What is Compression Threshold?

Compression Threshold is the level at which a compressor begins to reduce the volume of an audio signal. It is known for determining when compression is applied.

The threshold is typically set in decibels (dB), and any signal that exceeds this level will trigger gain reduction according to the compressor’s ratio and other settings.

Compression Threshold emphasizes control over dynamics, allowing engineers to decide which parts of a signal are affected and which remain untouched.

A lower threshold results in more of the signal being compressed, while a higher threshold limits compression to only the loudest peaks.

Today, Compression Threshold is a key parameter in mixing and mastering, valued for its role in shaping dynamic range, controlling peaks, and achieving consistent audio levels.