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.

Fabfilter Pro-C 2 Compressor Plugin

Fabfilter Pro Bundle

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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[UncleBenjs]

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

[dv]

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

[jeltohn]

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!

[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.

[jessecampbell]

I wateched a bunch of Compression videos and this one is by far the most thorough and easiest to understand. Good job 👏

[samsschool]

Thanks for the video very clear, I would add to your pedagogy arsenal something about how not to do stuff, or what it would sound if you did too much of it

[ElemiahzFriend]

I understand ratio and threshold!

...FINALLY!! 🕊

[admiralcasperr]

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

[jordanlear]

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

[szithaanu]

Easily one of the best explanations of compression I've come across.

[yungprophetmusic]

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

[oldhom]

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

[NonnyStrikes]

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

Truly, thank you again.

[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!

[exhaustnotemusic]

Whenever I need to revise my stuff or learn new stuff, your channel is the first one that I turn to... Love from India <3

[jrunt]

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!

[Brpwndood]

I understand ratio and compression. Actually the best teaching vid ive seen on this

[lesleyscloud]

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.

[LightAsylumOfficial]

Finally, someone made this simple to grasp. Now I understand threshold and ratio. Thank you!

[Alfernav]

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