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DynamicsCompressorNode.threshold

The threshold property of the DynamicCompressorNode interface is a k-rate AudioParam representing the decibel value above which the compression will start taking effect.

The threshold property's default value is -24 and it can be set between -100 and 0.

The threshold attribute has no effect on signals lowers than its value, but induce volume reduction on signal stronger than its value.

Syntax

var audioCtx = new AudioContext();
var compressor = audioCtx.createDynamicsCompressor();
compressor.threshold.value = -50;

Value

An AudioParam.

Note: Though the AudioParam returned is read-only, the value it represents is not.

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.value = -50;
compressor.knee.value = 40;
compressor.ratio.value = 12;
compressor.reduction.value = -20;
compressor.attack.value = 0;
compressor.release.value = 0.25;

// 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 'threshold' in that specification.	Working Draft

Browser compatibility

Feature	Chrome	Edge	Firefox (Gecko)	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari (WebKit)
Basic support	10.0webkit	(Yes)	25.0 (25.0)	No support	15.0webkit 22 (unprefixed)	6.0webkit