Compression & Dynamics

Compression is the processor people reach for first and understand last. It changes level over time, so its effect depends on the timing settings as much as on the threshold and ratio, and two compressors with the same settings can sound different because their circuits react differently.

Start with the guide on compressor types to see how VCA, FET, optical and variable-mu designs behave, then move to the technique guides on bus glue, parallel blends, sidechain ducking and taming sibilance.

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  Compressor Types Explained: VCA, FET, Optical, Vari-Mu and Digital

  This guide explains the main compressor designs, why each one reacts the way it does, and how to pick the right type for drums, vocals, bass and the mix bus.

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  The SSL-Style Bus Compressor Explained: Controls and Settings

  Read this to understand the console bus compressor that shaped decades of pop mixes, set its threshold, ratio, attack and release with intent, and apply it to a mix bus or drum group.