glossary
Knee shape decides whether compression starts abruptly or eases in around the threshold.
A hard knee applies the selected ratio more directly once the signal crosses the threshold. A soft knee begins compression more gradually before and around that point.
Both can use the same ratio, but they feel different because the transition into gain reduction changes.
Soft knee compression often suits vocals, bass, and bus work where transparent leveling matters. Hard knee compression can feel more assertive on drums, parallel paths, or effect-style control.
The knee setting is easiest to judge when level-matched, because louder playback can make any setting seem better.
Adjust makeup gain so the bypassed and processed signals are close in loudness. Then listen for envelope shape rather than volume bias.
Meter Core helps keep the comparison honest by showing LUFS and peak changes while you refine compression feel.