By far one of the best and clearest explanations about compressors I've ever seen. The idea of using the drive of the amp to detect when the compressor kicks in is just perfect. Great job, Pete!
I use a Keeley two knob compressor. I like that its got only two knobs, it's less confusing. I welcomed your explanation on these important tools. To hear an accomplished player/teacher like yourself explain it, I pick it up much easier. Thank you Pete, your lessons always hit home!
Thank you for the compression tutorial. That's a good compressor to demonstrate what a studio compressor does because it has pretty well every control you'd find on a studio compressor.
Hey guys and gals! If you are not getting Pete and Tim's video series, you have no Idea what your missing! ANYTHING Pete releases is top notch and incredible. I have learn2d so much from him and his compadre Tim! Pete does not know me and this is unsolicited. Just gotta pass the word along! Thanks Pete for helping this 54 year old geezer take it to another level!
I'm very thankful that Pete took the time to put this together. The sound examples were one of the first videos on the subject that audibly relayed each control's function. Not simple to do on this platform, so kudos! It may also help others to point out that analog audio compression and computer file compression are quite different from each other. They both will affect your audio quality, but in much different ways.
Excellent job. Compression is tough to explain, especially in a short time. You hit the high points without dumbing it down. It took me years to really get a handle on it and I'm learning more all the time. Cheers!
I just subscribed to this dude..... He seems genuine, explains things without being condescending, and he is simple and clear. I am now a fan, and a fan of his channel. Thank you Pete.
Thank you, thank you for this Tone series -- and your clear explanations and demos of the pedals and the settings. Straightforward and no wasted goofing around, which is much appreciated.
Awesome video, Pete! Easily the most misunderstood and abused effect. The mark of a good compressor is that it shouldn't be overly obvious to most when it's on, but when you turn it off it should be readily apparent. Set correctly these things can work some serious magic!
The best video on what compressors do I have seen, well explained and demonstrated . Now I understand what compressors do a lot better. Thank you, Pete.
Thanks very much for this, Pete! It's the best and clearest explanation and demonstration of compression controls I've ever seen. And thanks to Tim for linking to it!
Pete, Just wanted to say thanks so much for all your videos and knowledge that you share. I've learned so much about technique as well as gear from all of your videos, and really appreciate your willingness to take time out of your schedule to educate.
Great explanation Pete...I will say that whenever anyone asks me what compression is and what it sounds like, I usually refer them to the John and George solo on "Nowhere Man". It's an exaggerated example, but I think it is one that just abut anybody can hear and understand.
Pete! Thank you for this video (and all the many others), I'm finally grasping how a compressor works! I'll need to watch it a few more times for it to really sink in. Thanks so much for sharing your musical knowledge and demonstrating various musical gear. You're the best. Aloha!
I am just now discovering Pete Thorn! AWESOME! The best training videos I have EVER seen! A perfect voice, a perfect knowledge level, a perfect teacher's presentation skill. THANKS SO MUCH! 🤗
Very nice discussion about a vital piece of gear! I'm a university educator and I wish more of my colleagues took the time to properly *explain* concepts like you have, no matter the subject...
Thank you for demystifying the “secret code” of compression I’ve been having issues with my tone I’m using a lp and it sounds quite harsh so I’m trying to get it to sound more even and smooth.
brilliant Explanation. Thx for that. BTW: it makes a difference where in your chain you use the compressor: after the distortion means you can roll back volume, get less distortion but volume stays the same.
Great vid, as always Pete. You have that rare knack of being able to impart knowledge in a clear, easily understood way. P.S. Nerd alert and useless trvia - 2026 is the postcode of Bondi, NSW, Australia......for those who were wondering.
