Any recommendations for a good compressor?

[scottdavidson]

klanghelm dc8, artsacoustic cl1 are both excellent

[kpsiegel]

FabFilter Pro-C is fantastic. I also love the Softube FET compressor but you need an iLok for that which you may not like.

[Homunculus]

cytomic the Glue the very best bar none imho also i like plugin alliance vertigo and waves cla 76 but if I were to have just one compressor it would be the Glue

[Resonator]

+1 for Pro-C

also Elysias Alpha,Vertigo VSC-2 & PSP Old Timer are worth checking out.

[offki]

Pro - C is nice, but it can be a bit too transparent, if that's what you want though, it's great.

I would say the combo of PSP Mixpressor and PSP Saturator, comes as part of a pack. Took me a while to come to that conclusion, but yep, if you want some analog style compression, that's your best bet imo.

PSP MixPack an analog sound plug-ins (VST, AudioUnit, RTAS) for mixing and mastering!

Otherwise, Fab Filter C, Eylsia Alpha, Ozone 5.

[david1103]

ThrillseekerLA

ThrillseekerLA – released today – Variety Of Sound

It is free, and in my opinion the best sound quality of any VST compressor.

It can be very (the most i ever heard) clean with the distortion turned off. It is very clever with your source sounds and adjusts its attack/release automatically.

It is best for dynamic sounds that need transparent taming like vocals and sometimes drums.

Your question depends on what type sound of you like best. Clean/Distorted/Modern/Vintage/Hi-Fi/Lo-Fi... don't spend too much time worrying about it, just pick one you like and stick with it

[offki]

Originally Posted by david1103

Your question depends on what type sound of you like best. Clean/Distorted/Modern/Vintage/Hi-Fi/Lo-Fi... don't spend too much time worrying about it, just pick one you like and stick with it

This is true, it's a bit like walking into a sports shop and shouting "which sporting device is best for me?", depends what sport you play.

[Megadrum]

Originally Posted by offki

This is true, it's a bit like walking into a sports shop and shouting "which sporting device is best for me?", depends what sport you play.

Indeed you are correct sir. I should have specified. However I am a little new to working with compressors and I'm not too sure how different they can be from each other, which is why I wanted to grab different kinds and compare them. What are the differences between a lo-fi and a hi-fi?

[aunshui]

Originally Posted by Megadrum

What are the differences between a lo-fi and a hi-fi?

I don't really think of compressors like this - to me, these words are better suited for for describing a modulation effect or a synth than a compressor. I like to think of things in terms of "clean" or "distorted."

Clean is just that - clean. Good for a touch of gain reduction or thickening, probably on a vocal or a drum that just needs a bit more "oomph."

The waves RCompressor comes to mind here, as does the Sonnox offering. Think of these more as a "fattening" tool than an effect.

Dirty covers everything from a bit of grit all the way up to pure sonic mayhem. On the lighter end of this scale might be your hardware emulations - API, SSL, and the vintage stuff can all get quite dirty.

When I need insane compression for sound design or making a boring loop/drum recording sing, I go here:

Audio Damage :: Rough Rider

Best of all, it's free

[Megadrum]

Thank you aunshui for the link and helping clear that up.

[Mononym]

are the factory compressors in Ableton/Logic not good? or just basic?

[NYCruiser]

You want a dirty comp? Camel Crusher. 'nuf said.

[aunshui]

Originally Posted by Mononym

are the factory compressors in Ableton/Logic not good? or just basic?

I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with them per se, they're just designed to be versatile so you can use 'em on everything from tracking to the mix bus, and therefore don't really excel in any one area.

I don't use Logic anymore, but I remember the compressors being exceptionally clean and perhaps a bit sterile in character, though they can certainly get dirty when you push 'em. Live's compressor is a bit grittier, but definitely capable of clean gain reduction when you want that. Neither is really what I would call "inspiring" though.

I've moved onto others for most other compression duties, though I still use Live's inbuilt one for sidechaining.

[mike vee]

soft tube tube tech emulation is AMAZING Tube-Tech CL 1B by Softube

[offki]

Originally Posted by Mononym

are the factory compressors in Ableton/Logic not good? or just basic?

I think Abletons compressor is one of the best I've used, it offers more than a lot of 3rd party plugs, but it lacks and real character, it's great for smaller jobs and of course for ducking etc.

I guess I should mention the SSL Deunde and Sonnox ones too, but they're a bit more high end and more about the sound of specific mixing consoles. Possibly some of the best plug ins about, if you have the cash to spare.

[Megadrum]

Originally Posted by Mononym

are the factory compressors in Ableton/Logic not good? or just basic?

I'm actually using FL Studio (don't judge!). The only factory [mixing] effects plugin I really like on it is the Parametric EQ 2, and I'd like to hear how other compressors sound outside of theirs.

[MarkhamCornoit]

Hey offki...I completely agree with you. I have tried this compressor. I found it really good. Thanks.

[Kindred]

I am a massive Elysia Alpha fan - I use it for just about everything...

[8BitCulprit]

All down to what you want it to do, I have a few..

No-one has suggested Waves R-Compressor or H-Compressor, which are both excellent, don't be fooled by pretty interfaces, the sound is what matters.

[Entrainer]

Maybe check out UBK-1...
he made some nice preset curves for different
situations. Read the manual if there is one.

Should be a decent beginner compressor and
suits the pros too. The trick is less is more...

[aunshui]

Originally Posted by 8BitCulprit

No-one has suggested Waves R-Compressor

I did

[Megadrum]

I'm living the glue so far

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Gearslutz App

[8BitCulprit]

Originally Posted by Megadrum

I'm living the glue so far

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Gearslutz App

You go girl, you live that glue.

After it being forced upon me here, Klanghelm is amazing for the price. I'm pretty partial to the snap setting, it's..snappy.

[Reptil]

agree Klanghelm is almost hardware like in it's dynamics
paired with IRCAM VERB (Session) it's scary
other favorites
Logic Compressor (is just... good)
Elysia MPressor (some interesting things possible that are unique)
Softube FET Compressor (I like the action on this, very good, but Klanghelm beats it)

been trying out UBK-1 plugin. good for the dynamics section (middle). haven't really clicked with the in and out part myself, like my hardware better for saturation-distortion (not fair... apples vs. oranges I know) try it though - you might like it

Softube CL-1B is great but it has a distinct upper midrange colour that I didn't really could fit in (yet)

[pointsource]

I love when these threads pop up:

All the compressors available in the world are recommended.

Here's one more:

Overstayer VCA and FET compressors

[sam2012]

I am shocked to see nobody has mentioned DMG Audio Compassion. Really recommend this.

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by Reptil

agree Klanghelm is almost hardware like in it's dynamics
paired with IRCAM VERB (Session) it's scary

Not just me then....lol...indeed Klanghelm is to my mind the soft comp most like decent hardware I have tried. Even has a sort of silky type tone to it which doesn't rape your audio but definitely adds a whiff of smooth.....in a nice way. very unusual for a plug me thinks.

[8BitCulprit]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

Not just me then....lol...indeed Klanghelm is to my mind the soft comp most like decent hardware I have tried. Even has a sort of silky type tone to it which doesn't rape your audio but definitely adds a whiff of smooth.....in a nice way. very unusual for a plug me thinks.

Have you not tried Mpressor? Bit fiddly, but amazing sound.

[DSK]

Klanghelm, CL Series, Waves PIE, Softube FET, UBK-1

From all that I've demoed these are the only one that have remained in my memory.

I could only afford one so I got the CL Series as they are 3 similar yet different.

@Reptil You should try PIE and CL also with Verb Session it's just