Compression
In very simple terms, compressors are like automatic volume controls that kick in when the input signal exceeds a preset level. Then, once the input level has fallen back below that threshold level, the compressor resets itself and ceases to have any effect on the sound. Depending on the sophistication or design of the compressor itself, users may be able to set the level at which the compressor is activated, the speed of response, the speed at which it resets, and the overall output level of the compressor itself. We’ll explore those controls in more detail later, but first let’s discuss the origins of electronic compression.
Narrow View
For our purposes, dynamic range can be defined as the difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a musical performance. This caused technical challenges during the analogue audio era, when recordings were made direct to disk or onto magnetic tape. Both formats have a noise floor that can be audible when music is at its quietest, and, in extreme cases, disc
