How do attack and release affect compression?

The short answer

Attack controls how quickly compression responds when level rises. Release controls how quickly gain returns after the level falls. Fast and slow settings can change drum punch, vocal movement and the apparent sustain of notes, so choose them in the context of the music.

Try this workflow

1. Use a short passage with clear accents.
2. Compare a quicker and slower attack while keeping other settings steady.
3. Adjust release until recovery feels natural between phrases.

What to check before you finish

Listen to the rhythm rather than only the average loudness. An overly fast response can soften attacks; an unsuitable release can produce audible level movement. SurStudio links stereo channels so gain changes follow the pair together.

A practical example

On a drum-heavy mix, compare attack settings while keeping threshold and ratio fixed. If the kick loses its initial punch, a slower response may be worth testing. Then listen to how the gain recovers before the next beat. Change one setting at a time so the reason for any improvement remains understandable.

More questions

Should release match the beat exactly?

That can be a useful experiment, but there is no mandatory beat-based value for every recording.

What does pumping sound like?

It often sounds like the recording's level rises and falls noticeably with loud events. Decide whether that movement supports the music or distracts from it.