glossary
Attack time decides whether a compressor grabs the transient or lets the front edge through.
Attack time is the delay between a signal crossing the compressor threshold and the compressor applying most of its gain reduction. Faster attack catches peaks sooner; slower attack lets more transient energy pass.
The exact timing depends on the compressor design, detector, and program material, so the same setting can feel different across plugins.
A very fast attack can flatten drums, soften pick noise, and pull consonants backward. That may be useful for control, but it can also remove the impact that made the sound work.
A slower attack often keeps punch while still controlling sustain or body after the transient.
Adjust attack while listening to the front edge of kicks, snares, bass notes, and vocals. Watch gain reduction, but decide by whether the rhythm still feels alive.
Meter Core helps you compare level before and after compression so an attack change is judged by punch and control rather than extra loudness.