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[jim1960]

Compressors

The primary purpose of an audio compressor is to reduce the dynamic range of a track or a full mix in order to create a more consistent and/or balanced audio level throughout the track. “Dynamic range” is the distance from the quietest to the loudest parts of a track or song.

Compressors are controlled through changing various parameters and, depending on the compressor you’re using, you may have more or less control over those parameters:

• Threshold – this sets the level at which the compressor begins to act. Any part of the signal above the threshold will be affected by the compressor.
• Ratio – often represented as 2:1, 4:1, etc., ratio determines the amount of gain reduction applied to the audio signal above the threshold. The higher the ratio, the more intense the compression.
• Attack – this determines how fast the compressor will respond to signals above the threshold.
• Release – this determines how quickly the compressor stops acting on a signal once it falls below the threshold.
• Makeup Gain – this is a way to compensate for the reduction in volume caused by compression. It allows you to bring the overall volume of the track back up after it has been reduced by compression.

Click here for an interactive link that provides a visual interpretation of how compression parameters effect a signal.

Compression brings softer elements of a track forward while controlling the louder elements. This is important from the listeners’ standpoint because it creates a comfortable playback level and reduces the need for the listener to ride the volume knob.

Compression also has the ability to increase sustain by reducing a sound’s initial attack and extending its decay.

Additionally, compressors can be used to add character and colorization to a track. Some compressors are very transparent but others will introduce harmonic distortion and saturation.


Types of Compressors

Optical compressors – these use light-sensitive components and tend to be soft-knee (gentle), smooth, and transparent. They will typically smooth out sound in a pleasant way. Optical compressors are a good choice when a delicate touch is desired.
The LA2A is an example of an iconic optical compressor.

VCA compressors – because of their wide range of features, Voltage-Controlled-Amplifier compressors are very versatile. They give the user control over just about every parameter allowing them to be slow and smooth or very fast. They can tame instruments or make instruments sound punchy and impactful.
The SSL G Bus is an example of an iconic VCA compressor.

FET compressors – Field-Effect-Transistor compressors are lightning fast. They’re excellent for preserving the initial impact of a voice or instrument. They’re a good choice when you want to impart warmth, saturation, and harmonics to a track or inject some liveliness or coloration onto a track or mix.
The 1176 is an example of an iconic FET compressor.

Tube compressors – if harmonic distortion is what you’re after, tube compressors will deliver that for you. Tube compressors will add saturation and their natural distortion is synonymous with a vintage “analog” feel.
The Fairchild 670 is an example of an iconic tube compressor.

Variable Mu compressors – a specific type of tube compressor that deserves its own category. Mu is a Greek letter whose symbol represents “gain” in the audio world. Variable Mu compressors will increase the compression ratio as the signal gets louder. These compressors are characterized by slower attack times and being full of character in how they handle the transients.
The Gates Sta-Level is an example of an iconic variable-mu compressor.


Effective use of compression can take a song to the next level. If you’re in the market for an outboard compressor, here are videos for 100+ compressors for you to learn about and explore. If you find one that peaks your interest, there may be other videos on YouTube to watch.

When dealing with so many compressors, many of which I have no familiarity, it would be easy to miscategorize some. If you come across one that belongs in a different section, send me a private message and I’ll correct my error.

NOTE: If there's an omitted compressor you feel should be included, please send me a link to a video in a private message. NOT just the name of the unit, include a video.

[jim1960]

Optical Compressors

ART Pro-VLA II 2-channel Opto Tube Leveling Amplifier



Audioscape D3A



Audioscape Opto



Audioscape V3A



Buzz Audio SOC-20



Buzz Audio Velox-DC & Velox-IC



Golden Age Project Comp-3A Vintage Style Optical Compressor



Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Vintage-style Optical Compressor



Hendyamps Pollock



Heritage Audio TUBESESSOR Optical Tube Compressor

[jim1960]

Optical Compressors cont'd 2

IGS Audio One Leveling Amplifier Optical Compressor



Klark Teknik 2A-KT Optical Tube Leveling Amplifier



Lindell Audio LiN2A Vintage Leveling Amplifier



Sebatron SMAC



Warm Audio WA-1B Tube Optical Compressor



Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Opto Compressor




Optical/VCA Compressors

Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor





Optical/FET Compressors

Black Lion Audio B172A

[jim1960]

VCA Compressors

API 527



Audioscape 260VU



Audioscape Buss Compressor



Bettermaker Mastering Compressor



Bettermaker Stereo Bus Compressor



Chameleon Labs 7721



Dangerous Music COMPRESSOR Stereo Bus



Dramastic Audio Obsidian Stereo VCA Compressor



elysia xpressor NEO Qube 500



elysia xpressor NEO

[jim1960]

VCA Compressors cont'd 2

IGS Audio Multicore Multiband Compressor



IGS Audio S-Type 500 Series VU Compressor



Kush Tweaker



Overstayer Stereo Voltage Control Stereo VCA Compressor



Rockruepel sidechain.one VCA Compressor



SSL Bus+ Next-Generation Stereo Bus Compressor



Tegeler Audio Creme Bus Compressor and Mastering Equalizer



Tegeler Audio Crème RC



Tegeler Audio Magnetismus 2 VCA Compressor



Vertigo Sound VSC-3 VCA Compressor



Warm Audio BUS-COMP Stereo Bus Compressor

[jim1960]

