# All about compression
Compression is a [[Nonlinear process]].
It is composed of two processes: gain reduction on the highest levels followed by a linear output gain called makeup gain.[^1]
I like to set up compressors as follows: get an idea of what kind of attack and release I want, dial in a threshold, then adjust ratio to taste.
- [[Understanding compression ratios]]
- [[Setting compressor attack and release]]
- [[Setting compressor knee]]
- [[Compressing vocals]]
- [[Tube compression]]
- [[Optical compression]]
- [[Diode-bridge compression]]
- [[FET compression]]
- [[VCA compression]]
- [[Use RMS compression to retain more of the attack]]
- [[Using sidechain EQ on your compressor to reduce pumping]]
- [[Parallel compression]]
- [[Feedback compression]]
- [[Feed-forward compression]]
- [[Upward compression]]
- [[Use bus compression for glue]]
- [[Using compressors as color boxes]]
- [[Use a limiter when you don't want to change the sound]]
[^1]: [[Audio Production and Critical Listening]] pg. 79