Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Compressor

Compressor

Ableton

Compressor is a dynamic range processor that reduces gain for signals above a user-settable threshold, resulting in a louder and punchier sound by controlling peaks and opening up headroom. It features essential controls for threshold and ratio, along with advanced options including attack/release envelope shaping, lookahead detection, sidechain routing, and sidechain EQ for creative dynamics processing.

Key Features

01Threshold and Ratio controls for dynamic compression
02Attack and Release parameters with Auto Release option
03Three operation modes: Peak, RMS, and Expand
04Lookahead times: 0ms, 1ms, and 10ms
05Two envelope follower shapes: Linear and Logarithmic
06External sidechain routing with Gain and Dry/Wet controls
07Sidechain EQ with low-pass filter for frequency-specific triggering
08Gain Reduction meter and multiple display modes: Collapsed, Transfer Curve, and Activity

Things to Try

  • 01Use a slight attack time of 10-50ms to preserve dynamics and accentuate the initial portion of the signal
  • 02Enable sidechain EQ with low-pass filter on a mixed drum track to isolate kick drum frequencies for ducking effects
  • 03Use sidechain listen mode to monitor only the sidechain input while tuning EQ settings
  • 04Apply short release times on full drum kits for creative "sucking" effects, though this can cause pumping

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Compressor by Ableton | Plugin Library