FET Compressors

Airfield Audio Liminator 2



API 2500+



Audioscape 76A



Audioscape 76D



Audioscape 76F



Audioscape AS78



Audioscape D-Comp



BAE 10DC



Black Lion Audio Bluey 500



Black Lion Audio Bluey



Black Lion Audio Seventeen FET 500



Buzz Audio DBC-20

[jim1960]

FET Compressors cont'd 2

Chandler EMI TG12413 Zener Limiter



Chandler Germanium Compressor



Chandler Limited Little Devil



Chandler Limited RS124



Drawmer 1970 Dual FET Compressor



Drawmer 1973 Stereo 3-Band FET Compressor



Drawmer 1978 Stereo FET Compressor



Drawmer DL251



Drawmer DL441



Elysia Alpha Two-Channel Mastering Compressor



Elysia Mpressor



Empirical Labs Distressor EL8



Empirical Labs UBK EL7 Fatso Stereo Compressor

[jim1960]

FET Compressors cont'd 3

Fredenstein V.A.S. Desktop FET Compressor



Golden Age Project COMP-3A Jr Compressor



Golden Age Project COMP-3A



GOLY CrosscOMPressionEQ Stereo Processing Unit



GOLY Stem Mix and Compression Matrix



Gyraf Audio G24



Heritage Audio Successor Master Bus Compressor



IGS Audio V8 Dual Mono Compressor



IGS Audio Volfram Limiter Stereo FET Compressor



IGS Audio Zen Stereo Compressor



Klark Teknik 1176-KT Classic FET-style Compressor
NOTE: I don't see very many negative reviews but this piece had two.



Lindell Audio LiN 76 FET Compressor/Limiting Amplifier

[jim1960]

FET Compressors cont'd 4

Little Labs LL2A Compressor/Limiter



Looptrotter Audio Emperor Limiter Dynamic Processor



Looptrotter Audio SA2RATE 2 Saturation Module



Maag Audio Magnum-K Single Channel Compressor



Neve 33609/N Stereo Compressor



Overstayer M-A-S 2-Channel Harmonics Processor



Purple Audio MC77 FET Compressor



Q2 Audio Compex F760X-RS Stereo Compressor



Rupert Neve Designs 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor



Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor



Serpent Audio Splice MkII SA-76 FET Compressor



Smart Research C1 Compressor Stereo Compressor

[jim1960]

FET Compressors cont'd 5

Smart Research C2 Stereo Compressor



Smart Research C2M Stereo Compressor



Spectra 1964 Model 610 Complimiter



Spectra 1964 Model C610 Complimiter



Spectra 1964 Model V610 Complimiter



Standard Audio Level-Or Mk2 Dual JFET Limiter



Tierra Audio Boreal FET Compressor



TK Audio BC1THD Stereo Bus Compressor



UK Sound 176 Mono Compressor



Universal Audio 1176 LN Classic Limiting Amplifier



Vintech 609CA Dual Compressor/Limiter



Warm Audio WA76 Discrete FET Compressor

[jim1960]

Tube Compressors

A Designs Audio HM2



API Select T12



API Select T25



Chandler Limited RS660



Drawmer 1968 MK2 Two-Channel Tube Compressor



Electric & Company EC5B Tube Limiter Compressor



Fairchild 670 2-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor

[jim1960]

Tube Compressors cont'd 2

Hazelrigg Industries VNE Single-Channel All-Tube PWM Compressor



Heritage Audio Herchild 660 Tube Compressor



Heritage Audio Herchild 670 Stereo Tube Compressor



Looptrotter Audio Monster Compressor 2



Manley ELOP+ Stereo Limiter Compressor



Manley Nu Mu Stereo Limiter Compressor



Manley SLAM! Stereo Limiter and Mic Preamp



Millennia TCL-2 Stereo Compressor/Limiter

[jim1960]

Tube Compressors cont'd 3

Retro Instruments Revolver Dual-Channel Tube Compressor



Retro Instruments Sta-Level Tube Compressor



SPL Iron v2 Mastering Compressor



Summit Audio DCL-200 Tube/Solid State Compressor



Summit Audio TLA-100A Tube Leveling Amplifier



Summit Audio TLA-50 Tube Leveling Amplifier



Thermionic Culture Phoenix Mastering Plus Tube Compressor



Tube-Tech CL 1B Optical Tube Compressor



Tube-Tech SMC 2B



UnderToneAudio UnFairchild 670M II

[jim1960]

Variable Mu Compressors

Audioscape ASA-6A



Audioscape V-Comp



Audioscape V-Comp+ 6386 Edition



Gainlab Audio Dictator Dual Pentode Vari-μ Compressor



Gainlab Audio Dictator Dual-Mono Dual Pentode Vari-Mu Compressor



Gyraf G22 Dual Stero Vari-Mu Compressor



IGS Audio Tubecore Mastering Vari-Mu Compressor



Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter/Compressor



Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter/Compressor - Mastering Version

[jim1960]

Variable Mu Compressors cont'd

Retro Instruments 176 Tube Limiting Amplifier



Rockruepel comp.two Vari-Mu Tube Compressor



Tegeler Audio Schwerkraftmaschine Compressor



Tegeler Audio VTC Vari Tube Compressor



Tierra Audio Gravity VCA Bus Compressor



TK Audio T-Komp Vari-Mu Compressor