Piano EffectCompression
It flattens peaks so the keyboard sounds even. Key to salsa montunos and pop piano.
How to recognise it by ear
- Loud and soft notes come out at almost the same volume.
- The attack feels "punchy" and the tail holds longer.
- An uncompressed piano has peaks; a compressed one, an even wall.
Typical settings
Ratio from 2:1 to 4:1, attack around 10 ms; crest factor from 8 to 12 dB.
What Piano Effect measures
The crest factor in dB (the lower, the more compressed) and an estimate of ratio and attack.
Download on the App StoreFree · iPhone and iPad (iOS 17 or later)
Android: get it on Google Play
Android: get it on Google Play
Library sounds that use it
- Salsa montunocrest factor 10 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
- Merengue pianocrest factor 9 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
- Bossa pianocrest factor 12 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
- Worship pianocrest factor 10 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
- Pop pianocrest factor 10 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
- Funk clavinetcrest factor 8 dB · ratio 2–4:1 · attack 10 ms
Frequently asked questions
What is compression?
It flattens peaks so the keyboard sounds even. Key to salsa montunos and pop piano. The attack feels "punchy" and the tail holds longer.
How can I tell if a song uses compression?
Loud and soft notes come out at almost the same volume. The attack feels "punchy" and the tail holds longer. To be sure, scan it with Piano Effect: it tells you whether it is there and with which values.
What compression settings are typical?
Ratio from 2:1 to 4:1, attack around 10 ms; crest factor from 8 to 12 dB.