Thanks Pete. Good technical description of compression. Could you do a Part II that gets into general settings for the esthetic side of compressors, and in different styles, especially live applications. For example, do you use a compressor to push a drive or do you prefer a booster? How do you work with a compressor to help an uncooperative amp get great sustain and feedback without squashing the signal, unwanted feedback or extra noise? Would a compressor always go behind a drive pedal, or would it work in front for some things, maybe leveling out a boosted lead by setting the threshold and ratio correctly. Thanks.
Great man. I can honestly say I was confused about compression for a very very long time til I got my axe fx and was able to experiment. A video like this would've saved me tons of time. Ill share it with my students!
Compression is a subtle effect. It creates sustain with a clean sound so you don't have to use loads of gain to create long notes. The BOSS CS3 is great for this although it adds a glassy sheen which you either like or you dont. Its great in a smooth jazz solo situation where you want long legato notes without distortion. It is great if you want to sound like Larry Carlton. Try playing "It was only Yesterday" or "Room 335" with a clean sound and a compressor to give you those long notes. Try playing "Mercy mercy mercy" with a compressor. Sounds great! Why people use compression on chord work is a mystery to me as it removes all the dynamics which is the opposite to what ou want to achieve if you want to sound like Chic or something similar.
Pete is doing exactly this with the piece at the end. Listen to the lead sound.Without the compressor the lead parts would be lost and weak sounding. Basically, long notes without loads of gain.
I don't do that too much- but I'd use something like a DBX rack compressor if I did. I recently got a DBX 500 series comp in my studio, and I'm about to do a demo (for the Meris Mercury reverb) where I use it post-amp, after my reactive load.
Great job at explaining compression. The problem I always have is not knowing at what level to set the threshold. Is it based on playing dynamics, attack of the pick on the strings, or what?
the threshold really controls when the compression kicks in. So, hit the strings hard- and adjust the threshold until you hear the compressor kicking in, reducing loud peaks. Now, you can keep reducing the threshold until even soft pick attacks trigger the compression. It's up to you! Then, increase the gain to make up for the reduced volume the compression creates. What I do- is bring up the gain until the volume is the same as when I have comp off and hit a loud pick attack. The result- you'll hear more sustain, the notes and chords will ring out, whereas with no compression, you'll hear a loud lick attack and then the sound falls off quickly.
Thanks for this insight, Pete! Now I finally understand. It's the attack on the strings/instrument that engages the threshold. From my research, I've been watching people tweak the threshold until they see a bit of compression happening, but I always thought it had to do with determining the volume levels in an actual audio wave. From what it sounds, it's mostly trial and error, but it seems a lot simpler than before. I'm assuming the release time parameter is what gives the compressor the name compressor/sustainer. Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks so much for replying with your insights.
This video was simple, very easy to follow and cleared up something I didn't fully understand for a long time now. Thanks! It would be really cool to do a video on when it would be appropriate to use compression and what it can do to a guitar in the mix and the negatives of over using it on guitar.
I've never quite got my head around the compressor, even though I do use it a lot. I've got a couple of settings I like for different things but haven't really understood the whys and hows. This is the first time I have heard it explained and demonstrated in a way where I can make sense of it. So much so that it now seems so obvious that I feel like an idiot for not really getting something so simple! Which illustrates how well you've explained it. Thank you. I feel like I know what I am doing with compression so much more now.
Thank you so much for all your vids explanations I always doubted when I saw all these other bids on the same information cuz I was positive when I got home but I usually play it would be different thanks again for bringing all this out all the best to you peace, Jay.
As always, great video, Pete! I think for a lot of people it would have been useful to go into a little more depth on the threshold setting. Playing softly vs. playing aggressively, demonstrating how the compression doesn't kick in until you play loud enough to cross the threshold. But again, very thorough and helpful.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Mayson Avi i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im in the hacking process now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Mayson Avi HOLY **** IT REALLY WORKED :O Literally hacked my IG account within ~ 45 minutes by using the site. Had to pay 15 bucks but for sure worth the money =) Thanks so much you saved my account :D
Thanks for the clear explanation of all these controls. I've used a couple cheap compressors which although they seem to add signal strength/sustain they also add more noise when not played through. In other words the compressor itself has a problematic noise floor. This has left me using the default limiter setting built in when recording with my Zoom H6 (which isn't bad). I'll probably have to shop around for a quality compressor.
