
We all look for effective compression when it's time to give our music that final sparkle and power. From vintage emulations to more forward-thinking designs and algorithms, there are a number of great compressors to choose from. Here we analysed what we believe every mastering engineer should have in their arsenal.
· Key features: the ability to control dynamics without introducing unwanted coloration or artifacts, preserving the intricate details of the audio material.
· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is user friendly and intuitive, still it permits precision and accuracy.
· Main strength: transparency and versatility.
· Why: great versatility, if used with care, the plugin can serve a wide variety of musical styles and audio material, fusing analog and digital best features.
2. SPL Iron
· Key features: pleasant, melodic-sounding, transparent compression, inspired by the vintage compressors of the radio era yet versatile for the modern application.
· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is easy to understand, offering↨a modern and minimalistic look.
· Main strength: Iron is a variable-bias tube compressor, often called a “Vari-Mu” design. Unlike most standard variable-bias designs, which use the bias of a single tube for compression, Iron uses a dual circuit topology.
· Why: far more control than any vintage Vari-Mu compressor, mastering is not the only domain where the IRON sets new standards. It can also be used to process subgroups or individual signals, like vocals, bass, guitar, strings and more.
· Key features: flexible dynamics control with excellent metering and visualisation.
· GUI quality and usability: the GUI offers activity rapresentation and a high level of usability.
· Main strength: tone and response of a classic analogue compressor in an infinitely more flexible package.
· Why: great versatility, the plugin can serve a wide variety of audio materials, responding to perceived loudness rather than the raw signal level.
· Key features: 12 vintage model simulations + 12 modern compressor styles bring you the best of both worlds.
· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is easy to understand as it also offers a visual activity rapresentation.
· Main strengths: transparent sound quality powered by ADAA, adaptive anti-aliasing techniques and adaptive oversampling interpolation technique.
· Why: unparalleled ability to fine tune the parameters to your needs, the Cenozoix compressor is a smart look into the future of compressors.
5. Vacuvox U23m

· Key features: real analog vari-mu type compressor.
· Quality and usability: stellar and compact build with a captivating look.
· Main strengths: Components of the very highest quality and real tube sound coloration.
· Why: The dynamic range of a valve circuit is quite linear and usually very wide. Loud signals that exceed that linear range saturate in a very musical way. The low-level harmonic distortion is mostly of the second order and to a lesser degree of the third order. The even second harmonics ‘make’ the sound fatter and warmer and the odd third harmonics ‘give’ the sound edge.
Bonus Plugin: TDR Kotelnikov (FREE)
· Key features: wideband dynamics processor combining high fidelity dynamic range control with deep musical flexibility.
· Quality and usability: easy to understand GUI with a minimalistic look.
· Main strengths: sonic signature best described as “stealthy”, Kotelnikov has the ability to manipulate the dynamic range by dramatic amounts, while carefully preserving the original tone.
· Why: TDR Kotelnikov is a free yet incredibly well designed compressor, suited for both amateurs and professionals.
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