Studio compressors user reviews

The API Audio 527 is a fairly new compressor that is designed for use in a Lunchbox/500 series style rack casing. While it is a new model, it is based on the API 225L. I'm a big fan of these 500 se…

The Peavey CEL 2 is a stereo compressor, limter, and expander designed for use in the studio and on the stage. My experience with the CEL 2 is in the studio, but I have seen and heard of this being …

The API Audio 525 is a single channel compressor inside the confines of a 500 series rackable piece of gear. It is made up of all analog components, and in terms of general make up has some interest…

Manley Langevin's Stereo Variable Mu is a dual channel limiter and compressor. It is an analog dynamic processor, the connections of which I'm not sure of as the few times I've used it it was racked…

The SSL G384 is a rare and hard to find compressor. SSL doesn't have all that many older compressors in terms of outboard gear, as of course they are best known for their consoles. The G384 is an a…

The Dbx 162 is a vintage stereo compressor/limiter. It is in the 160s family, and has the same look and style to many of the models in this line of dynamic processors. The 162 is strictly an analog…

The API Audio 2500 is an all analog stereo compressor. It isn't two separate channels that can split up - you have to use it as a stereo pair. It has XLR inputs and output for each of the channels,…

The Orban 422 A Compressor is a single channel, analog compressor, limiter, and de-esser. I don't know what type of connections it has since the one I've used was racked up, but I'm fairly certain t…

The Dbx 161 is a vintage, single channel compressor/limiter that is no longer being made. The unit is made up of analog components, and I believe it has XLR connections but I'm not 100% sure as the …

The Smart Research C1 Dual/Stereo Compressor is two channels of a high end dynamics processor. It is made up of analog components, although I'm not sure on what type of connections it has since the …

The Pendulum Audio ES-8 is a stereo, tube based limiter. It is made up of analog parts and will take up two spaces in a traditional rack casing. I don't know what types of connections it has since …

The SSL XR626 Stereo Bus Compressor Module is a single channel of the type of compressor you'd find in a SSL console. The unit is designed for placement in the X-rack series of modules. It is a pre…

The D.W. Fearn VT-7 is a stereo compressor with vacuum tubes. The VT-7 is made extremely well as it is the type of unit that will last a lifetime. I don't know the types of connections that it has …

The Chameleon Labs 7802 is a stereo optical, tube based compressor made for the recording studio. I don't know what types of connections it has, as the one that I've used was already racked up in th…

The FMR Audio PBC-6A is a single channel compressor, and is the newest that FMR Audio has to offer. It has both XLR and 1/4" connections and isn't in a traditional rack mountable case, as it is in a…

The Pendulum Audio OCL-2 is a dual channel compressor/limiter that runs on vacuum tubes. The unit is made up of analog parts, with the two channels having the same make up. I can't say what types o…

The Chandler Limited Little Devil Compressor is a FET based dynamic processor in 500 series of modules which fit into the lunchbox style rack made famous by API.  This is a single channel compressor …

The Summit DCL-200 is a dual channel compressor/limiter in the form of an analog piece of outboard gear.  The unit has XLR connections for inputs and outputs, and also has 1/4 inch connections for li…

The Anamod AM670 is a modern adaptation of the Fairchild 670, a very good one at that.  The compressor has two channels, and while it looks a bit different than the original 670, it has the same make…

Retro Instruments 176 Tube Limiter is a single channel compressor/limiter.  It is an all analog piece of gear that offers up a ton of features and parameters to mold your tone with.  I can't say anyt…

The Drawmer TS-2 Tubestation is a dual channel compressor that is based on vacuum tubes.  It is an analog piece of gear that has a slew of connections including XLR and 1/4 inch for both ins and outs…

The RCA BA6A Compressor/Limiter is a vintage dynamic processor that is simple in make up and very rare.  This is an analog compressor and is one that is quite large and bigger than most out there.  I…

The EMT 156 Compressor is an analog dynamic processor that can be used for both mastering and mixing.  I'm not sure what types of connections this unit has as the one that I have used was already rac…

The Alesis 3630 Compressor is a stereo compressor that is quite popular among home studio owners.  This piece of outboard gear is analog based and has both XLR and 1/4 inch connections.  In addition …

The Manley Langevin Stereo ELOP (Electro Optical Leveling Amp) is a dual channel compressor that has XLR connections in the back.  It is an analog piece of gear and will take up two spaces in a tradi…