[The Studio RI]

Here's how I usually handle setting a compressor...


Set the Threshold to -30 or so, attack to off, release around half a second or so, and ratio almost all the way up.
I then turn the attack until I can hear the compressor kick in a little too much. once I can hear an exaggerated compression, I adjust my release so that it pumps the way I want it.

Then, I set the attack so that it kicks in at the right time for the sound. Once that is set, I back off on the ratio, then the threshold, until I have just the right amount of compression.

A little bit of makup gain, a/b too hear the difference, and any fine tunings from there, and there ya go.

Hey, works for me.