The Compressor plug-in reduces the dynamic range of signals that exceed a selected threshold by a specific amount. The increase of input signal needed to cause a 1-dB increase in the output signal of the compressor is called the compression ratio. With a ratio of 4:1, for example, an 8-dB increase of input produces a 2-dB increase in the output.

Audio material often varies in loudness, and can be above the threshold at one moment and below it the next. The Attack slider sets the Compressor's response time, or attack. The Release slider sets the amount of time that it takes for the Compressor's gain to return to its original level.

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