Abstract
Compressors are used to obtain a more consistent level by reducing loud parts of the audio material without squashing the peaks, thereby decreasing the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of the signal.
When used correctly, compressors can make instruments and voices sound solid, tight and more powerful by compacting the energy contained within the sound. On static sounds such as programmed drums, for example, a compressor can be used to change the envelope—the attack, decay, sustain and release of the sound.
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Audio 12.1
Audio example—Signal with moderate compression (M4A 3238 kb)
Audio 12.2
Audio example—Signal with heavy compression (M4A 3258 kb)
Audio 12.3
Audio example—Signal demonstrating attack setting (slow, medium and fast) (M4A 8977 kb)
Audio 12.4
Audio example—Signal demonstrating release setting (slow, medium and fast) (M4A 8920 kb)
Audio 12.5
Audio example—Signal demonstrating ratio setting (1.5:1, 4:1 and 10:1) (M4A 9166 kb)
Audio 12.6
Audio example—Signal demonstrating increasing threshold from +10 dB to −20 dB (M4A 3021 kb)
Audio 12.7
Audio example—Signal without and with sidechain compression (M4A 3702 kb)
Audio 12.8
Audio example—Drums without and with parallel compression (M4A 2758 kb)
Audio 12.9
Audio example—Signal with no limiting (M4A 1947 kb)
Audio 12.10
Audio example—Signal with moderate limiting (M4A 2008 kb)
Audio 12.11
Audio example—Signal with extreme limiting (M4A 2135 kb)
Audio 12.12
Audio example—Mandolin with moderate expansion (M4A 2628 kb)
Audio 12.13
Audio example—Mandolin with heavy expansion (M4A 2429 kb)
Audio 12.14
Audio example—Guitar noisy signal (M4A 2448 kb)
Audio 12.15
Audio example—Guitar noise gated (M4A 2420 kb)
Audio 12.16
Audio example—Sibilant vocal (M4A 1700 kb)
Audio 12.17
Audio example—Sibilant vocal de-essed (M4A 1714 kb)
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Duggal, S. (2024). Dynamics. In: Record, Mix and Master. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40067-4_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40067-4_12
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Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
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