While dynamic range compressors (DRC) fundamentally serve the same purpose of controlling dynamic range and adding coloration, their user interfaces can greatly vary in complexity, from minimal designs with a simple gain reduction meter and a few controls to more intricate setups with numerous parameters and visual aids. This study explores how different levels of visual information in a DRC’s UI influence mixing engineers’ workflow, efficiency and satisfaction when compressing vocals, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of whether the complexity of a compressor’s UI aids or hinders its effectiveness. The study begins with a literature review, followed by interviews with experienced mixing engineers, who shared insights into their use of compression for vocal mixing and their perspectives on DRC UI design. Opinions were mixed, with no clear consensus on the preference for simpler or more complex UIs. Subsequently, music producers with experience using compression undertook vocal compression tasks using four different commercially available DRC plugins of varying complexities. The study found little statistical evidence to suggest that UI design impacts efficiency or effectiveness, however post-test interviews revealed some preferences for complex UIs. In a final phase, fifteen participants took part in a study using a custom-built compressor with six different UI iterations. The results indicated no significant statistical differences in performance across the various compressors, suggesting that while a DRC’s UI may impact user experience on a personal level, it does not have a universal effect on user outcomes.