Killer, top-of-the-line VST/DX compression plug-ins?

[copperx]

There's been a lot of discussion of killer native plugin equalizers (URS, Hydratone, Algorithmix, etc) but I can't find reference to very very good native compressors besides the ones included in the UAD-1 card. URS looks promising, but the VST version is not yet released. What do you consider killer compressor plugins? So far all I've tried is disappointing ... PSP VintageWarmer, Anwida (not that bad) ... I'm using SawStudio Basic, should I stay with the native SAW compressors?

[thermos]

If you haven't tried sonalksis, its one of the better ones I've found. Compressor quality certainly seems to be lacking in general though.......

[bugs]

Check out the Voxengo stuff.

[Marky]

Elemental Audio's Neodynium comes in VST form. It's user interface takes some practice but the quality of the results are worth it.

I A-B'd it for a while with the Sonalksys and whilst the sonalksys came across as very smooth, for most practical purposes I preferred the Neodynium.

[mogWai]

Best native with bags of character - PSP MIxPack imo, I agree the Vintage Warmer is disappointing, but its not strictly a compressor.

I think Mixpack oozes flavour like the UAD1 1176, more so than Voxengo (Which I hate) and Sonalkiss which is Ok..

I gues you use what you know.

[copperx]

Originally Posted by mogWai

Voxengo (Which I hate)

Are you talking about the Marquis? and why do you hate it?

[Yoni]

PSPs new mastercomp sounds pretty killer to me. But it's heavy on the CPU and can't really be used on as many tracks as you would with other compressor plug-ins.

[frist44]

Originally Posted by mogWai

Best native with bags of character - PSP MIxPack imo, I agree the Vintage Warmer is disappointing, but its not strictly a compressor.

I think Mixpack oozes flavour like the UAD1 1176, more so than Voxengo (Which I hate) and Sonalkiss which is Ok..

I gues you use what you know.

I 100% agree. I'm a long time vintagewarmer user. I love that plug, but it works a little differently. I thought mixpack wouldn't be anything to brag about, but I gave it a chance and the hell if that mixpressor plug doesn't crush the crap out of a parallel drum bus. Not to mention the others in the package. I love the mixsaturtor as well.

The new voxengo compress, marquis, is pretty impressive as well. their crunchessor compressor never seemed to do what i want. but i think he's onto something with that marquis. I have the Sonalksis compressor, and it is very smooth, but often times doesn't bring out the character that I'm looking for. It will crush something pretty good as well. Before I found the mixpressor, that was constantly stuck on the drum bus.

oh well. i'm grateful that companies like voxengo and psp keep pushing the envelope in vst effects.

hope this helps.
Brandon

[George Necola]

another vote for Elemental Audio's Neodynium..

[copperx]

Originally Posted by George Necola

another vote for Elemental Audio's Neodynium..

I'll guess I'll give it another try. When I demoed it I thought the amount of controls were overwhelming and the manual didn't help much. I didn't know that learning it was worth it.

[Improv]

I highly recommend Digitafishphones' Blockfish. It's not clean or pristine, but the colors and shapes you can make with it are phenomenal. Closest thing to a Distressor on nuke that I've heard in a plugin.

The 'complex' mode is particularly dirty fun.

Oh, did I mention they're free?(!)

try it out...

[ILL]

Be sure to download the newest version of marquis labeled as beta it introduces new release modes and a clean mode. My favourite compressor right now.

[Lagerfeldt]

Sonalksis SV-315 or Waves Renaissance Compressor.

[mogWai]

Originally Posted by copperx

Are you talking about the Marquis? and why do you hate it?

I havent tried Marquis. I'm talking about Crunchessor

For me, its about the GUI with Voxengo plug-ins. I just hate it. Thats important for me when staring at these things all day.

But even Crunchessor for all its valve, warmth presets etc, doesnt touch MixPack for character, imo.

[Midlandmorgan]

I second the Blockfish....Endorphin is great for adding some cojones....

Kjaerhus makes some absolutely wonderful comps....they have two freebies (Classic Compression on some tracks, and Classic Master Limiter on the final outs) that get used everyday here...The comps in Samplitude 8's "Analog Suite" are indeed sweet...very VERY effective.

But, like many, I am using external comps more and more, and software less and less...Frankly, I don't think I've used a UAD compressor in over a month....

[theblue1]

I seldom see it mentioned, but I've had very good luck with the Timeworks 64 bit compressor that came along with a previous version of Sonar Producer. (There was also a [64 bit internal] EQ, as well, that I also really like.)

I haven't had a chance to compare it to other high end (okay... pay-for) compressors (except the Edirol compressor that came in a set of generally useful Edirol plugs with a later Sonar) but it's usually the first compressor plug I reach for. (Although I do occasionally use Blockfish for 'vintage style' compression on vocals and guitar tracks.)

[stag]

Sonalksis, Waves, PSP.
PSP has released Mastercomp which i like more than the previous one they had,IMO
too harsh sounding.

I.m demoing Buzcomp they sound very well, i didn´t buy them yet but probably i will.

Bye.

[Teacher]

Originally Posted by Yoni

PSPs new mastercomp sounds pretty killer to me. But it's heavy on the CPU and can't really be used on as many tracks as you would with other compressor plug-ins.

MasterComp kicks ass

[cdog]

The Voxengo Marquis compressor has impressed me a lot so far.

It reminds me in some ways of the Crane Song STC8.

Very clean and powerful, but with an EQ sidechain built in.

Very cool, not too agressive sounding through. Great on vocals and mixes.

[Marky]

Originally Posted by copperx

I'll guess I'll give it another try. When I demoed it I thought the amount of controls were overwhelming and the manual didn't help much. I didn't know that learning it was worth it.

There's a good tutorial on EA's website which should take half an hour at the most to go through - once you get to grips with how it works it becomes second nature. I also recommend keeping the number of zones to 1 to replicate traditional compressors, and in fact that is mostly how I use it.

[A Fak]

Sonalksis SV-315 or Waves Renaissance Compressor.

I'll 2nd that

[Darius van H]

For a plugin, the PSP master-comp sounds pretty good.

[pjarrett]

What about the one that comes with Samplitude pro 9?

[SteveE9C6]

Voxengo Marquis...

As virtually all of his plug ins, it is deceptively simple to use but in reality a very deep program.

[noiseflaw]

Sonalksis SV-315

Great plug - transparent, clean, subtle and effective.