Compressors

Will Waves' plug-in emulation of the Abbey Road RS124, which was based on a much modified Altec 436B valve compressor, find favour with today's engineers and producers?

If you’re into analogue processing but worried about your carbon footprint, Tierra have you covered!

This “punchy hybrid compressor” draws its inspiration from both the classic API and SSL hardware designs.

Ever wondered what a ‘four‑quadrant analogue multiplier compressor’ might sound like? Neither had we — but it turns out to be something a bit special!

We check out a modern take on Manley’s classic valve compressor.

We check out Korneff’s vibey take on a tube‑laden FET compressor.

This characterful compressor offers a little more control than most ‘vibe machines’.

Though there’s only one main user control, VocalMint's audio path comprises a serial chain of three different types of compressor, and multiple behind‑the‑scenes parameters have been optimised specifically for vocal processing.

Unisum boasts a unique array of advanced parameters, but achieving good results isn't as daunting as you might think.

These two plug‑ins bring you the spirit of their 'unobtainium' hardware counterparts!

SSL's famous listen-mic compressor just got more tweakable.

This studio VCA compressor in a pedal employs THAT VCA chips like those found in, for example, modern iterations of the SSL bus compressor.

These audio examples accompany the review of Black Lion Audio’s Bluey FET compressor in SOS June 2020

Black Lion's Bluey recreates an 1176 that has made more hits than most!

Manley's well-liked optical compressor gets a makeover in time for its 30th birthday!

Want to combine the freedom to choose EQs and compressors with the convenience of a single plug‑in? PSP may have the answer...

Is this modelled vari-mu compressor as easy on the ear as it is on the eye?

Can this 'New York–style compression' recapture the experience of sending audio out to a UREI 1176 in 'all buttons in' mode, smashing the crap out of it and blending it back under the dry signal?

Is this unassuming plug-in a great leap forward in mastering compression?

Based on a classic design and bursting with transformers, the Successor from Heritage Audio combines a vintage sound with serious flexibility.

This clever design rethinks many aspects of compressors that we've long taken for granted.