What Is a Compressor?
Updated October 2026
A compressor reduces the level of a sound once it goes above a threshold. For a voice, it evens out the loud and quiet words so the speaker stays steady.
The short version
- A compressor lowers the loud parts above a threshold you set.
- Ratio sets how much it lowers them; a ratio of about 2 to 1 is gentle.
- Attack and release control how quickly it reacts.
- Make-up gain raises the whole sound back to a usable level.
The short definition
A compressor is a processor that reduces the volume of a sound when it rises above a level called the threshold. The amount of reduction is set by the ratio. Compression makes the loud parts quieter, so the overall level can be raised without the peaks getting too high.
The main controls
- Threshold: the level above which compression starts.
- Ratio: how much the loud parts are reduced. 2 to 1 is gentle, 4 to 1 is firm for voice.
- Attack: how quickly the compressor reacts. Slow attack keeps the start of words.
- Release: how quickly it lets go. Too fast can sound pumpy.
- Make-up gain: raises the level back up after compression.
A gentle setting for voice
Start with a ratio near 2 to 1, a moderate threshold so it works on the loud words only, a slow-to-medium attack and a medium release. Listen. The voice should sound steadier, not squashed. The vocal compression guide has more detail.
Watch for
Too much compression makes a voice sound tired and close, and it raises the room noise between words. Use less compression and a cleaner recording rather than more compression to hide noise.
Even the voice, keep it natural
Tunedzy levels and evens a voice in its finishing steps. Use Before and After to check the voice still sounds like the speaker.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Is a compressor the same as a limiter?
They are related. A limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio that stops the peaks.
Why does my compressed voice sound pumpy?
The release is too fast, or the ratio is too high. Slow the release and lower the ratio.
Should I compress every recording?
Not always. A steady, well-recorded voice may need little or none.
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