Compression
Compression is the process that helps control the audio dynamics to bring about a more even leveled sound between the loudest and softest sounds. This is done by what is widely known as a compressor limiter and is very useful when trying get that cohesive sound while being able to reverse the loss of gain.
Ways that compression is used can vary because of the different dynamics from song to song but the main thing to always adhere to is that you don't want to use too much compression or too little. A lot of sound processors are going to only be used in subtle ways so that there is no over doing it.
The different controls usually found on the compressor is the threshold, gain, knee, attack, ratio, & output controls. Each one are adjusted as needed an the usage is dictated by a songs unique dynamic properties. Like it was said before, no songs are created equal to be mastered the exact same way in the mastering studio. It takes a trained ear to hear just how much or how little compression to put on a song so that the dynamic range is effected just enough, but not destroyed.
