Threshold
Choose where compression begins. A soft knee eases into compression on both sides of this level.
Default-18 dB
Free trial available
Spark Compressor
Keep vocals steady, give drums weight and bring a mix together. Shape the response with peak or RMS detection, soft knee and parallel mix.
€4.99one-time
Try free for 30 daysOr get all eighteen plugins with Spark Complete for €27.99. Your free trial starts on activation. No card, no automatic charge.
- Windows 10 and 11
- 64-bit
- VST3
- Threshold, Attack and Release
- Peak and RMS detection
- Sidechain from another track
- Windows 10 and 11, VST3
- 30-day free trial
What it’s for
Example settings for vocals, bass and drums.
Vocal level control
Use clip gain to reduce large differences between phrases. Lower Threshold to compress the remaining peaks by a few dB, then check the quieter sections.
Starting point
- Threshold
- Just below the loud lines
- Ratio
- 4:1
- Attack
- 10 ms
- Release
- 120 ms
Bass compression
Reduce differences between bass notes with a slower Attack to retain the initial pluck. Use the kick as a sidechain input if you want the bass level to dip on each kick hit.
Starting point
- Ratio
- 4:1
- Attack
- 30 ms
- Release
- 100 ms
- Sidechain
- Off, or the kick
Drum bus compression
Start with a low ratio and slow attack to reduce loud hits while retaining transients. Adjust Release so the gain recovers between hits.
Starting point
- Threshold
- Only the loudest hits
- Ratio
- 2:1
- Attack
- 30 ms
- Release
- 150 ms
The controls
Precise dynamics controls with eight factory starting points.
Ratio and knee
Choose 1:1 to 20:1 compression and a 0 to 24 dB knee. Range caps the maximum reduction.
Default4:1 / 6 dB
Attack and release
Shape transient response and recovery. Auto Release lengthens recovery for sustained material.
Default10 ms / 120 ms
Peak or RMS
Peak responds to transients. RMS averages energy over 10 ms for smoother level control.
DefaultPeak
Mix and makeup
Blend aligned dry and compressed signals. Makeup changes the compressed level before Mix; Output trims the final result.
Default100% / 0 dB
Detector and sidechain
Filter bass from the detector without changing the audible tone. Route an external sidechain in your DAW to control compression from another track.
Default80 Hz HP
Stereo link
At 100%, both channels receive identical gain reduction. Reduce Link for more independent stereo movement.
Default100%
Hold and range
Hold delays envelope recovery between peaks. Range keeps the maximum compression within your chosen limit.
Default2 ms / 36 dB
Compression tips
Check loud and quiet phrases while setting the compressor.
- Loop the loudest line
- Find the loudest phrase in the song and loop it. Lower Threshold until it comes down a few dB, then play the quietest phrase and check that it passes through untouched.
- Overdo it first
- Not sure what Threshold is catching? Set Ratio high and Attack fast for a moment, so the squeeze is obvious. Once you can hear which notes are being pulled down, bring both back to where they sound natural.
- Tame the big jumps
- When a vocal goes from a whisper to a full belt, no single setting handles both without squashing something. Turn the loudest lines down first with clip gain or a volume ride, then let Compressor even out what’s left.
Specs
Zero-latency compression for mono and stereo tracks. External sidechain routing depends on your host.
Go to support- Format
- VST3 and optional standalone app, 64-bit
- System
- Windows 10 and 11, 64-bitNo macOS version yet.
- Controls
- 15 automatable parameters, 8 factory presetsPeak / RMS, soft knee, detector HP, stereo link and parallel mix.
- Availability
- Version 0.1.730-day free trial. Account activation required.
More from Spark
Explore the eighteen Spark plugins. Each has its own 30-day free trial.
Spark Compressor.
Find your balance.
Start a 30-day Compressor trial. No card required.
Start free trial