Whats a compressor and what does it do?
A “compressor” is actually a mis-leading name for what the device does. Basically, a compressor locks onto a note and sustains it for a period of time. “Expander” or “sustainer” would probably be a better name. Because the tap has such a quick peak and quick decay (basically, a “pop”), there’s not sufficient time for most tuning devices to lock onto the note and display it on the screen. The compressor sustains the note electronically and provides about one-and-a-half seconds of time for the tuner to read and display the note – and that’s plenty of time for you to see and learn what the tapped note is.
