How can I customize GarageBand settings to prevent default compressor activation?

I am recording some old records in order to digitize them for my personal listening, and I keep on forgetting to turn OFF the compressor that is on by default in GarageBand when opening a new session before recording the tracks. Is there a way to remove the compression from an already recorded track, and is there a way for the compressor to be off by default when starting a new project in the future?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]