The first adjustable parameter of compression that we’ll look at is the ratio. Same as above, but with a 30:1 ratio. So.. The ratio tells us how much gain reduction is being applied when the compressor starts working. Compression ratio is the first adjustment I make when using a compressor. How much compression occurs is controlled by the ratio. While listening to your entire mix (do not solo the vocal), pull down the threshold until the compressor starts compressing. The ratio determines the amount of compression added to the input audio. How To Nail The Perfect Threshold And Ratio: Set the ratio to a moderate setting (~3:1). FET compression with a 2:1 ratio, medium attack and release, and the threshold just peaking. In the most basic terms, a ratio of 4 to 1 (4.0:1) indicates that for every 4 dB (4.0) of increased volume in your input, the compressor will only allow a 1 dB (1) increase in the output. A 1:1 ratio. This is the classic drum pumping sound. The battle between fidelity and portability was long ago declared no contest, with convenience winning hands-down over sonic quality. For example: A compressor with a threshold at -10dB and a 3:1 ratio is a nice starting point for vocals. Love it or hate it, data compression (not to be confused with audio signal compression, which is a different issue) schemes like MP3, FLAC, AAC, and other relatives have fundamentally changed music as we know it. The ratio is where you determine how much compression you are going to apply to a signal that goes over your threshold. Threshold and ratio determine how much compression is applied, and how aggressive it is. The Ratio sets the slope of the blue line on the graph above the threshold. Opto compression with a slow attack and release, 6:1 ratio and a very low threshold. A compressor can change this ratio (but only in the region of the dynamic range that is above the threshold. Compressor Ratio Math.. :/ If you really want to know the math behind the settings I’ll do my best here to explain it a little. This is the same compression as used above, but with a fast attack. So increase your input level by 2db and you will get a 2db increase in your output level. They work best when tweaked together. So if you have a 4:1 compression ratio a 4db input level will … If you have the ratio set to 3:1 and the threshold is set to -10dbs, for every 3dbs your audio goes over the threshold it’s only going to allow 1db to actually pass. The higher the Ratio the more the loud parts of the audio will be compressed. In a standard compressor (which is downward), a ratio of x:1 attenuates signal to a level of 1 dB above the threshold for every x dB it crosses. To understand this, let’s look at an example. For example, a three to one ratio would mean that if the input goes over the threshold by three dB, the compressor would reduce the output to one dB. 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