How Attack & Release Works in a Compressor

[@wyrlismike]

I know how to use compression but this was a great video none the less!

[@ЛеонидЗейгер]

this is not exactly correct. the knee doesn’t gradually compress the signal after it exceeds the threshold. the knee gradually rounds the threshold itself, which means that the compression starts to exponentially happen before signal reaches the threshold so that when it reaches it the ratio is exactly how you set it. because of this soft knee results in more compressed signal and a transient loss

[@wassimassaleah5611]

Thanks 🙏 really you helped me to understand compressor ❤

[@danielmwesigwa9652]

God Bless you Joey

[@dariofromthefuture3075]

Absolutely top tier information presented so cleanly. Thank you so much.

[@santana261]

great vídeo... those concepts are crucial..

[@Aeronaut1975]

Superb graphics and content.

[@wahidlahlou]

Well done!

[@TheBinaryWolf]

If release is the amount of time for audio to return to its original volume, why does shortening it reduce unwanted crescendo in a crash cymbal caused by compression? With the threshold set at 16dB and ratio 4:1, a release time of 1 sec causes a cymbal crash to swell up horribly. Setting release to 3 secs ameliorates much of the problem. Yet the duration of the note may be less than 3 secs. Can you throw some light on the matter?

[@stealthwolf2011]

rely good thank for tip i gona make musik now

[@ayoutubecommenter3031]

Does anyone know the song in 0:34? I badly wanna use it as a reference for my mix

[@ayoutubecommenter3031]

Nvm I found it, it's called I Overcome by joey sturgis tones

[@rakatai.i.i8739]

Hey! When it comes to compressors with automatic attack/release controls (LA2As, or some of the settings in the FabFilter C1) what is you advice on those?

[@pedrovanzeler1185]

Optical compressor like the la2a have slower attacks if you want something with a slower attack try that. They are good on vocals for example, or bass. I prefer to have my dynamics under control but I’m not experienced so maybe I’m just not comfortable with stuff like that and tend to avoid them

[@carlovelasco6343]

attack is like a volune knob

[@MegaNancyLover]

Man I wish every mixing tutorial on KZbin was as easy to follow and understand as Joey’s. The way he explains everything with graphics included makes everything so intuitive. Also, he’s very concise and to the point. I love this channel.

[@Djuni]

Feeling the same

[@iutchube]

Can't thank you enough! This is the holy grail of compression.

[@georgeangelakopoulos8884]

Very helpful for us noobs! Thanks!

[@DominicSJarrett]

The attack is _not_ how long it applies compression after the signal passes the threshold. And the release is _not_ how long it stops applying compression once it drops below the threshold. If it actually behaved like this, the gain reduction would be pinned once it passes the threshold (no changes would occur), until it drops below the threshold. Gain changes are happening all the time. And with every gain change, the attack and release envelopes are applied. The attack and release envelopes are still being applied to the signal that's already passed the threshold. Once the signal is above the threshold, the compressor reacts to all gain changes, attacking when the signal is increasing, releasing when the signal is decreasing. The compressor doesn't wait for the signal to drop below the threshold to begin releasing. You can watch this happen for yourself by sending a sine wave to the compressor at 0dB, set the threshold so that it's extremely low (-18dB), then set a ratio to whatever, then automate volume slightly by bringing the signal down by say 3dB so that it drops and increases but nevertheless, it doesn't drop below the threshold, and you'll still see an attack and release envelope from the rise and fall of the signal _above_ the threshold.

[@commonbeats]

Thanks learning lots! What’s the song in the piano example please? All the feels!

[@CONT4MIN4TED]

Hey Joey, if I'm attempting to make a track wider would this be futile if I have it panned to one side? Or does this only work for tracks in the center? Thanks!

[@subgosugeneral7933]

Really helpful for me to understand basics of compressor,btw whats the ending song

[@Jellestraatsma]

"A hard knee means that the compression is applied instantly after the attack. A softer knee means that the compressor reduces the gain a little more gradually after the attack." This is a little misleading as it suggests the knee affects the compressors attack and release, while it really affects the threshold and ratio. A hard knee treats the threshold like binary switch: cross the threshold and the compressor is fully on at the set ratio. Stay below it (even if a little bit) and the compressor does nothing. So this can result in very sudden gain reduction when you have a signal that is very dynamic, and can sound unnatural. A soft knee treats the threshold more like gradient. The gain reduction is applied as the level approaches the threshold, so already kicking in before it actually hits the threshold and is only at full ratio at the set threshold. This is great for leveling very dynamic signals because the louder the signal, the more it is compressed resulting in a more natural sound. This is also why a soft knee, with all other settings untouched, results in more gain reduction (as you can see in the meter on the right in the video) because the compressor is already working before the threshold is crossed, whereas with a hard knee, it would not be doing anything at that point. So what I like to do when dealing with a very dynamic signal is setting a higher threshold, a higher ratio, but with a soft knee. This way the main part of the track is compressed lightly but only the loudest parts are brought down a lot. Although it might be a better Idea to use multiple compressors in series for this. (or even better: use both)

[@jorgepeterbarton]

the knee graduates the ratio around the threshold, its not timing, although it may have such an effect. In fact it will mean a subtler compression is still applied below (but approaching) the threshold without even breaching the threshold! and immediately above the threshold slightly less ratio - hence the curve on the graph. important distinction.

