Editing Dynamic range compression (section)

=== Threshold ===
A compressor reduces the level of an audio signal if its amplitude exceeds a certain ''threshold''. Threshold is commonly set in [[decibels]] ([[dBFS]] for digital compressors and [[dBu]] for hardware compressors),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.audiomasterclass.com/newsletter/audio-compressor-controls-the-threshold-control |title=Audio compressor controls: The threshold control |last=Mellor |first=David |date=2017-11-16 |website=Audio Masterclass |access-date=2019-07-31}}</ref> where a lower threshold (e.g.{{nbsp}}−60&nbsp;dB) means a larger portion of the signal is treated. When the signal level is below the threshold, no processing is performed and the input signal is passed, unmodified, to the output. Thus a higher threshold of, e.g.,{{nbsp}}−5&nbsp;dB, results in less processing, less compression.

Threshold timing behavior is subject to attack and release settings (see [[#Attack and release|below]]). When the signal level goes above threshold, compressor operation is delayed by the ''attack'' setting. For an amount of time determined by the ''release'' after the input signal has fallen below the threshold, the compressor continues to apply dynamic range compression.