glossary
Downward compression turns loud moments down once they cross the threshold.
Downward compression is the standard compressor behavior: when the signal exceeds the threshold, the processor reduces gain according to the ratio, attack, release, and knee.
It narrows dynamic range by lowering peaks and loud phrases rather than raising quiet details.
On vocals, bass, drums, and buses, downward compression can stabilize level and shape punch. Too much can flatten transients and make the source feel smaller.
The same threshold can behave very differently after clip gain, input trim, or bus level changes.
A gain-reduction meter shows how much level is being turned down, but it does not prove the result is louder, clearer, or more balanced.
Meter Core keeps loudness and peak readings available so compression decisions stay connected to the final level.