Timeline FX >

# Adding Compression Timeline FX

Use the Compression Timeline FX to reduce the dynamic range of an audio signal from an audio segment. The Compression Timeline FX is the third effect on the Audio Effects menu and in the pipeline.

When you compress an audio signal, there is less of a difference between the lowest measured gain of the signal and the highest measured gain of the signal. Compression is useful if your audio signal has many different loudness levels that you want to play back at a similar perceived loudness level. For example, when recording voice-overs, you may want to maintain a constant perceived level of loudness in the actor's voice.

You can also compress an audio signal to attenuate portions of the signal that are too loud. For example, if your recording is at a consistent loudness level, but for some reason there is an unwanted peak in loudness level, you can compress the loud portion to give it the same perceived loudness as the rest of the recording.

Because compressing an audio signal could have a drastic effect on the overall dynamic range of the signal, it is not effective in every situation. For example, for a complex recording that has been mixed down from many other audio sources, such as a vocal track with music and sound effects, the audio signal might have complex differences in loudness levels. If you compress a master audio signal such as this, you will lose many of the original qualities of the audio signal. In such cases, it is advisable that you compress the source audio track before mixing down.

If you are editing a pair of mono tracks that you wish to process as stereo tracks, you should merge both tracks into one stereo audio track. This ensures that the same compression is used on both left and right channels.

To apply Compression Timeline FX:

1. Select the audio clip you want to apply the effect to.
2. Either click the FX button or right-click on the clip and select Add Effect. The Effects menu appears.
3. Click the Compression button. A compression icon appears on the clip.
4. Adjust the settings fo the effect. You can also click the Enter Editor button to access the full editor for the effect.