Best Compressor Plugins

As experienced Sound Professionals with years of industry expertise, we will share our insights and recommendations on Compressor Plugins. We are diving into the advantages and disadvantages of using these plugins.

Understanding Compressor Plugins

A compressor plugin is a dynamic range processor that reduces the dynamic range of a signal by attenuating the louder parts of a signal and vice versa, allowing a more balanced and controlled sound and adding punch or sustain to a signal.

The basic controls on a compressor are threshold, ratio, attack, and release. The threshold is the level at which the compressor reduces the signal. The ratio is the amount of gain reduction that is applied. The attack is the time it takes for the compressor to start reducing the signal. The release is the time it takes for the compressor to stop reducing the signal.

Best Compressor Plugins on the Market

FabFilter Pro-C 2

The FabFilter Pro-C 2 is one of the most versatile Compressor Plugins, known for its intuitive controls and transparent sound. It offers precise control over parameters such as attack, release, ratio, and threshold, making it a powerful tool for shaping audio sound.

Pro-C 2's innovative visual display provides real-time feedback, making it easy to visualize and fine-tune your compression settings. The FabFilter Pro-C 2 is suitable for a wide range of applications, from transparent leveling to aggressive pumping.

Audio Damage RoughRider 3

Audio Damage RoughRider 3 is another versatile and powerful Compressor Plugin that will bring a unique and edgy character to your audio productions and is known for its aggressive and gritty sound, making it the perfect choice when you want to add punch and intensity to instruments like drums, basslines, and other dynamic elements in your mix.

The best thing about Audio Damage RoughRider 3 is its sidechain feature allowing users to shape the compression effect precisely. Whether you're aiming for subtle glue or heavy pumping effects, Audio Damage RoughRider 3 is a reliable and creative tool that adds a touch of excitement and attitude to your music.

Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor

The Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor is a revered plugin that is based on the built-in bus compressor of the SSL 4000 G console that was known for its wide range of features and controls, including threshold, ratio, attack, and release, allowing for precise shaping of the audio's dynamics.

If you use the Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, you will find the output to be transparent, yet the powerful Compression will help glue the mix together, enhancing the overall punch and cohesion of the sound.

Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor

This Compressor Plugin is renowned for its versatility and distinctive sonic character that it brings to the table. The unique features of Universal Audio Empirical Labs Distressor are its "British Mode" and "Dist 2" settings, which provide additional tonal shaping capabilities and harmonic saturation and are transparent and subtle to aggressive and gritty.

The Empirical Labs Distressor plugin faithfully captures the analog warmth and punch of the original hardware unit. It is an essential tool for achieving professional-level dynamics processing in the digital realm.

UAD API 2500

UAD API 2500 Compressor Plugin replicates the iconic sound and functionality of the well-known API 2500 hardware compressor that adds punch, warmth, and musicality to any audio source. With its intuitive controls, signature API sound, and precise fundamental control, it delivers a classic analog tone and dynamics to drums, vocals, and mix busses, enhancing the overall impact and energy of the music.

The best thing about this Compressor Plugin is the “Thrust” feature that allows users to enhance the low-end punches in the track.

Softube CL 1B

This Compressor Plugin features a vintage mode that emulates the classic Teletronix LA-2A hardware unit, the Softube CL 1B hardware compressor that delivers a warm and smooth sound. Used on various audio tracks, this versatile plugin is particularly well-suited for compressing vocals, bass, and other delicate instruments, providing gentle and natural compression that enhances the sound without sacrificing dynamics.

The Softube CL 1B is a great warm, smooth compressor option. It is versatile and easy to use and can be used on various audio tracks.

Soundtoys Devil-Loc Deluxe

Soundtoys Devil-Loc Deluxe can become your go-to Compressor Plugin if you enjoy experimenting with unique and aggressive compression effects. Inspired by the Shure Level-Loc hardware compressor, Devil-Loc Deluxe offers a range of extreme compression and distortion effects that can add character and excitement to your tracks.

Soundtoys Devil-Loc Deluxe’s underrated controls like crunch, crush, and drive make it an extremely effective Compressor Plugin that brings a distinctive and gritty sound to your audio productions, especially with energetic instruments like drums and guitars.

Brainworx Purple Audio MC77

Talking from our experience, this is one of the best Compressor Plugins you will find in the market now because of its ability to produce a transparent and punchy compression. Another way how Brainworx Purple Audio MC77 also takes things up a notch is through its sidechain filter and blend control, which offers users more flexibility and creative control when manipulating the input signal dynamics.

Once you start using this Compressor Plugin, you will see how the Purple Audio MC77 delivers a powerful and musical compression tool that brings vintage warmth and character to your mixes.

