# Shape the Hit

> Compression ear training: set attack and release by ear on drums until each hit punches and breathes like the reference. Five levels, the first two free.

Page: https://mixchops.com/compression/shape

The exercise runs at [https://mixchops.com/compression/shape](https://mixchops.com/compression/shape) in any modern browser, with headphones or decent speakers.

## Shape the punch, *then the groove.*

Attack decides how much of the front of each hit gets through before the compressor clamps; release decides how quickly it lets go. Set them on a drum part until each hit and the space between them sound like the reference.

### How it works

1. Play the reference, then switch to Yours (keys 1 and 2, or B to flip).
2. Turn the attack or the release, watch the hit change, compare again, and check when they sound the same.
3. After a check, open Help me hear it: your attempt, the difference doubled, and the correction.

### What to listen for

Listen to the crack of the snare and the click of the kick: a slow attack lets them through, a fast one takes them off and brings the body and room up. Then listen between the hits: a short release lets go and the room swells back, a long one holds everything down. On the top levels it works hard enough to pump, and the release is a note value at the song’s tempo: set right, it breathes with the groove.

### How it’s scored

Your first check scores out of 100. Attack and release are scored in steps of their pots. On level 5, where both move and trade off, it scores how close yours sounds: the measured difference from the reference. An average of 80 over five songs passes.

### Levels

Levels 1 and 2 set the attack (within three steps of its pot, then two), with the threshold at −20 dB and 4:1. Level 3 sets the release in milliseconds (within two steps), with a 3 ms attack. Level 4 works hard (−30 dB at 10:1) and the release is a note value at the song’s tempo, within one step; level 5 sets the attack and the timed release together, and passes when the difference from the reference sits 23 dB under it. It’s part of [Mix Chops Pro](https://mixchops.com/pro), every level.

Use headphones or good speakers. Every setting plays at the same loudness, so louder is never the difference.

[Compressed or Dry](https://mixchops.com/compression/dry) · [How Much](https://mixchops.com/compression/amount) · [Attack](https://mixchops.com/compression/attack) · [Ratio](https://mixchops.com/compression/ratio) · [Match the Compressor](https://mixchops.com/compression/match) · [Shape the Hit](https://mixchops.com/compression/shape) · [Parallel Blend](https://mixchops.com/compression/parallel) · [All compression exercises](https://mixchops.com/compression) · [Learn: What does a compressor do?](https://mixchops.com/learn/what-does-a-compressor-do)