QUICK TIPS

1Using compressors doesn’t mean making things louder. To compare compressed and uncompressed signals, match both signals’ output volumes as closely as you can. It’s the ‘internal’ dynamic shape of a sound – rather than just its overall volume – that counts here.

2If your chosen compressor features a Mix dial, this lets you set a balance between the Dry, unprocessed sound and its compressed treatment. This is a great way to reduce more extreme compression settings if they sound overpowering.

3If there’s no Mix dial, your compressor can still be used for parallel treatments. Set up your chosen compressor on a new auxiliary channel and use the auxiliary volume fader to introduce the parallel signal alongside the original.

4If you’ve bounced a mix file with a particularly wide dynamic range, don’t expect your compressor to be solely responsible for managing the difference between quiet and loud sections. Volume automation of the mix file can play a vital role too.