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 "clamped-max"
Channel count 2
Channel interpretation "speakers"

Constructor

DynamicsCompressorNode()
Creates a new instance of an DynamicsCompressorNode object.

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.setValueAtTime(-50, audioCtx.currentTime);
compressor.knee.setValueAtTime(40, audioCtx.currentTime);
compressor.ratio.setValueAtTime(12, audioCtx.currentTime);
compressor.attack.setValueAtTime(0, audioCtx.currentTime);
compressor.release.setValueAtTime(0.25, audioCtx.currentTime);

// 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

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
DynamicsCompressorNodeChrome Full support 14Edge Full support ≤18Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
DynamicsCompressorNode() constructorChrome Full support 55
Notes
Full support 55
Notes
Notes Before Chrome 59, the default values were not supported.
Edge Full support ≤79Firefox Full support 53IE No support NoOpera Full support 42Safari ? WebView Android Full support 55
Notes
Full support 55
Notes
Notes Before version 59, the default values were not supported.
Chrome Android Full support 55
Notes
Full support 55
Notes
Notes Before Chrome 59, the default values were not supported.
Firefox Android Full support 53Opera Android Full support 42Safari iOS ? Samsung Internet Android Full support 6.0
Notes
Full support 6.0
Notes
Notes Before Samsung Internet 7.0, the default values were not supported.
attackChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
kneeChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
ratioChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
reductionChrome Full support 14
Notes
Full support 14
Notes
Notes Before version 52, this was an AudioParam..
Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support Yes
Notes
Full support Yes
Notes
Notes Before version 52, this was an AudioParam..
Chrome Android Full support 18
Notes
Full support 18
Notes
Notes Before version 52, this was an AudioParam..
Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
Notes
Full support 1.0
Notes
Notes Before Samsung Internet 6.0, this was an AudioParam..
releaseChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0
thresholdChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Compatibility unknown
Compatibility unknown
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also