True, it is audio compression (or expansion, depending on the settings). If the audio signal dictates the balance, why have a left and right balance knob? We

True, it is audio compression (or expansion, depending on the settings). If the audio signal dictates the balance, why have a left and right balance knob? We have a volume knob, but no way to adjust the compression. We are letting the audio signal dictate the compression. It should be set by the user, just like the balance. It could also be a compressor/expander setting, but IMO musical accent is so core to music that it should be a part of the volume control. I doubt any of this would work as the original range is lost after it is compressed.