Compression and Dynamic Range Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Compression and Dynamic Range flashcards as text
What does a sidechain input on a compressor allow you to do?
Answer: Trigger compression from a different signal than the one being compressed
A sidechain lets an external signal control the gain reduction, as in ducking music under a voiceover.
What is a limiter essentially?
Answer: A compressor with a very high ratio that prevents peaks from exceeding a ceiling
A limiter uses an extreme ratio (often 10:1 or higher) to stop signal from passing a set ceiling.
Why might you use parallel compression?
Answer: To blend a heavily compressed copy with the dry signal for density without losing transients
Parallel (New York) compression mixes a squashed duplicate under the original to add body while keeping dynamics.
What problem does over-compression most commonly cause?
Answer: A lifeless, flat sound with reduced punch and dynamics
Squashing too much removes the natural loud-soft contrast, leaving the audio dull and fatiguing.
A de-esser is a specialized compressor that targets what?
Answer: Harsh sibilant 'S' frequencies in vocals
A de-esser is a frequency-selective compressor that tames sibilance around 5-8 kHz.
What is the loudness war?
Answer: The trend of mastering tracks ever louder, sacrificing dynamic range
The loudness war refers to heavy compression and limiting used to make records as loud as possible, reducing dynamics.
Streaming platforms normalize loudness using which standard?
Answer: LUFS
Platforms like Spotify and YouTube use LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) targets to normalize playback levels.