Fave compressor plug-in

[foolsfortune]

I'm looking for a decent compressor plug-in. What do you guys recommend?

Thanks
Mike

[Rufuss Sewell]

So far I like Blockfish best. And it's free. I haven't tried too many though. I have a real LA-2A and 1176 so I try to make sure I use them most of the time. Blockfish is definitely cool in a pinch though.

It turns all my mono tracks into stereo tracks for some reason. Don't like that too much.

[Ahellam]

Voxengo Crushessor and Waves C1

[3rd world order]

the free VST/AU SSL talkback compressor plugin... no top, no bottom, great for glue



mcDSP MC2000 is fun for spank too

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by foolsfortune

I'm looking for a decent compressor plug-in. What do you guys recommend?

Thanks
Mike

I think the best is the Sonalksis SV-315 and Waves Renaissance. I'd go for the Sonalksis SV-315 Compressor + SV-517 EQ bundle from www.sonalksis.com

I don't think the Waves C1 or Blockfish are very good.

[doorknocker]

As far as PT is concerned, the Digi compressor is most excellent and you never see it being discussed much here, presumably because it's 'uncool'.
I really like it on the drum bus, it is the most punchy of the plug-ins I demoed. The Chandler did nothing for me, McDSP Compressorbank is very good though but since the Digi comp comes with the system I don't see a need to lay down the extra bucks for that.

At the moment I'm using both the Digi Comp II and the III in PT7. The 'Steamroller' preset in the III version is just outrageous.

I like the fact that the Digi comp doesn't try to model hardware that really can't be modeled. Plug-ins can be very good if used properely i.e sparingly and not as a substitute for hardware. YMMV.

[catfish11]

UAD LA2A, UAD 1176, Waves SSL buss, Waves E channel strip, Massey ct4, Sony Oxford, Digi dynamics III
sort of dynamics- Cranesong Phoenix, Mcdsp analog channel

probably one I'm forgetting

[redroom]

UAD Fairchild on a drum group also another fan of the sonalkis compressor and the little SSL listen back compressor which rocks on paralell compression duties.

[captain caveman]

Originally Posted by Rufuss Sewell

So far I like Blockfish best. And it's free. I haven't tried too many though. I have a real LA-2A and 1176 so I try to make sure I use them most of the time. Blockfish is definitely cool in a pinch though.

It turns all my mono tracks into stereo tracks for some reason. Don't like that too much.

Have you tried clicking on the stereo button to the left of the controls? This toggles between mono and stereo mode.

Another vote for Blockfish here.

That and the UAD-1 compressors.

[Nerdyrocker]

I have to say that when I reach for a plug-in compressor, my first instincts lead me to either SMACK! or the Focusrite Red D3, both from Digidesign. Lately I have even been using the D3 as a mix bus compressor in Pro Tools and I have to say I have been impressed.

Their Dynamics III package is super sweet. I like the comp but I like the de-esser even better.

Cool thread.

[jdjustice]

A person above mentioned the Sonalksis SV-315 compressor. I think that is probably the best plug-in compressor made today. I even have situations where I use it in place of my Drawmer. If you need your compression to be transparent, the Sonalksis is wonderful. You can dial in "color" though if you want.....

BUT my favorite compressor with real character and a "sound" to it is currently the Chandler Limited EMI TG12413 Abbey Road.... that is a sweet sounding plug-in!!!


So for just about all tasks where I want to use plug-in compression, I reach for the Sonalksis SV-315 or the Chandler EMI. That covers all the bases for me.

Oh, and if you do get the Sonalksis, consider buying the equalizer with it, the SV-517. It is also quite awesome and is very musical.

Happy hunting!!

J.D.

[True North]

Another vote here for Sonalksis

[MDM]

Sony Oxford Dynamics

Sonalksis

[xmostynx]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

I think the best is the Sonalksis SV-315 and Waves Renaissance. I'd go for the Sonalksis SV-315 Compressor + SV-517 EQ bundle from www.sonalksis.com

I don't think the Waves C1 or Blockfish are very good.

i am more and more moving AWAY from my waves bundle...it kills all my audio-any kind of great(ness) i feel it destroys...i wonder if there are some good unbaised reviews on those...like someone that really shows the tech end of it all....

[pigcat]

Waves SSL, Sonalksis, anything from UAD-1...

[azwun25]

Blockfish
Sonalksis
Waves SSL
Anything UAD-1
McDSP

[Rufuss Sewell]

Originally Posted by captain caveman

Have you tried clicking on the stereo button to the left of the controls? This toggles between mono and stereo mode.

Another vote for Blockfish here.

That and the UAD-1 compressors.

In Logic it only comes up as a stereo plug in. It's not on the mono menu. I would like to figure out how to keep it mono in Logic.

[BorrelNote]

1176, La2a and Fairchild from UAD
oh and also the Precision Multiband Compressor from UAD.

Sonalksis is ok but not that great imho...

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Rufuss Sewell

In Logic it only comes up as a stereo plug in. It's not on the mono menu. I would like to figure out how to keep it mono in Logic.

This is driving me crazy too!!

[TonyBelmont]

URS & Waves SSL.

[noiseflaw]

Sonalksis, Waves SSL.

Nuff said.

[007]

One more vote for Sonalksis. Not only the compressor and eq, but the CQ1 and DQ1 do wonders on my mix buss, especially the latter, gives a nice front-to-back depth and a slight sheen to the mix.

[The Beatsmith]

PSP Mixpressor

[peter martin]

URS 1970 & 1980 thumbsup thumbsup
Waves Rcomp
Voxengo Elephant for limiting
Voxengo Marquis (still learning this one, might replace the Rcomp)
Sonalksis (sometimes, never can get it to sound right)

[peter martin]

Originally Posted by xmostynx

i am more and more moving AWAY from my waves bundle...it kills all my audio-any kind of great(ness) i feel it destroys...i wonder if there are some good unbaised reviews on those...like someone that really shows the tech end of it all....

I feel you on this one, Rcomp & L2 where the last Waves plugs I've used. Now they might get replaced by their less expensive Voxengo (Marquis/Elephant2) counterparts. They sound far more musical.

[pingu]

Sonalksis is great esp on the mix bus.

PSP master comp is awesome but not too good for real time.

Marquis

rcomp

Do not shy away from the capabilities of trans x

[mbb]

PSP Mastercomp (no. 1) and Voxengo Marquis (no. 2) are my favorites at the moment.

Can´t wait for SqueezeTone

cheers
mbb

[blackcom]

Can someone try to explain how Sony Oxford and UAD 1176/LA2A sounds different?

How does the Sony Oxford work for Snare, Drum-bus, vocals and bass?

[username]

Blockfish.. and for some insane reason it's free..

Voxengo elephant for limiting

psp vintage warmer for character

sonalkasis

[StrykeBack]

I try to stay away from the extremely clean plugins such as the digis...i don't have access to a lot of outboard gear so as much color as i can get from these extra plugins is always a plus. The waves SSL comps are nice and punchy. I really like the elemental audio Nydinium....if I could only figure out how to master all the details. Thought the oxfords were way too clean as well. I've heard great things about the sonalksis as well. the URS comps were ok but i loved their eqs so much more.