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.
Ā· Key features: the ability to control dynamics without introducing unwanted coloration or artifacts, preserving the intricate details of the audio material.
Ā· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is user friendly and intuitive, still it permits precision and accuracy.
Ā· Main strength: transparency and versatility.
Ā· 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. Ā SPL IronĀ
Ā· Key features: pleasant, melodic-sounding, transparent compression, inspired by the vintage compressors of the radio era yet versatile for the modern application.
Ā· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is easy to understand, offeringāØa modern and minimalistic look.
Ā· Main strength:Ā Iron is a variable-bias tube compressor, often called a āVari-Muā design. Unlike most standard variable-bias designs, which use the bias of a single tube for compression, Iron uses a dual circuit topology.
Ā· 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.
Ā· Key features: flexible dynamics control with excellent metering and visualisation.
Ā· GUI quality and usability: the GUI offers activity rapresentation and a high level of usability.
Ā· Main strength: tone and response of a classic analogue compressor in an infinitely more flexible package.
Ā· Why: great versatility, the plugin can serve a wide variety of audio materials, responding to perceived loudness rather than the raw signal level.
Ā· Key features: 12 vintage model simulations + 12 modern compressor styles bring you the best of both worlds.
Ā· GUI quality and usability: the GUI is easy to understand as it also offers a visual activity rapresentation.
Ā· Main strengths: transparent sound quality powered by ADAA, adaptive anti-aliasing techniques and adaptive oversampling interpolation technique.
Ā· Why: unparalleled ability to fine tune the parameters to your needs, the Cenozoix compressor is a smart look into the future of compressors.
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5. Vacuvox U23m
Ā· Key features: real analog vari-mu type compressor.
Ā· Quality and usability: stellar and compact build with a captivating look.
Ā· Main strengths: Components of the very highest quality and real tube sound coloration.
Ā· 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 āmakeā the sound fatter and warmer and the odd third harmonics āgiveā the sound edge.
Bonus Plugin: TDR Kotelnikov (FREE)
Ā· Key features: wideband dynamics processor combining high fidelity dynamic range control with deep musical flexibility.
Ā· Quality and usability: easy to understand GUI with a minimalistic look.
Ā· Main strengths: sonic signature best described as āstealthyā, Kotelnikov has the ability to manipulate the dynamic range by dramatic amounts, while carefully preserving the original tone.
Ā· Why: TDR Kotelnikov is a free yet incredibly well designed compressor, suited for both amateurs and professionals.
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