How To Use Multiple Compressors in Voiceover

Using more than one compressor can be a great way to further refine your sound in voiceover recordings when necessary. In the following video I’ll cover when you might want to use them, as well as how to set them up. I’ll also touch on multiband compression as another tool in your arsenal.

Here’s a summary:

Compressors reduce the dynamic range of your audio. Meaning the loudest moments and quietest moments are brought ‘closer’ together. Overall this results in a more balanced listening experience for your audience.

By using multiple compressors in our effects chain, we can distribute the load between them. Allowing one to focus on significant peaks in our audio (say a particularly loud gasp or shout), and the other to further balance the audio overall.

To tame the peaks or outliers in a voiceover recording, the first compressor uses a fast attack (1-10ms), fast release (~50ms), and higher ratio (4:1 to 8:1).

For the second compressor, gentler settings are fine.