Compressors vs. Levelers: When to Use One Over the Other?

PLEASE NOTE:

1. By compressors I’m referring to traditional compressors like CLA-2A, CLA-76, etc., as well as compressors found within channel strip plugins like the Scheps Omni Channel, SSL G-Channel, etc.
2. By levelers I’m referring to leveler plugins like Vocal Rider, etc. (See full definition below)

Both compressors and levelers reduce/compress the dynamic range of audio but they accomplish this in different ways.

When to use a compressor:

When the raw audio has a fairly consistent level with occasional loud peaks/outbursts, AND the level never gets extremely quiet due to the participant mumbling or trailing off at the end of sentences, etc. I would say this describes about 80% of raw podcast audio.

When to use a leveler:

When the raw audio has a HUGE dynamic range due to occasional loud peaks/outbursts AND occasional extremely quiet mumbling or trailing off at the end of sentences, etc. I would say this describes about 20% of raw podcast audio. FYI, with extremely dynamic audio like this I usually use both a compressor and a leveler, usually compressor first then leveler, also making sure not to use either one too aggressively.

A good definition of a leveler:

A leveler acts a little bit like a compressor in that it changes the level of audio signals it is processing. Unlike a compressor which typically only lowers the level of signals above its threshold, a leveler acts as a sort of automatic level control and will increase or decrease the level of program material to maintain a consistent volume over time. Sometimes levelers are referred to as automatic gain controls (AGC). These devices do not usually need to generate rapid changes in a signal like a compressor or limiter, but will change the material gradually over a specified period of time in order to achieve a near constant output level. As such, peaks of a short duration will get through as though no device was in line so it may also be necessary to use a compressor or limiter in conjunction with a leveler.

What is your experience with these processors? Comment below!

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