How to use a gate, compressor and limiter in a mix

A gate for the pauses

Open FX on the vocal track and add Puerta de ruido (noise gate). Set the threshold so the pause falls below it and normal speech goes above it. Start with moderate attenuation and listen to the start and end of words. If consonants get cut, lower the threshold or adjust the opening and closing times.

A compressor for level changes

Add Compresor (compressor) when some phrases stand out much more than others. The threshold decides where the signal starts being reduced and the ratio says by how much. With a 3:1 ratio, a rise of 6 dB above the threshold comes out roughly 2 dB higher in that part of the curve. Attack and release affect how fast the change happens. Set the makeup gain after listening and compare with Antes (before) and Después (after).

A limiter for the peaks of the sum

Select Máster (master) and add Limitador (limiter) to control short peaks of the stereo mix. Set its ceiling and check the loudest hits. If the reduction is working all the time, lower the lanes that push the sum hardest and compare again.

Use Comprobar niveles (check levels) before exporting. The limiter acts on each peak during playback. Normalizing the peak applies one single adjustment to the whole range of the copy.