Just realized I didn't mention you never mentioned what KNEE was. The graph of the effect looks like a human knee... if people realized that was where this seemingly technical term came from they might get it easier.
Cool! Totally separate note, have you ever seen Craig Anderton's "Electronic Projects For Musicians". book? Best FX book ever written IMHO. Keep up the great work! Hope new CD is on the way!?!?!? Love your work!!
As always, Pete is cogent and on point, - one of the true gurus of guitar sound! Listen up and your future self will thank you :) Rock on, Pete! You're awesome... sf
I know what most of guitar pedals can do but most of the time I have a lot of problem to find out the real effect of each knobs on these pedals. I'll check your channel to look at some pedals you can probably have done some tutorials about the knobs effect they can effectively do. Thanks in advance for these useful tutorials. Your really good guitar playing help a lot to understand too !
Thanks, Pete! So many compressor demos I’ve seen over the years have been: Here’s without the compressor. (play) Here is with it. (difference so subtle that I don’t hear it) Huge difference, right! (No, no it wasn’t.)
By far one of the best and clearest explanations about compressors I've ever seen. The idea of using the drive of the amp to detect when the compressor kicks in is just perfect. Great job, Pete!
this is the best
explanation of compression I've seen. great work Pete. outstanding talent.
I use a Keeley two knob compressor. I like that its got only two knobs, it's less confusing. I welcomed your explanation on these important tools. To hear an accomplished player/teacher like yourself explain it, I pick it up much easier. Thank you Pete, your lessons always hit home!
Hi Jimmie- I generally dig simpler compressors too- less to fiddle with! ha
Thank you for the compression tutorial. That's a good compressor to demonstrate what a studio compressor does because it has pretty well every control you'd find on a studio compressor.
The first person on UA-cam that I've heard explain compression clearly and correctly.
For me compressor is the hardest effect to deal with. This was a quite good explanation about the basics. Thx Pete!
Hey guys and gals! If you are not getting Pete and Tim's video series, you have no Idea what your missing! ANYTHING Pete releases is top notch and incredible. I have learn2d so much from him and his compadre Tim! Pete does not know me and this is unsolicited. Just gotta pass the word along! Thanks Pete for helping this 54 year old geezer take it to another level!
I'm very thankful that Pete took the time to put this together. The sound examples were one of the first videos on the subject that audibly relayed each control's function. Not simple to do on this platform, so kudos!
It may also help others to point out that analog audio compression and computer file compression are quite different from each other. They both will affect your audio quality, but in much different ways.
Best explanation I've ever found! Awesome down to earth guy with no ego too.
Thanks Randy!
Excellent job. Compression is tough to explain, especially in a short time. You hit the high points without dumbing it down. It took me years to really get a handle on it and I'm learning more all the time. Cheers!
I just subscribed to this dude..... He seems genuine, explains things without being condescending, and he is simple and clear. I am now a fan, and a fan of his channel. Thank you Pete.
Thank you, thank you for this Tone series -- and your clear explanations and demos of the pedals and the settings. Straightforward and no wasted goofing around, which is much appreciated.
Best video on compression. Great explanation and even better sound examples.
This is like a living manual of compression. Amazing explanation.
2 years after this video is released... I find it and it's amazing, really fantastic explanation
Awesome video, Pete! Easily the most misunderstood and abused effect. The mark of a good compressor is that it shouldn't be overly obvious to most when it's on, but when you turn it off it should be readily apparent. Set correctly these things can work some serious magic!
Pete....thank you. Your explanation and demo are so easy to understand. You dont use jargons to explain. You used simple easy to understand words.
