Compression Question · Mastering.com Members Club

Compression Question

What’s the difference between the “make-up gain” knob and the “output gain” knob on a compressor?

Let’s say, for example, I apply compression to a guitar track. After I set the ratio, knee, and release, and then, in this example, let’s say that I’m seeing -5 db of gain reduction, I set my make-up gain to 5+ db. And now, my track is 3db louder than it was before, so I set the output gain to -3 db.

Would it be the same thing to just set the make-up gain to 2+ db?

In other words, can I, or should I, use the make-up gain to get the track level back to the original dbfs before applying compression?

Or, should I be applying the make-up gain to add gain in accordance with the reduction amount using the metering tool on the compression plug-in, and then, look at the dbfs in my DAW, and then apply the output gain accordingly?

Can anyone provide me with advice on this?

Thanks!

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