The latest iteration of FabFilter’s much-loved compressor plug-in has arrived, delivering six all-new compression algorithms, a new Character panel dedicated to analogue-style saturation, improvements to its side-chain EQ facilities, Dolby Atmos support and more. Additionally, Pro-C 3 is being launched alongside a free update that brings some new features to the recently released Pro-Q 4 EQ plug-in.
New Algorithms & Saturation
The headline feature of the new version of Pro C is the inclusion of six new compression algorithms. a Versatile Style provides a general-purpose algorithm designed for use on any material, while Smooth acts as the new go-to for ‘glue compression’ with low ratios and longer envelope timings. The Upward algorithm then offers more extreme pumping upward compression effects, while TTM combines downward and upward compression across multiple bands. Finally, Op-El and Vari-Mu aim to replicate the sound of vintage optical and vari-mu hardware.
The pursuit of analogue warmth continues with an all-new Character panel, which offers access to three flavours of saturation. Tube, Diode and Bright modes are available, and users are provided with a variable Drive control along with pre- and post-compression routing options, allowing users to dial in a wide range of vintage-inspired distortion.
Atmos, Side Chain Section & Instance List
As well as trusty mono and stereo, Pro-C 3 also supports all major surround formats up to Dolby Atmos 9.6.1. Routing automatically adapts to the multi-channel format of the host project with no manual configuration required, and stereo linking in surround mode operates independently for each pair of channels (L/R, Lc/Rc, Ls/Rs and so on. The output level meter displays all channels.
Joining Internal, External and MIDI triggering in the Side Chain section is Host Sync, a new option that outputs a steady internal pulse that triggers the compressor at any tempo-synced note value, with adjustable Offset and trigger Length controls for fine-tuning. FabFilter say the function is ideal for dialling in rhythmic ducking effects without the need to configure an external trigger input. Further flexibility is provided by the new Auto Threshold setting, which dynamically shifts the compressor’s threshold so that the same amount of compression is triggered at different input levels.
Lastly, the plug-in now integrates with the Instance list in that was introduced in the company’s recently launched Pro-Q 4 processor. The functionality is available via an update for Pro-Q 4 — more on that below!
Key Features
Here’s a quick breakdown of everything that’s been introduced in the latest version.
- New: Versatile, Smooth, Upward, TTM, Op-El and Vari-Mu compression Styles
- New: Character Mode adds three types of realistic analogue saturation, colouration and drift: Tube, Diode and Bright
- New: Pro-C 3 instances can be controlled via the Instance List in Pro-Q 4.10, together with Pro-G and Pro-DS.
- New: Full immersive/Dolby Atmos functionality (up to 9.1.6), with customisable channel/stereo linking.
- New: Host tempo triggering for rhythmic compression.
- New: Auto Threshold for level-independent compressor triggering.
- New: Adjustable Maximum Lookahead enables balancing of latency against lookahead.
- Improved: Fresh new design.
- Improved: Side Chain EQ section increased to a maximum of six bands, with many more filter types and LP/HP Brickwall slopes.
- Improved: Oversampling up to 32x.
- Improved: Redesigned preset browser, with easy search, tags and metadata.
- Improved: Showing and hiding the Side Chain section no longer turns the Side Chain itself on and off.
- Improved: Easier access to Bypass button and MIDI triggering.
- Improved: Better reverse linking of Dry and Wet level knobs.
- Plus: All the usual FabFilter features: perfectly fine-tuned knobs and controllers, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample-accurate automation, NEON and SSE optimisation and more.
Pro-Q 4
Alongside the launch of Pro-C 3, FabFilter have released an update that kits Pro-Q 4 out with the following:
- Improved: Multi-plug-in support in the Instance List enables multiple instances of Pro-Q 4, Pro-C 3, Pro-G and Pro-DS to be controlled from a single, zoomable (up to full-screen) interface.
- Improved: Having any band in Spectral mode now always introduces the associated latency, even if its Dynamic Range is set to zero.
- Minor fixes and improvements.
FabFilter say that users of Pro-G and Pro-DS should download the latest minor updates to enable Instance List compatibility, and that their other FabFilter-ins will be added to the Instance List through future updates.
Compatibility
Pro-C 3 and Pro-Q 4 are supported on PCs running Windows Vista or higher, and Macs running macOS 10.13 and above. VST2, VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Pro-C 3 is available now, priced at $199£149 including VAT / €169. The latest update for Pro-Q 4 is available for free to all existing users.