The best video on what compressors do I have seen, well explained and demonstrated . Now I understand what compressors do a lot better. Thank you, Pete.
Thanks Pete. Tim Pierce sent me here and he's right, this is the clearest explanation I've seen on setting up a compressor.
Tim was so nice, to share my video. Thanks John!
Thanks very much for this, Pete! It's the best and clearest explanation and demonstration of compression controls I've ever seen. And thanks to Tim for linking to it!
Pete, Just wanted to say thanks so much for all your videos and knowledge that you share. I've learned so much about technique as well as gear from all of your videos, and really appreciate your willingness to take time out of your schedule to educate.
One of the best videos explaining compression
Great explanation Pete...I will say that whenever anyone asks me what compression is and what it sounds like, I usually refer them to the John and George solo on "Nowhere Man". It's an exaggerated example, but I think it is one that just abut anybody can hear and understand.
Pete! Thank you for this video (and all the many others), I'm finally grasping how a compressor works! I'll need to watch it a few more times for it to really sink in. Thanks so much for sharing your musical knowledge and demonstrating various musical gear. You're the best.
Aloha!
I am just now discovering Pete Thorn! AWESOME! The best training videos I have EVER seen! A perfect voice, a perfect knowledge level, a perfect teacher's presentation skill. THANKS SO MUCH! 🤗
Very nice discussion about a vital piece of gear! I'm a university educator and I wish more of my colleagues took the time to properly *explain* concepts like you have, no matter the subject...
+carabidus thank u!
Very helpful thank you!
That was the best explana-demo of compression I've ever seen Pete. Thanks.
thanks!
Amazing video. Using the amp clipping to illustrate the signal reaching the amp/being attenuated is genius. Thank you Pete!
I've always loved the sound of a bit of compression on guitar. Thanks for this!
Great video thank you. I love the way you used the gain make up to show the effect of the compressor cutting in and out - that's genius.
Thank you for demystifying the “secret code” of compression I’ve been having issues with my tone I’m using a lp and it sounds quite harsh so I’m trying to get it to sound more even and smooth.
One of the most useful videos I've watched lately
He Pete
It’s so relaxing and informative to watch you explaining these sounds secrets. Clear, to the point and inspiring! Thank you from the heart
Great way to explain compression..you're a great teacher, Pete! 🤘🏻
Such a clear and practical explanation
Your hair gets nicer as time goes on. Kudos!
+Walter Worrall ha! Thanks Walter
Great licks and great hair. It's what rock stars are made of.
You looked awesome in your shaggy days!
brilliant Explanation. Thx for that. BTW: it makes a difference where in your chain you use the compressor: after the distortion means you can roll back volume, get less distortion but volume stays the same.
Great vid, as always Pete. You have that rare knack of being able to impart knowledge in a clear, easily understood way.
P.S. Nerd alert and useless trvia - 2026 is the postcode of Bondi, NSW, Australia......for those who were wondering.
Thanks Pete. Good technical description of compression. Could you do a Part II that gets into general settings for the esthetic side of compressors, and in different styles, especially live applications. For example, do you use a compressor to push a drive or do you prefer a booster? How do you work with a compressor to help an uncooperative amp get great sustain and feedback without squashing the signal, unwanted feedback or extra noise? Would a compressor always go behind a drive pedal, or would it work in front for some things, maybe leveling out a boosted lead by setting the threshold and ratio correctly. Thanks.
so wish I had these kind of tutorials about 20 years ago! great video
+Andrew Bettis me too! Ha
Great man. I can honestly say I was confused about compression for a very very long time til I got my axe fx and was able to experiment. A video like this would've saved me tons of time. Ill share it with my students!
