What is compression in music?
Compression in music is audio processing that automatically turns down a signal's loudest moments once they cross a threshold, so a vocal, drum or bass sounds even and controlled. Veena, the free AI DAW in your browser, gives every clip a real compressor, and CoProducer knows what to do with it when you say "make the drums punchier".
What is compression in music doing, knob by knob
- Threshold is the level where compression starts. Anything below it passes untouched.
- Ratio sets how hard it pushes back. At 4:1, a peak 12 dB over the threshold comes out only 3 dB over: 9 dB of gain reduction.
- Attack is how fast it clamps down. A slow attack of 20 to 30 ms lets a drum's front edge through for punch; a fast one of 1 to 5 ms tames it.
- Release is how fast it lets go. Too fast and it flutters; too slow and the next hit arrives still squashed.
Starting settings
Veena's Compressor ships with six presets, each a sensible place to start:
| Preset | Threshold | Ratio | Attack | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle | −20 dB | 2:1 | 100 ms | 300 ms |
| Vocals | −24 dB | 3:1 | 20 ms | 200 ms |
| Drums | −18 dB | 4:1 | 5 ms | 150 ms |
| Master | −16 dB | 2.5:1 | 30 ms | 250 ms |
| Limit | −8 dB | 10:1 | 1 ms | 100 ms |
| Smash | −30 dB | 8:1 | 10 ms | 400 ms |
Mistakes and related terms
Over-compressing drains the life out of a part and makes it pump, so compare with levels matched: louder always sounds better. Limiting is compression at 10:1 or more, used as a ceiling. Sidechain compression lets one sound, usually the kick, push another down so the bass ducks out of its way. For its settings, read sidechain compression explained.
Compress a clip in Veena
Open any clip's FX tab and add the Compressor: Threshold from −60 to 0 dB, Ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, Attack from 1 to 500 ms, Release from 10 ms to 1 second. Or ask for the result: "make the drums punchier", "even out my vocal", "duck the bass under the kick". CoProducer controls the dynamics for you, and every effect it adds stays open to edit in the FX tab. For the bigger picture, see AI mixing, the beginner's guide to what mixing is, and what EQ is. Compress your first mix free.
Try this in Veena
Make a 92 BPM R&B track in Bb minor with a punchy, tightly compressed drum kit, a smooth sub bass that ducks under the kick, lush electric piano chords and plenty of space in the mix for my vocal
Frequently asked questions
Does Veena have a compressor?
Yes: a built-in Compressor with Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release and six presets, on any clip's FX tab. Veena is an AI DAW with a personal music producer built in. Describe the song you want and CoProducer builds it with you — beats, chords, melody, arrangement and mix — as real tracks you can edit, mix and export. Free, in your browser.
What compressor settings should I start with on vocals?
A 3:1 ratio, 20 ms attack and 200 ms release, with the threshold set so the loudest words get 3 to 6 dB of gain reduction. That's the Vocals preset on Veena's Compressor, which starts at −24 dB, 3:1, 20 ms and 200 ms. Load it on your vocal clip, then adjust by ear.
What's the difference between compression and limiting?
A limiter is a compressor with a very high ratio, 10:1 and up, and a very fast attack, used as a ceiling that peaks can't pass. Compression shapes dynamics; limiting stops overs. Veena's Compressor has a Limit preset at −8 dB, 10:1 and 1 ms, and every Veena mix runs into a fixed master limiter.
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