Music Technology: Compression

• Compression is where there is a reduction in the dynamic range to increase the overall gain without exceeding the dynamic limits.
• Created in the 1930s to control the volume in TV/stage productions by the use of a fader to manually control the levels; this is called 'riding the fader'.

Compression nowadays is built into the program, so we can be specific about its controls.

• Advantages 
  • we can change the automation
  • live automatic compression
  • doesn't damage equipment
• Disadvantages
  • it can be exploited, and squashed - so we do not have the dynamic peaks
  • loses the clarity if compressed too much
  • the loudness wars (+dB higher)