What Are The Different Types Of Compressors?.

This is useful to compensate for the gain loss due to compression.

“Output gain” allows you to control the gain of the track after compression. The compression “ratio” refers to how much a compressed signal is attenuated. It normally comes in the range of 40 ms to 5 seconds. It refers to the time it takes for the compression to be fully lifted off of the signal. The “release” is the exact opposite of the attack. The fast attack ranges from 20 – 800 microseconds, whereas a slow attack is anywhere between 10 to 100 milliseconds. “Attack” control refers to the time it takes for the compressor to fully compress the signals. Hard knee means that when signals exceed the threshold, the compressor is enabled immediately, and it feels “snappy.” On the other hand, a soft knee means that when signals exceed the threshold, the compressor is enabled gradually, making it feel softer. There are two types of knees hard knee and soft knee. The “knee” corresponds to the way the compressor converts from a no compression state to a compression state.

Else, the compressor will be in a no compression state/disabled. For example, if the threshold is set at -8dB, all signals which exceed that will enable the compressor to force those signals to duck down in gain to fit the limit (i.e., compress them). Compressors function similarly to limiters, as in both plugins work to reduce the dynamic range of the audio, which is the difference in volume between the quietest and the loudest sounds in a track.Īpplying compression makes your track sound more leveled and cleaner since compression aims to maintain a good level of loud and quiet parts.Ī “threshold” is a limit beyond which the compressor is enabled. To understand Opto Compressors, we need to know how compression works and the necessary controls available to you. However, one type of compressor that seems to be gaining some traction is the Opto Compressor, and we will discuss it in this article.

Others implement digital technology to achieve a snappy, clean sound on drums, vocals, etc. Some compressor plugins are modeled after classic hardware units to provide an analog, vintage, warmer feel. IK Multimedia White 2A Leveling Amplifierįrom tube to VCA compressors, producers use them for different sound signatures, feel, and overall vibe. London Acoustics – Brighton Opto Tube Compġ0. In this post we will discuss the best Opto compressor plugins available in 2022:ħ. The plugin’s market has become saturated with all types and kinds of compressors. Over the years, the use of compressors has become necessary for mixing and mastering.

1176 compressor plugin comparison