Compressor
A dynamic-range compressor that reduces the level of the signal once it rises above Threshold. The amount of reduction is set by Ratio, Attack and Release shape how quickly compression follows the signal, Knee controls how gradually it engages around the threshold, and Makeup Gain brings the overall level back up afterwards.
Library location
Library → Audio Effect → Compressor
Properties
Threshold (dB) (Threshold)
The level above which the signal is compressed.
- Type:
float - Default:
-20 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[-60, 0]
Ratio (Ratio)
The amount of compression applied above the threshold. Higher values compress more strongly (e.g. 4 means 4:1).
- Type:
float - Default:
4 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[1, 20]
Attack (ms) (Attack)
How quickly compression engages after the signal crosses the threshold.
- Type:
float - Default:
10 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[0.1, 500]
Release (ms) (Release)
How quickly compression releases after the signal falls back below the threshold.
- Type:
float - Default:
100 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[1, 5000]
Knee (dB) (Knee)
How gradually compression engages around the threshold. 0 is a hard knee; larger values make the transition smoother (soft knee).
- Type:
float - Default:
6 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[0, 24]
Makeup Gain (dB) (MakeupGain)
Gain applied after compression to compensate for the reduced level.
- Type:
float - Default:
0 - Animatable: Yes
- Range:
[-24, 24]
Notes
- Detection is peak-based: the loudest absolute sample across all channels drives a single gain factor that is applied to every channel, so the stereo image is preserved.
- A soft knee (
Knee > 0) blends the transition around the threshold; settingKneeto0gives a hard knee that switches abruptly at the threshold.
Usage
Set Threshold so that only the loudest parts of the signal exceed it, then dial in Ratio for the desired amount of gain reduction. Use a short Attack to catch transients or a longer one to let them through, and balance the result with Makeup Gain.