[@kadenstevens8213]

This is the best compression video I’ve ever seen. Thanks so much!

[@Ronn_V]

unrelated but i liked how you used some songs from Deftones for some intros

[@ogPersonA]

Best compression tutorial on KZbin 🤘 thanks

[@doktordrift948]

He relese! He attac! But he always mess up the trac!

[@onajeofficialmusic]

Great Video1 Thanks

[@paulmitchell5600]

THis guys knows what he is talking about !

[@CorwinJHarris]

6:47 Aw mannnn, that general tune is immaculate

[@FarhatGuitarOfficial]

Great!!!! Thank you

[@joeymusic]

You are welcome!

[@maxscholes2033]

Thank you!! This video is insanely helpful and easy to understand. I really appreciate your channel!

[@Harrysound]

Fantastic.

[@darlawkopx]

Love this tutorial ❤️

[@CaptinNimo]

Really good job

[@tomerefrat3767]

Thank you! I never touched my compressor because I didn't know how to set it up, your video really helped!

[@DerVisionaer18]

Does anyone know the song at 0:35?

[@NikolajChristensen]

Great video. Regarding the knee perhaps it's better to use the effect on the ratio (which it really is) instead of attack. Soft knee is a variable ratio around the threshold.

[@ramalshebl60]

0:40 ayo that's a sus waveform 😂😂😂

[@joeymusic]

😇

[@SilverDaysFail]

These guys r badasses

[@kevinsenquiz902]

Nice video 👍🏾

[@TheNightdiver]

Loved hearing my own summer in the video

[@francocolori1681]

Why are you hiding my comment from the other viewers?

[@nithe7330]

giving out mixing secrets?🤣

[@christopherharv]

Automating the release is something I would love to see your take on.

[@bbc2590]

After all the videos I’ve watched on trying to comprehend compression .THIS video is the one that helped me ….thanks!

[@Djuni]

I thank you so much!!!

[@musicinsession]

Man since I found this channel (last week) I think I watched almost all the content! :D And it's great to hear (and learn) something that is properly narrated, instead of just shouting!!

[@galbinobeats7283]

Great tutorial! One of the best I have ever seen!

[@timcat8382]

Excellent explanation. I have been wondering how a guitarist would use the release in a compressor pedal, for two handed tapping and I think you explained it at 8.42, when you spoke about long sustaining notes Vs rapid fire drums.

[@christopherharv]

TY for the piano example, I've always struggled most with compression on piano tracks.

[@LloydMajor]

Thank you for the class!

[@jjaard]

Would suggest always use multi-band compressor, it gives you way more flexibility

[@100chuckjones]

I can not believe this video only has 11k views. This is a text book breakdown. great stuff here.

[@shashiekunthikumar7980]

you're a legend ! , Liked and Subscribed

[@NickTheNRG]

Very helpful video!

[@throttlenerd]

Whoa this is so great, thanks! And the graphics mmmmm!

[@jellewierda3828]

Hay! You stole my beardstyle ;-)

[@thegroove2000]

This is brilliant. Thanks joey.

[@giovannibarresi98]

Great! what is the plugin you use to see track changes in real time? Thanks a lot!

[@henzon4931]

What ia your theme in reaper?

[@voronOsphere]

Another great tutorial! Thank you!

[@nothattommy]

What song are using on setting attack and release?

[@ourownwar]

so damn useful! thanks Joey!

[@smash_adams]

What is the song that has the piano in it?

[@deeplyaffected3520]

Thanks alot, The best!

[@troyedwards9288]

this is so informative

[@raynoobkac]

What is the song in the intro?

[@v.harlot]

Wow, for some reason I've always thought the more the attack knob is cranked up the more attack I'm getting, and it turns out to be the opposite. Thanks for the video!

[@queenpurple8433]

Depends on the compressor

[@joeymusic]

Some compressors make the attack knob backwards

[@BrofUJu]

On a Distressor 10 is slow, 1 is fast. On an 1176 7 is fast, 1 is slow. Make sense? 😝 Different units are different.

[@v.harlot]

Oh, ok! So I might be using my stuff the correct way. Thanks for the feedback guys

[@BrofUJu]

@@v.harlot definitely one of the nice things of using digital compressors where you can set the attack specifically and know what it is

[@tjf6005]

Perfect Lesson! ✌🏾

[@emiliano9321]

I thought knee was something Dynamics based and not time-based??

[@AAllinsonNN]

Knee adjusts the onset of the attack, which is ultimately a time based algorithm that gives you control over dynamics. So, time based, dynamic response. Just as the attack and release are time based but effect dynamic control.

[@miserablesod1]

Nice work Joey...

[@AndrewHarper00]

Cool

[@SavBeatz97]

Great video.

[@RyanLafford]

Great video on the topic! Loved all of the audio examples and showcasing across multiple compressor plugins is very nice :)