compressor

A compressor is an effect that acts like an automatic volume control, kicking in when the input signal exceeds a preset level¹. It reduces volume where a player would otherwise be too loud and boosts volume where the guitar would otherwise vanish from the mix². This works because perception of loudness is based on average volume level rather than transitory peaks¹. Depending on the design, users may be able to set the activation level, the speed of response, the reset speed, and the overall output level¹. Good compression can add punch, liveliness, and warmth, and help the guitar sit right in the mix³.