Founded by the team behind Mastering.com, Woodstock Audio are a new developer that have been founded with the aim of revealing the technical aspects behind common audio processes. Their first release, Open Compressor, aims to bring objectivity to dynamics processing, helping users to understand the underlying process thanks to a detailed graphical interface.
Said to go way beyond the capabilities of other visualiser-equipped plug-ins, Open Compressor sports a detailed graphical display that provides users with a detailed insight into how the incoming audio is being processed. Its main waveform display shows gain reduction, clipper threshold and limiter threshold, and even includes before and after views of the signal’s waveform. a Frequency Response graph displays a tone curve and a spectrum analyser, while a Saturation Display displays the amount of odd and even harmonics present in the signal, and a Knee display details the shape of compressor’s knee and gain-reduction status. An Oscilloscope view then offers a snapshot of the resulting waveshape.
The company say that the abundance of real-time information means that Open Compressor helps users to develop a deeper understanding of dynamics processing, and offers them all the information they need to make better decisions for their music. Despite the focus on education, though, the plug-in certainly isn’t short on features. Peak and RMS operating modes are joined by switchable feed-forward feedback architectures, and Regular or Optical ballistic models delivering a range of creative processing styles that span from “smooth and controlled” to “bold and brash”. Some tonal shaping is provided by some built-in saturation options, while limiting and clipping sections provide some additional dynamics-based capabilities.
Open Compressor aims to help users develop a deeper understanding of dynamics processing using a selection of informative real-time displays.
Key Features
- Open-worked interface that allows users to see everything that’s happening under the hood as they tweak parameters.
- Modular dynamics processing Peak or RMS operating modes, Feed-forward/Feed-back architecture, and Digital or Opto ballistic models that allow users to tailor their compression.
- Auto Threshold mode applies source-dependent gain reduction, regardless of the input level.
- Low Level Control blends seamlessly between downward expansion and upward compression.
- Saturator with separate Drive controls adds character to your sound by introducing odd and even harmonics.
- Look-ahead anticipates transients.
- Waveform view shows compressor, clipper and limiter thresholds and gain reduction, with before-and-after audio waveforms.
- Pre-compressor Limiter and Clipper designed to catch peaks early.
- Post-compressor Tone control allows for timbre tweaks to shape the final output.
“I built Mastering.com on the principle of objectivity, and we’re taking the same approach with Woodstock Audio. We believe that, by giving engineers and producers the knowledge and understanding of technical processes, they can make more informed and objective decisions using any tools, and apply their skills wherever they find themselves. Open Compressor is the first of a range of tools planned by Woodstock Audio — I already know that I want to develop an EQ next. It will follow the same approach of providing building blocks and revealing first principles.” - Woodstock Audio founder Rob Mayzes
Compatibility
Open Compressor is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.13 and higher. VST3 and AAX plug-in versions are available from launch, with an AAX version being made available later in October 2025.
Pricing & Availability
Open Compressor is available now, and is currently (7 October 2025) being offered at an introductory prices of $99£72, reduced from its full cost of $122£89. Prices include VAT.
