Dynamics.

The time it takes for a compressor or limiter to reach its full specified gain reduction after a signal exceeds the t…

A limiter configured to prevent any signal from exceeding a defined ceiling under any circumstances. Unlike a standar…

The application of compression to a group of signals routed to a shared bus, rather than to individual tracks. Used t…

The maximum output level permitted by a limiter. Set below 0 dBFS to prevent digital clipping, particularly intersamp…

Soft clipping is a form of gradual waveform limiting where the signal is progressively compressed as it approaches an…

A dynamics processor that reduces the gain of audio signals that exceed a set threshold by a defined ratio. Used to c…

A frequency-specific compressor designed to reduce harsh sibilance — the "s," "sh," and "t" sounds — in vocal recordi…

A technique using sidechain compression to automatically reduce the level of one signal when another is present. Most…

An equalizer that applies gain changes to specific frequency bands only when the signal in that band exceeds a set th…

The difference between the quietest and loudest parts of an audio signal or recording, measured in decibels. High dyn…

A dynamics processor that increases the dynamic range of a signal by attenuating levels that fall below a set thresho…

The amount by which a compressor, limiter, or gate reduces the level of a signal, measured in decibels. Displayed in …

A dynamics processor that silences or heavily attenuates a signal when it falls below a defined threshold. Used to re…

Light, transparent compression applied to a group bus or mix bus to make individual elements feel cohesive and unifie…

A parameter on a noise gate that defines the minimum time the gate stays open after the signal drops below the thresh…

A peak in a digital audio signal that occurs between two consecutive samples and can exceed 0 dBFS during digital-to-…

The shape of the transition between the uncompressed and compressed regions of a compressor's gain curve, centered ar…

A compressor operating at an extremely high ratio — typically infinity:1 — that prevents a signal from exceeding a se…

A specialized limiter designed for the final stage of mastering, combining transparent peak limiting with true peak m…

A feature in limiters and compressors that allows the processor to "look ahead" in the audio signal by a few millisec…

A statistical measurement of the variation in loudness over the duration of a program, expressed in LU (Loudness Unit…

Gain added after compression to restore the output level to approximately the same loudness as the uncompressed input…

A compressor that divides the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and applies independent compression to each. All…

A technique in which a heavily compressed version of a signal is blended with the original uncompressed signal. Prese…

The amount of gain reduction applied by a compressor relative to how far a signal exceeds the threshold. A 4:1 ratio …

The time it takes for a compressor to return to unity gain after the signal falls below the threshold. A fast release…

A signal routing technique in which the control input of a dynamics processor is driven by a different signal than th…

The application of sidechain technique specifically to compression — using an external signal to trigger and control …

A mastering approach in which the client delivers grouped submixes (stems) — typically drums, bass, music, and vocals…

The level at which a dynamics processor begins to act. Signals below the threshold are unaffected; signals above it a…

A dynamics processor that independently controls the attack and sustain of a signal, allowing the engineer to increas…

A measurement standard that accounts for intersample peaks — real peak levels occurring during digital-to-analog conv…

A type of compressor circuit that uses a voltage-controlled amplifier to apply gain reduction. VCA compressors are kn…