discover your compressor : super basic series - part 3

​what does the ratio control do on a compressor?
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​Ratio - Ratio is the amount you will allow the audio signal to go above the chosen threshold.  

So, if your ratio control is set to 2:1, you flip 2:1 upside down, and turn it into a fraction = 1/2. 

Ratio and Threshold Work Together.

So, if the threshold is set to -6db, and your ratio is set to 2:1 - when the audio signal gets up to -6db, the compressor will only allow 1/2 of the original signal above the threshold.  If the ratio is set to 4:1, it will only allow 1/4 of the signal above the threshold.  If the ratio is set to 6:1, then only 1/6 of the signal will be allowed over the threshold. If the compressor is set to infinity, then your compressor has been turned into a limiter, and it won't let any sound above the threshold. 

The higher the Ratio, the more aggressive the compression.
​
Check out my handy-dandy Compression Ratio Chart for reference:

​Simple huh?

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