Clean, versatile, digital compression.

[kingtoad]

I'm pretty sure that DMG Audio Compassion has everything you list - I've never really gotten on with it but it's fairly cheap and insanely flexible.

I really like Elysia Alpha - it's my most used plugin compressor, usually in parallel - but it can have a slight "softening" effect on some material. Again, a lot of options.

I demo'd the Sonoris mastering compressor and decided I didn't need it but I remember it being very clean and easy to use. Can't remember if it had M/S etc.

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by kingtoad

I'm pretty sure that DMG Audio Compassion has everything you list - I've never really gotten on with it but it's fairly cheap and insanely flexible.

I really like Elysia Alpha - it's my most used plugin compressor, usually in parallel - but it can have a slight "softening" effect on some material. Again, a lot of options.

I demo'd the Sonoris mastering compressor and decided I didn't need it but I remember it being very clean and easy to use. Can't remember if it had M/S etc.

Thanks for reminding me about the DMG, I will demo that this afternoon with the Sonoris also.

PS. I think we may have some mutual friends in the "music game" but that's an aside

[huejahfink]

Klanghelm DC8C is a real powerhouse of compression. Don't let the ridiculously low price fool you!
A lot of really interesting features make this capable of many different compression styles.

Regarding your 'bonus' :

It doesn't have M/S built in but you can move the detector between linked and unlinked and run it in a matrix instead.

I'm not keen on the saturation but it's switchable.

Finally, you mentioned sidechain filters - yes you can use a high and low pass filter plus an additional tilt EQ that has worked out to be more helpful than the filters in some cases. Plus you can also use an external feed to sidechain. (I don't think I've touched the Sonnox Dynamics since I got this - which used to be my go-to plug for sidechained comp tasks.)

100% recommendation from me. Nothing I dislike about it, and at a price you've (nearly) nothing to lose.

[Babaluma]

Was also gonna say DC8C, have been blown away by the sound/cost ratio recently.

[bendermastering]

Try the elysia alpha plugin, it is very good and has the functions you need.

[Red Mastering]

psp mastercomp
doesn't have m/s option (although I dont tend to compress M and S separately, and if I do, it's very rare)
it's super versatile and very transparent
got mix knob, limiter (not brickwall though)
and few other interesting functions (band compression with monitoring)
I use it as expander a lot (when I use expansion)
try demo,
I think now psp got like 38% off for their product,
so maybe it's good offer for you

[mastertone]

Hofa iq-comp

[ciro]

Originally Posted by huejahfink

Klanghelm DC8C is a real powerhouse of compression. Don't let the ridiculously low price fool you!
A lot of really interesting features make this capable of many different compression styles.

Originally Posted by Babaluma

Was also gonna say DC8C, have been blown away by the sound/cost ratio recently.

+1

Ciro

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by Red Mastering

psp mastercomp
doesn't have m/s option (although I dont tend to compress M and S separately, and if I do, it's very rare)
it's super versatile and very transparent
got mix knob, limiter (not brickwall though)
and few other interesting functions (band compression with monitoring)
I use it as expander a lot (when I use expansion)
try demo,
I think now psp got like 38% off for their product,
so maybe it's good offer for you

For sure, I worked out it would be 90 quid(!) to me if I used my PSP discount for owning many of their plugins and that 38%, plus I love their service. I have unfortunately used up my demo licence a long time ago for the plugin, so have emailed to request a new one.

[ramil]

Algorithmix Splitcomp. Dont have m/s but as everyone said you can run matrix. It has HPF filters and even more than that. Sound? For me, personally I was surprised that plugin comp can sound so nice even tho its clean digital comp.

[CJ Mastering]

Joe, have you tried or looked into the FAb Pro C? I think its very clean in my opinion.

[Franco]

UAD Precision Bus Comp. Super transparent, mix control, HPF and completely slept on.

