DynamicsCompressorNode

The DynamicsCompressorNode interface provides a compression effect, which lowers the volume of the loudest parts of the signal in order to help prevent clipping and distortion that can occur when multiple sounds are played and multiplexed together at once. This is often used in musical production and game audio. DynamicsCompressorNode is an AudioNode that has exactly one input and one output; it is created using the AudioContext.createDynamicsCompressor method.

Number of inputs 1
Number of outputs 1
Channel count mode "explicit"
Channel count 2
Channel interpretation "speakers"

Properties

Inherits properties from its parent, AudioNode.

DynamicsCompressorNode.threshold Read only
Is a k-rate AudioParam representing the decibel value above which the compression will start taking effect.
DynamicsCompressorNode.knee Read only
Is a k-rate AudioParam containing a decibel value representing the range above the threshold where the curve smoothly transitions to the compressed portion.
DynamicsCompressorNode.ratio Read only
Is a k-rate AudioParam representing the amount of change, in dB, needed in the input for a 1 dB change in the output.
DynamicsCompressorNode.reduction Read only
Is a float representing the amount of gain reduction currently applied by the compressor to the signal.
DynamicsCompressorNode.attack Read only
Is a k-rate AudioParam representing the amount of time, in seconds, required to reduce the gain by 10 dB.
DynamicsCompressorNode.release Read only
Is a k-rate AudioParam representing the amount of time, in seconds, required to increase the gain by 10 dB.

Methods

No specific methods; inherits methods from its parent, AudioNode.

Example

The below code demonstrates a simple usage of createDynamicsCompressor() to add compression to an audio track. For a more complete example, have a look at our basic Compressor example (view the source code).

// Create a MediaElementAudioSourceNode
// Feed the HTMLMediaElement into it
var source = audioCtx.createMediaElementSource(myAudio);

// Create a compressor node
var compressor = audioCtx.createDynamicsCompressor();
compressor.threshold.value = -50;
compressor.knee.value = 40;
compressor.ratio.value = 12;
compressor.reduction.value = -20;
compressor.attack.value = 0;
compressor.release.value = 0.25;

// connect the AudioBufferSourceNode to the destination
source.connect(audioCtx.destination);

button.onclick = function() {
  var active = button.getAttribute('data-active');
  if(active == 'false') {
    button.setAttribute('data-active', 'true');
    button.innerHTML = 'Remove compression';

    source.disconnect(audioCtx.destination);
    source.connect(compressor);
    compressor.connect(audioCtx.destination);
  } else if(active == 'true') {
    button.setAttribute('data-active', 'false');
    button.innerHTML = 'Add compression';

    source.disconnect(compressor);
    compressor.disconnect(audioCtx.destination);
    source.connect(audioCtx.destination);
  }
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Web Audio API
The definition of 'DynamicsCompressorNode' in that specification.
Working Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 10.0webkit 25.0 (25.0)  No support 15.0webkit
22 (unprefixed)
6.0webkit
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) Firefox OS IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile Chrome for Android
Basic support ? 26.0 1.2 ? ? ? 33.0

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: padenotmoz, Sebastianz, fscholz, chrisdavidmills, Sheppy, teoli
 Last updated by: padenotmoz,