From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Understanding makeup gain and gain reduction

Understanding makeup gain and gain reduction

From the course: Audio Foundations: Compression and Dynamic Processing

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Understanding makeup gain and gain reduction

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When an audio signal is compressed, its amplitude above the threshold is reduced according to the ratio. The gain reduction, sometimes labeled GR, tells us how much threshold interaction and ultimately how much gain reduction or signal attenuation is taking place in the compressor at any given time. In simple terms, gain reduction tells us how much the compressor is turning down our signal, measured in decibels. Gain reduction can be monitored in most compressors. When audio is played through a compressor, the amount of gain reduction at any moment is shown on the GR meter. Watch the Gain Reduction meter on this Wave's plug-in as I play some compressed audio through it. (music playing) The lower we set the threshold, the more audio signal is compressed, resulting in more gain reduction. Also, if the ratio is set high, say 8:1, then we will also see more gain reduction than with lower ratios. Because our working compressor is actively attenuating or lowering the level of the signal…

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