What is Compression? What does Compression do?

Compression in music

Compression is a technique used in music production and recording to control the dynamic range of a track. Dynamic range refers to the difference between the loudest and softest parts of a track.

Compression works by reducing the level of loud sounds and increasing the level of quiet sounds, resulting in a more consistent overall volume. This can make a track sound fuller and more balanced, and can also help to prevent distortion and clipping.

There are different types of compression, such as peak compression and RMS compression, but they all work by analyzing the audio signal and adjusting it accordingly. A compressor typically has several parameters that can be adjusted, including threshold, ratio, attack, and release.

Threshold determines the level at which compression begins to take effect. Ratio determines the amount of compression applied to the audio signal. Attack and release determine how quickly the compressor responds to changes in the audio signal.

Compression can be applied to individual tracks, such as vocals or drums, or to the entire mix. It is an essential tool in music production and recording, and can be used to achieve a variety of effects, from subtle volume adjustments to creative sound design.

In summary, Compression is a widely used technique in music production and recording to control the dynamic range of a track. It makes a track sound fuller and more balanced, and can also help to prevent distortion and clipping. It has different types of compression, such as peak compression and RMS compression, and they all work by analyzing the audio signal and adjusting it accordingly with the help of parameters like threshold, ratio, attack and release.