Abstract: An audio compressor utilizes a switched charging state rectifier which produces an output proportional to the magnitude of an input signal but with controlled attack/release times. The rectified voltage is input to a logical selector, which provides logical control signals which are a function of the rectified voltage. In a preferred embodiment, the control signals of the logical selector are used to select the switch positions of a switched resistor ladder. The switched resistor ladder is used to provide a resistance path in an op-amp feedback amplifier, thereby enabling the gain of the op-amp amplifier to be adjusted in steps by the selector as the rectified signal level varies.