Compression is a subtle effect. It creates sustain with a clean sound so you don't have to use loads of gain to create long notes. The BOSS CS3 is great for this although it adds a glassy sheen which you either like or you dont. Its great in a smooth jazz solo situation where you want long legato notes without distortion. It is great if you want to sound like Larry Carlton. Try playing "It was only Yesterday" or "Room 335" with a clean sound and a compressor to give you those long notes. Try playing "Mercy mercy mercy" with a compressor. Sounds great! Why people use compression on chord work is a mystery to me as it removes all the dynamics which is the opposite to what ou want to achieve if you want to sound like Chic or something similar.
Pete is doing exactly this with the piece at the end. Listen to the lead sound.Without the compressor the lead parts would be lost and weak sounding. Basically, long notes without loads of gain.
This is a really interesting video for pre-amp compression. Do you have one giving tips for compression between the pre and power amps?
I don't do that too much- but I'd use something like a DBX rack compressor if I did. I recently got a DBX 500 series comp in my studio, and I'm about to do a demo (for the Meris Mercury reverb) where I use it post-amp, after my reactive load.
Great job at explaining compression. The problem I always have is not knowing at what level to set the threshold. Is it based on playing dynamics, attack of the pick on the strings, or what?
the threshold really controls when the compression kicks in. So, hit the strings hard- and adjust the threshold until you hear the compressor kicking in, reducing loud peaks. Now, you can keep reducing the threshold until even soft pick attacks trigger the compression. It's up to you! Then, increase the gain to make up for the reduced volume the compression creates. What I do- is bring up the gain until the volume is the same as when I have comp off and hit a loud pick attack. The result- you'll hear more sustain, the notes and chords will ring out, whereas with no compression, you'll hear a loud lick attack and then the sound falls off quickly.
Thanks for this insight, Pete! Now I finally understand. It's the attack on the strings/instrument that engages the threshold. From my research, I've been watching people tweak the threshold until they see a bit of compression happening, but I always thought it had to do with determining the volume levels in an actual audio wave. From what it sounds, it's mostly trial and error, but it seems a lot simpler than before.
I'm assuming the release time parameter is what gives the compressor the name compressor/sustainer. Makes perfect sense to me. Thanks so much for replying with your insights.
This video was simple, very easy to follow and cleared up something I didn't fully understand for a long time now. Thanks!
It would be really cool to do a video on when it would be appropriate to use compression and what it can do to a guitar in the mix and the negatives of over using it on guitar.
Always a great job Pete!
I've never quite got my head around the compressor, even though I do use it a lot. I've got a couple of settings I like for different things but haven't really understood the whys and hows.
This is the first time I have heard it explained and demonstrated in a way where I can make sense of it. So much so that it now seems so obvious that I feel like an idiot for not really getting something so simple! Which illustrates how well you've explained it.
Thank you. I feel like I know what I am doing with compression so much more now.
Glad I found this channel. Really enjoy hearing your thoughts on different tones/effects and how to dial in certain sounds
Thank you so much for all your vids explanations I always doubted when I saw all these other bids on the same information cuz I was positive when I got home but I usually play it would be different thanks again for bringing all this out all the best to you peace, Jay.
Pete, you're such a cool guy I wish we could hang out and jam. Thanks for the great wisdom and knowledge!
love it Pete.
Excellent explanation along with the demo on what compressors and their settings do.
Perfect Presentation Pete ! Thank you for your post. Yuma,AZ.
Excellent descriptions. I always learn something from your videos Pete.
Just found your videos and these pedal ones are bloody great.
Thanks Pete! Best explanation of compression on UA-cam.
Roger Philabaum thanks!!
Thanks!!
That was an excellent description of compressors. Thank you very much.
As always, great video, Pete! I think for a lot of people it would have been useful to go into a little more depth on the threshold setting. Playing softly vs. playing aggressively, demonstrating how the compression doesn't kick in until you play loud enough to cross the threshold. But again, very thorough and helpful.
I use a TC Electronic Hyper Gravity compressor, it has Sustain, Level, Attack, and Blend controls and it has the TC toneprints.
