Compression.... please explain?!?!?!

[leucopogon]

Dear Digi001 users who know more than me,

Please explain or point out a URL, book, magazine article, anything that describes compression (also limiting and gating) in detail. I'm a novice in recording and reading the DUC I see these processes being referred to constantly. This must be the "missing link" in the quality of my recordings.

Please don't flame me for being ignorant.

[bassmac]

Try here...
http://www.waves.com/htmls/service/t...icks/hutch.htm

[shaggy]

I found this explanation pretty good. Joe Meek produced the 'Tornadoes' and others...back in the early 60s.
http://www.joemeek.com/comp-limit.html

[Joseph Anderson]

Thanks for these references, guys. Very helpful!

[Kickin.da.speaker]

Wow. I found the Waves articles to be very interesting! Thanks!