Audio Compressor Static Gain Calculator
Calculate hard-knee compressor output, gain reduction and makeup gain from input level, threshold and compression ratio.
YOUR CALCULATION
Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Leave levels below threshold unchanged, divide the above-threshold level excess by the compression ratio, then add makeup gain.
Output before makeup=T+(input−T)/ratio above T; final output=output before makeup+makeup
Worked example
Input −6 dB, threshold −18 dB and ratio 4:1 give −15 dB before makeup and 9 dB gain reduction. Adding 3 dB makeup gives −12 dB.
Assumptions and input details
Ideal static hard-knee transfer only. Input and threshold must share the same level reference; dBFS, dBu and dBV cannot be mixed. Ratio 1–1000; there is no soft knee, attack/release timing, RMS detector, look-ahead or clipping model. Output above digital full scale is arithmetic, not a claim that playback remains unclipped. Amplitude gain uses 20log10.
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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