Thanks, have a better understanding now. Just glad to see and hear the white Suhr, not worried anymore.
wow Pete... killer demo and explanation, many thanks!!
+Troy Knox thank you Troy thanks for watching
Thanks peter, your explanation is easy to understand and to the point (y)
Excellent!! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. That was really instructive and helped considerably!
Pete, your videos are the best!
Thanks Pete. I have a compressor dusting out there. I never managed to handle it. Now I will experiment.
I thought i had a good comprehension of compressors until i watched this video. Thank you Pete for opening my eyes!
Glad to help!
Pun intended?
the best video explaining compression
Best explanation I‘ve heard. Thanks Pete
Very instructive, well explained. Thanks.
Super useful, thanks Pete!
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly lost my password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me.
@Boston Mordechai instablaster :)
@Mayson Avi i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im in the hacking process now.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Mayson Avi HOLY **** IT REALLY WORKED :O Literally hacked my IG account within ~ 45 minutes by using the site.
Had to pay 15 bucks but for sure worth the money =)
Thanks so much you saved my account :D
@Boston Mordechai You are welcome :)
Finally I understand the Peramiter values!🎓Thank You Pete for another great lesson in Tone🎼🎸😀
I just subscribed to your channel because of this video! Thank you for this explanation, very detailed! I finally understood the compressor's work
Thanks for the clear explanation of all these controls. I've used a couple cheap compressors which although they seem to add signal strength/sustain they also add more noise when not played through. In other words the compressor itself has a problematic noise floor. This has left me using the default limiter setting built in when recording with my Zoom H6 (which isn't bad). I'll probably have to shop around for a quality compressor.
Oh..NOW I get it!!! Thanks Pete...much appreciated!!!
Great job Pete, exactly what I was looking for.
Compressors have always confused me. This helps a lot. Thanks Pete.
You should explain 'knee'... just the shape of the graph but helpful to understand soft/hard knee. Awesome demo as always!
Just realized I didn't mention you never mentioned what KNEE was. The graph of the effect looks like a human knee... if people realized that was where this seemingly technical term came from they might get it easier.
+3dsman well I didn't even know that, you taught me something!
Cool! Totally separate note, have you ever seen Craig Anderton's "Electronic Projects For Musicians". book? Best FX book ever written IMHO. Keep up the great work! Hope new CD is on the way!?!?!? Love your work!!
thank you so much Pete for yet another extremely informative and useful tutorial/video.
Thanks for demonstration of the efffects pedals.
Best video on compressor ever.good verbal skills very informative I have a Boss comp stop using it cause I was 😞 now. I'm gonna use it thanks
Really helpful and simple to understand, thank you!
excellent video. Nice Job Pete
Between playing and practicing, I watch Pete's videos.
As always, Pete is cogent and on point,
- one of the true gurus of guitar sound!
Listen up and your future self will thank you :)
Rock on, Pete! You're awesome... sf
Great video and explanations. I’m always looking for better ways to explain and demonstrate compression to newbie players
Awesome explanation Pete
Thanks Pete. Very helpful.
Very cool and clear explaination ! Thanks mate :)
Great video Pete!
the clearest compression explanation
Wow Amazing work! So understandable its genius thank you
so much
Perfectly explained in terms of how the ear hears it. Great clip
I know what most of guitar pedals can do but most of the time I have a lot of problem to find out the real effect of each knobs on these pedals. I'll check your channel to look at some pedals you can probably have done some tutorials about the knobs effect they can effectively do. Thanks in advance for these useful tutorials. Your really good guitar playing help a lot to understand too !
Great demo and explanation!
Thank you so much, been years trying to get it
Looking forward to the demo!
Thanks, Pete! So many compressor demos I’ve seen over the years have been: Here’s without the compressor. (play) Here is with it. (difference so subtle that I don’t hear it) Huge difference, right! (No, no it wasn’t.)
great show Pete thorn
Really great informative tutorial. Thanks!
+Raymond Currie thank you!