤝

[@ManleyWalker]

This channel showed up in my feed for the first time today and I couldn't be happier. I've always struggled with compression and this was the clearest explanation I've heard yet. Well done! Liked and subscribed.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to hear that, Manley! Thanks!

[@skfootit]

I understand. I can't thank you enough for your videos.

[@joejtunes]

I understand ratio and threshold! Thanks so much!

[@donwachira1]

yoh bro more love from kenya you helped me actually been struggling to learn from a million videos in youtube but today you just made it easy for me chz men

[@simonperez5521]

Like my kids would say, youre a genius!!! They love mindcraft and mind craft is craft and i music craft, and you explained and educated and touched on so many points. Great session, Masters Session!!!!

[@michjackfan1534]

Your videos always finds me at the right times (around 3AM here when you posted this) lol. Woke up and had to watch again to sink in the info. I always have trouble truly figuring out the compressor, and this vid definitely helps me with that! Your teaching is great; straight to the point in the best way possible. Cheers !

[@AudioUniversity]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to watch even at 3am! I’m glad it was helpful, michjackfan!

[@MyNigellus]

Best tutorial on this, good job

[@Mueseumbeats]

Appreciate the knowledge man!

[@muzikjay]

I understand ratio and threshold. Thanks for getting right into the material. Great teaching.

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@antoinelumbroso2218]

As requested : I understand ratio and treshold. Thanks a lot ! ;)

[@kamzfromtheeastside]

thank you so much sir! I have learnt a bunch!

[@JacksonAxe]

I had a Fostex VF16 multi-track many years ago with an excellent compressor. I still remember how insanely better my drums sounded when using minimal compression. The 2:1 ratio was all it took to bring up some light hits and tame the too loud hits. Also, how it makes a bass guitar smooth as silk is essential for us less talented bassists.

[@Tzeegun]

the best explanation about compressor basics I've ever heard, and so far I heard them a lot. Some of them were good and clear, many of them were not easy to understand. I am impressed and really grateful on this.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked the video!

[@thomfraney6893]

Kyle, you are really one of the best at this. Thanks so much!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BrunoDestrez]

One of the best teachings I’ve seen about compression basic concepts so far. Another one (or several) video about what control helps achieve what (in a musical way rather than technicl) would be awesome.

[@AudioUniversity]

Thanks, Bruno. I’m working on a video like this currently!

[@SisterIndica]

You are such a good teacher.

[@lukasgoodyear9430]

i understand ratio and threshold. thank you

[@ryanjones7392]

Best compressor explanation I've seen yet, thank you so much!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Ryan!

[@davidedwardspiano2340]

Thanks you good explanation of ratio and threshold!

[@focusonevideos]

excellent explanation

[@joshuamaddox4105]

I understand threshold and ratio! Bro this is amazing. It was very easy to understand and I watched this a couple of times to solidify it in my brain. It’s never leaving! Thanks!

[@AudioUniversity]

Very glad to hear that, Joshua! Thanks for watching.

[@braedonavants]

Thank you so much for this!

[@AudioUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@user-zn9os2kk8d]

I understand, thanks. That compressor you use looks great

[@eojeda1375]

Great !!! I understand ratio and threshold !!!! Thanks a LOT !!!