Compressor Settings: Techniques & Types (BGAE Ep.4)
Understanding audio compression is essential for achieving clean, controlled sound. In this episode of The Beginner’s Guide to Audio Engineering, we briefly introduce the four main types of compressors (VCA, FET, Optical, and Variable-Mu) and then take a deep dive into essential compression controls like Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, and Knee. We also discuss how compression shapes dynamics and why gain staging matters.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ The basics of VCA, FET, Optical, and Variable-Mu compressors
✅ How Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release, and Knee affect compression
✅ How compression shapes dynamics in a mix
✅ Why gain staging is important when using compression
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:17 - VCA Compressors
01:55 - FET Compressors
02:19 - Optical (Opto) Compressors
02:46 - Variable-Mu Compressors
03:50 - Jumping into the DAW
04:57 - Threshold
06:07 - Ratio
09:56 - Knee
11:24 - Attack
16:04 - Release
17:58 - Shaping Dynamics
20:14 - Gain Staging
22:13 - Final Thoughts
Common Questions We Answer:
❓ What are the main types of compressors, and how do they differ?
❓ How does threshold impact compression?
❓ What is compression ratio, and how does it affect dynamics?
❓ When should you use fast vs. slow attack & release times?
❓ How does gain staging improve compression settings?
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More Learning Resources:
📖 Read the full blog post: https://wavspot.com
Tags:
#AudioCompressor, #CompressorSettings, #CompressorDynamics #GainStaging, #AudioForBeginners
