charlyg
ARRT, correct?
Adjust in order, attack, release, ratio, and lastly threshold..
actually,
this is not true.
because,
as you effect your threshold, your attack will probably have to change.
and as you effect your attack,
your release will change.
which will force you to reevaluate your ratio,
which will make you change your threshold....
and back and forth and back and forth,
until you nail it!!
LOL
in other words, every parameter messes with the other parameters.
time, and experience, will somewhat inform you as to what to expect, so you can eventually shortcut a lot of your 'common' settings on specific tracks...
but as i said before, i use hardware compression AND software,
and usually in multiple levels (hardware going in, comp on individual track, comp on busses, comp on master.)
but as others have said, i use them very lightly, with the knowledge that they will add up a certain way,
and i try to steer the collective in that direction.
now, look up UPWARDS COMPRESSION...
and take an excedrin.
;)