[Foldedpath]

Originally Posted by Joe_caithness

Bonus if it has:

M/S matrix
HPF in the sidechain
Some analogue modes available for a bit of extra vibe

I've been auditioning Fabfilter Pro-C recently, and I think I'm going to get it. It has all of the above, with a slick and easy to use interface. Very clean in the default mode, with two options for a little color with the "Classic" and "Opto" settings. There's a demo available.

[RRCHON]

+1

For Elysia alpha and/or FabFilter Pro C

[Resonator]

+1 for Fabfilter Pro-C. Also DC8C is great for the price.

Also try Vertigo VSC2


If anyone needs a 10% Fabfilter friend discount code pm me your email and i'll send you one

[huejahfink]

Originally Posted by Resonator

Also DC8C is great for the price.

It would still be great at 10 times the price! Remarkable software.

I know I already put my vote in, and this is milking it.
What of it

[Joe_caithness]

wow the Elysia is incredible!

[raymondwave]

Elysia Alpha is something else, like no other compressor I've tried. It's the only thing on my arsenal that has that "miracle maker" factor.

[huejahfink]

Originally Posted by Joe_caithness

wow the Elysia is incredible!

You mind me asking what you find so particularly incredible about it?

That's not some kind of sarcastic doubt-fest, but a genuine question.

[engmix]

I've tried them all, well, not the VST only comps, pretty much all of the RTAS and AU plugin compressors for mastering, and or mixing over the years. For mastering and to my taste, the Sonoris Mastering Compressor slayed them all. The word "transparent" get's thrown around like a cheap suit, but this plugin is truly transparent like no other compressor plugin that i've tried. There's a setting on this thing that heavily reminded me of my Pendulum OCL-2, i think it's the last preset. In fact, again for mastering, it's so well thought out and the quality under the hood is exactly what what you want. Useful meeter ballistics, MS, and a Second Order Harmonic enhancer if wanted. And the parallel fader is the cherry on top, along with a second Knee. This plugin is pure high end, no bullshit, and finely tuned for mastering. I use analog comps for attitude, but for control, this thing is scary good with what you can do with it, once you get to know it's depth. Anything from punchy to spongy, but with utmost transparency.

[FabienTDR]

Hey Joe,

pls try this one out, seems to be exactly what you're looking for. Beta started 2-3 days ago.





TDR Feedback Compressor II (beta) | Tokyo Dawn Records

[teebaum]

+1 for the elysia alpha

[diogo_c]

Fabien is doing a great job on his Feedback Compressor. The 1st version was very nice sounding and mk2 is getting even better, not to mention the great support and the (lack of) cost.

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by huejahfink

You mind me asking what you find so particularly incredible about it?

That's not some kind of sarcastic doubt-fest, but a genuine question.

Hey!

Was on my way out when I wrote that, hence the shortness, e.

OK so it sounds incredibly transparent as it is, and has a wide range of adjustments you can dial in AFTER getting the GR you need if you wanna change the tone of the compression itself.

Even at fast attacks the bass stays stable, way more than any plugin compressor I have heard. Added good sounding EQ, why not?! Side chain EQ can be filters or shelves with a wide ranging freq selection.

The linking and matrix functions mean you can basically get a ballpark compression setting then flick in and out to see if anything is gained or lossed, very good workflow indeed.

Gonna be purchased very soon!

[Joe_caithness]

Oh and the softclipper sounds great

[huejahfink]

Thanks for your reply! It's certainly a plugin that seems to get mentioned time and time again, starting to wonder what all the fuss is about.

Did you try out the DC8C yet Joe?

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by huejahfink

Thanks for your reply! It's certainly a plugin that seems to get mentioned time and time again, starting to wonder what all the fuss is about.

Did you try out the DC8C yet Joe?

No I did not, second I grabbed the Alpha a job which will take me 3 days landed on my lap.. karma?

[stinkyfingers]

ReaComp

[mmarra]

Elysia Alpha plug-in is my main digital compressor as I like the M/S abilities as well it is fairly color less and keeps the stereo image intact well. I would like to demo the Sonoris Mastering Compressor but I just haven't had time to compare...I will try soon as the Sonoris seems to get alot of praise for its transparency.