I bookmarked an awesome thread about compression where a bunch of our forum big hitters popped in...

http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2116921

It truly shows how diverse (and sometimes heated) peoples opinions are on the subject of compression. Lots of great how to's in there from some of our finest. Once I'm set up in my new space I'll be trying out the various techniques to see what happens. Cheers.

Liking this thread...

Meanders a bit, but is helpful in explaining what the compressor controls do:

http://whyrez.tumblr.com/post/21231580963/audio-production-tutorial-compression-part-1

Regards,
Dan

One thing that keeps confusing me is:
If the intent is to bring up the levels of the quieter part of the wave by allowing a gain increase (makeup) how does that work if you set a slower attack? 
It seems to me the initial transient still gets thru and therefore still defines the maximum gain limitation(on most instruments).

You use a slow attack to let the transients through - such as drums.  So yes, that will usually be the peak vol.  Use a slow release to bring up the body of the sound before it drops below the threshold.  It becomes an envelope shaper.  It won't make the body of the sound louder than the transient, but should raise the vol of the body.

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