ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the functionality of compressors and expanders and their sonic effects on an audio signal. Dynamic range describes the difference between the loudest and quietest levels of an audio signal. Some signals have an inherently wide dynamic range; others have a relatively narrow range. Dynamics processing such as compression, limiting, expansion, and gating all offers means to sculpt and shape audio signals in unique and time-varying ways. Dynamic range controllers can be used to smooth out fluctuating levels of a track, or to create interesting timbral modifications that are not possible with other types of signal processing devices. Dynamic range compression increases the average level through a two-stage process starting with a gain reduction of the loudest or peak levels followed by a linear output gain, sometimes called makeup gain. The chapter explores the sonic effect of a compressor with a low threshold, high ratio, and very short attack time on drums.
