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A Who's Who of Software Compressors - A guide to mixing music - Part 41

The number of compressor plug-ins on the market is overwhelming. As you'll surely understand, it would be impossible for me to create an complete list here. Nevertheless, my collaboration with Audiofanzine and my "audio geek" side have led me to try out quite a few of them. So, here are my own personal favorites when it comes to software compressors.

View other articles in this series...

The freebies

I sometimes like to challenge myself and go: “Today you’ll mix exclusively with freeware.” Whenever that happens, I usually resort to three compressors: Molot, TDR Feedback Compressor II and ReaComp. But don’t get me wrong, I also like to use them regularly under normal circumstances, even if I’m not challenging myself. I mentioned my all-freeware challenge only to make the point that it is possible to work seriously using freeware alone.

I use the TDR Feedback Compressor II when I need a soft and transparent compression. ReaComp can handle harder compression while still remaining transparent. Molot, for its part, is a dirtier compressor, in the sense that it adds a particular coloring of its own.

 

I must admit that the quality of compressor plug-ins has clearly increased in the last couple of years. The difference in terms of quality with the hardware big boys is still there, but it’s never been so small. Oddly enough, in the current who-sounds-more-like-analog game, the most expensive plug-ins aren’t necessarily the best… Thus, my go-to compressor is the very affordable Klanghelm DC8C 2. If you were to take a quick look at all the mixes I’ve done in 2014, you’d find the DC8C 2 on 95 percent of them. However, my arsenal has increased with some real heavyweights lately…

For instance, the DC8C 2 was recently outclassed by the equally affordable TDR Kotelnikov – Gentleman’s Edition for bus compression duties. Note that the plug-in maker also offers a free version, which is only a bit more limited.

On the other hand, when I really need to completely “twist” the behavior of my compressor to process a particularly stubborn track at will, I have recently started to go for the U-He Presswerk.
Finally, the last couple of months I have frequently resorted to the compressors included in the Slate Digital Virtual Mix Rack. Besides sounding very nice, they are easy and comfortable to use, all while remaining relatively low in terms of CPU usage.

Multiband compressors

I seldom use multiband compressors during mixdown, but if I ever do, there are only two plug-ins that are up to the task, in my opinion. The first one is none other than the FabFilter Pro-MB, whose versatility is unmatched.

The second one is developed by the Frenchmen at Blue Cat Audio: The MB-7 Mixer 2. Strictly speaking, it isn’t a true multiband compressor, but it allows you to split the frequency range into several bands and apply to them any third-party plug-in you see fit! In other words, you can create the multiband compressor of your dreams by combining your favorite compressors!

And that’s it for today. Once again, this list was based on my own personal tastes, and there are heaps of other excellent choices available. It’s up to you to find the software compressors that work best for your music.

← Previous article in this series:
Dialing in a Multiband Compressor
Next article in this series:
Transient Processors →
  • GOAscend 6 posts
    GOAscend
    New AFfiliate
    Posted on 07/25/2015 at 09:52:13

    Very nice of the author to put the best freewares up front in the article.
    Much appreciated.

    Keep up the good work !
  • Mike Levine 1066 posts
    Mike Levine
    Site Admin
    Posted on 07/25/2015 at 13:45:16
    Thanks! Glad you found it useful. :-)
  • john g 1 post
    john g
    New AFfiliate
    Posted on 10/11/2015 at 09:33:46
    :bravo:Its getting a bit over loaded with software compressors imo,good article though about the good free ones,i just use Molt and Rough Rider.
    I had a few more in my vst folder but cleaned it up a bit recently,was installing far too many free fx and instruments,trying to just stick to a few and then learn to use them more than just having countless vst plugins,some hardly got used after trying them out the first time.
  • Mike Levine 1066 posts
    Mike Levine
    Site Admin
    Posted on 10/14/2015 at 11:18:46
    Quote:
    trying to just stick to a few and then learn to use them more than just having countless vst plugins,some hardly got used after trying them out the first time.

    Hi John. That's a good strategy. It's definitely easy to acquire a lot more plug-ins than one needs, and then never master any of them.

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