are you trying to get this done? mix a record?

the answers are all there for you to discover. turn the "knobs"(i know, the digital kind). how many times do you need to adjust a parameter on a compressor before you understand it?

the output level? uhh..it makes signal louder or not.

the threshold? compresses more or less of the signal coming in...

ratio? turn it up, it does more, turn it down..less

attack? it's how fast or how slow the compressors response is to the incoming signal

release? it's how fast, or how slowly,  the compressor let's go of the signal it is compressing

turn knobs, listen.

here's a "trick"- set the input level to about 7, output 7, ratio 6:1, release-about 1/2 way between all the way up and all the way down. now start with the threshold at maximum compression, yes all the way. what does it sound like? if it's good, leave it, if not, keep decreasing until you're comfortable with the way it sounds...then leave it alone until later...or not.

1176 compressor