To use compression most effectively, the attack time should be set so that signals exceed the threshold level long enough to cause an increase in the average level. This helps to ensure that gain reduction doesn't decrease the overall volume.

Release times should be set long enough so that if signal levels repeatedly rise above the threshold, they cause gain reduction only once. If the release time is too long, a loud section of the audio material could cause gain reduction that persists through a soft section. Of course, compression has many creative uses that break these rules.

The Compressor has built-in metering that allows you to monitor the amount of gain reduction taking place. The Gain Reduction meter usually remains at 0-dB level when the input signal is below the threshold, and falls to the left to show the amount of gain reduction in decibels when the input signal exceeds the threshold.