Audio effects
Compressor
Reduces the dynamic range by attenuating signals above a threshold.
In this guide
Add it to a track
Select the destination track, open Plugins, and choose Add Effect. Find this device in Library → Effects. Effects process the signal from the devices before them in the chain.
Controls
| Control | What to listen or look for |
|---|---|
| Lookahead | Gives the detector advance notice of peaks by delaying the audio; this adds latency. |
| Auto Makeup | Automatically compensates for the level change caused by the processing. |
| Auto Attack | Lets the compressor choose its attack timing from the incoming signal. |
| Auto Release | Lets the dynamics processor adapt its release timing to the incoming signal. |
| Input Gain | Sets the level entering the effect; higher input can drive level-sensitive processing harder. |
| Threshold | Sets the level at which the dynamics processor starts responding. |
| Ratio | Sets how strongly levels above the threshold are compressed. |
| Knee | Softens the transition into compression around the threshold. |
| Attack Time | Sets how quickly this stage responds when the signal rises. |
| Release Time | Sets how quickly this stage returns as the signal falls. |
| Makeup Gain | Restores level after compression without changing the threshold. |
| Dry/Wet | Blends the original signal with the processed signal; 100% gives only the processed sound. |
| Detector | Chooses instantaneous peak detection or RMS detection of the signal's average energy. |
| Mode | Switches between compression and expansion of the signal's dynamic range. |
| Sidechain Filter | Filters the signal used by the detector without directly filtering the main audio. |
| Filter Type | Chooses the filter shape, such as a low-pass, high-pass, or bell. |
| Filter Freq | Sets the frequency where the filter acts on the sound. |
| Filter Q | Sets the filter's resonance or bandwidth; higher values make a narrower, stronger emphasis. |
| Filter Gain | Boosts or cuts the selected filter band. |
| Listen | Auditions the detector's filtered signal to help choose which frequencies trigger the effect. |
| Envelope | Chooses the shape of the detector envelope's rise and fall. |
| Lookahead Time | Gives the detector advance notice of peaks by delaying the audio; this adds latency. |
| Character | Chooses Clean, VCA, FET or Opto compression behavior. Check which timing and detector controls remain available for the chosen character. |
| Output Distortion | Chooses the output stage's distortion character after compression. |
| Drive | Pushes the signal into nonlinear processing, adding distortion and harmonics. |
| Output | Sets the signal level leaving this stage. |
Work with this device
Start with a short passage that represents your material. Change one control at a time. Compare at a similar listening level, using the device's power control to bypass it. Save a version of the project before making a large change.
Current behavior
Character changes the compression response; some controls can be disabled for the chosen character or mode. Output Distortion follows the compression mix. Sidechain Listen bypasses that distortion. Drive sets its color intensity; Output sets the final level.
Dawnamite user guide for macOS. For changes between versions, see update history.