Setting compressor attack and release

Attack time, simply put, is the amount of time it takes for the compressor to reach full gain reduction. A compressor begins compressing immediately, but it takes some time to wind up.¹ An attack time of 100ms or greater will have a pumping effect on transient material with low-level stuff in it.²

Release time, simply put, is the amount of time it takes to return to unity gain.¹ A release time of 100ms or greater with have a breathing effect.²

With this in mind, anything equal or greater than 100ms can be considered slow, and anything less can be considered fast.³

These time constants usually work logarithmically.⁴ I can check the step transfer curves in Plugin Doctor.

Temporarily crank a compressor’s threshold and ratio to better hear the effects of attack and release.⁵

Use an oscilloscope to see how it changes.

Attack is how long it takes to apply compression. A fast attack softens transients and has the effect of pushing an element back.⁶

Release is how long it takes to return to unity. Release times can effect the sustain. A too-fast release may have a weird ducking sound to it.⁶

Alex Tumay says attack and release is much more important than how much gain reduction you’re getting.⁷

With max ratio, fast release, and a deep threshold, adjust the attack to your liking. After you’ve found the right attack setting, do the same for the release.⁸

Attack and release for bass frequencies.