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| measure | before | after | change |
|---|---|---|---|
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A textbook feed-forward compressor, every stage visible: a detector (peak, or RMS) reads the level, the gain computer applies threshold, ratio, and a soft knee (the curve above), and attack/release smooth the gain in dB — attack while reduction deepens, release while it lets go. Stereo channels share one gain so the image doesn't wander. Mix below 100% is parallel ("New York") compression. The limiter looks ahead a few ms so it can ramp the gain down before a peak arrives — no output sample crosses the ceiling. Loudness-match A/B plays the original at the processed version's loudness, because louder always sounds "better" — the honest comparison is at equal LUFS. Watch loudness range (LRA, EBU Tech 3342): compression's job is to shrink it. Train your ear on it with the Compression Guesser.