How to Choose a Compressor Plugin

Sound and Character

Different compressor plugins have their unique sound and character. Some compressors are designed to be transparent, meaning they subtly control the dynamics without significantly altering the original sound. Others add their character and coloration to the audio.

A particular Compressor Plugin might generate a transparent and precise compression, while another might produce more coloration and vintage warmth. Make sure you keep in mind the kind of result you desire while choosing the Compressor Plugin.

User Interface and Workflow

One of the most important factors to consider to find the right Compressor Plugin is a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, as they will be responsible for enhancing your workflow.

Users should watch for Compressor Plugins that offer clear visual feedback, easy-to-understand parameter adjustments, and an interface that allows them to create an efficient workflow.

Flexibility and Versatility

A sound professional use a Compressor Plugin for not just a single task but for different uses, which is why you should consider how versatile a Compressor Plugin is. Check out the number of features it has to offer if it can handle a wide range of audio sources, from vocals to drums and instruments. A Compressor Plugin should be able to do more than what is expected of it.

CPU Efficiency

Compressor Plugins rely heavily on the CPU and can put a heavy load on the hardware. Suppose you are a beginner who does not own an expensive system. In that case, you should research the CPU efficiency of the Compressor Plugin, especially if you work with large sessions or use multiple compressor instances simultaneously.

Compatibility

Getting a Compressor Plugin that is incompatible with your Digital Audio Workstation is one of the most common rookie mistakes people make. While the best Compressor plugins are usually compatible with reputable DAWs, you should ensure they work smoothly with your preferred systems.

Advantages of Using Compressor Plugins

Cost-Effectiveness

Hardware Compressors can be extremely expensive and may not be a suitable buy for Sound Professionals who are just making their way. One of the biggest advantages of Compressor Plugins is their cost-effectiveness.

Compressor Plugins, even as a standalone purchase, come at a fraction of the cost compared to most hardware compressors in the market, allowing users to produce professional-grade output.

Real-Time Visual Feedback

Based on our extensive knowledge, we know that real-time visual feedback is a game-changer for Audio Compression. Visual feedback allows users to monitor the audio compression during the process, making it easy for them to see valuable insights, which eventually helps in making the right adjustments to the settings to get the desired output.

Non-Destructive Editing

As a Sound Professional, nothing is more hurting than destroying the original audio signal, which gives us another reason to use Compression Plugins. Compressor Plugins work non-destructive as they do not apply compression directly to the original audio signal, allowing users to do unlimited experiments without killing the original audio.

Portability and Flexibility

Compressor Plugins have made the process of Audio Compression extremely portable and flexible. With a Compressor Plugin, you can transfer your project files between different people working on different systems giving you additional hands on the same project, which makes the entire process time-efficient.

Updates

Compressor Plugins are technically software developed by sound professionals and coders to get the best form of Audio Compression, and just like any other software, Compressor Plugins get timely updates and patch fixes. These updates include tons of additional features and access to the latest advancements giving users the right space to improve the quality of their work.

Space Efficiency

If you have seen a physical Compressor, you must know how much space it can take. These days, studios are an expensive affair, and only a few of us can afford a lavish space. Compressor Plugins have made this problem vanish without changing the overall process and the product, as all the space a Compressor Plugin takes is some storage in your laptop or your system.

Disadvantages of Using a Compressor Plugin

Learning Curve

Like most software in the market, Compressor Plugins also have their learning curve, especially for people who have just begun their path in the industry. Without proper knowledge, using a Compressor Plugin and other things in the audio production process can take a toll. It might be less time-efficient in the beginning.

Lack of Physical Control and Tactile Feedback

Reflecting on our understanding, one of the things we extremely miss about physical compressors is the physical control and the tangible, tactile feedback they provide. Turning a knob physically and adjusting other elements for most people can be more intuitive, enhancing their creative sides. The hands-on feeling can help to better the understanding of compression and make more precise adjustments.

Dependence on Plugin Compatibility

Using software for Compressing means that you will have to rely on the developers of the Compressor plugin to continue their support of your preferred operating system and DAW.

Suppose you have learned a particular Compressor Plugin. In that case, you will want to stick with it no matter what, and in case the developer stops supporting or updating the plugin, you will be forced to switch to a different Compressor plugin and start the journey again. This is a drawback as you are forced to depend on the compatibility of your preferred plugin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many great compressor plugins are available. The best Compressor Plugin for you depends on your needs, preferences, and desired output.

Thiss blog has mentioned some of the best Compressor Plugins available. These plugins will help you to emulate the Compression effects of the best hardware compressors while giving you more flexibility and functionality.

Remember to experiment with the different settings to find the sound you like best. With a little experimentation, you will learn to use Compressor Plugins to create the perfect sound for your tracks.

♥ - Joseph SARDIN - Fondateur et Sonothécaire de BigSoundBank.com et LaSonotheque.org - Contact