glossary
Parallel compression mixes compressed and uncompressed versions of a signal for density and punch.
Parallel compression sends a signal to a compressed path and blends it back with the dry sound. The compressed path can be pushed harder because the original transient remains present.
It is common on drums, vocals, bass, and mix buses when you want more density without flattening everything.
The compressed path may sound extreme by itself, but the blend determines the final effect. Small changes can add sustain, room tone, or midrange forwardness.
Because parallel paths add level, the result should be compared against a level-matched bypass.
Latency compensation and phase behavior matter when dry and processed paths combine. If the tone gets hollow, check routing and plugin delay behavior.
Meter Core helps show whether the parallel blend improved density or mostly made the output louder.