Compression:Origins

[alec]

It sounds like a prequel movie but it's really a question.

What is the history of compressors? Did someone try to recreate the natural response of valve mic preamps?
Did some engineer say "this is awesome, but I'm sick of pulling the fader down every time Jimmy Hihat smacks that snare. There must be a better way"?

[bongomania]

Radio broadcast. In the early days of radio they needed the voices and other sounds to be at a more constant level, especially as broadcast power was "precious" and they needed to make the most of what they had. It was nothing to do with emulating tubes, as tube gear was still the mainstream of all recording, amplification, broadcast, and receiving equipment at that time.

[alec]

Thanks for that.

[lowfreq33]

You can google Pultec, Fairchild, and Urei if you want a little more info on the more coveted early devices.