What's the Best Compressor for tracks? Especially Vocals but

[fred2112]

i like rencompressor (waves) for vocal

[jones-y]

Another vote for blockfish. I got good results with the Sonalksis sv-315 when I demo'ed it.

[Coolredguitar]

I also had good results with the Sonalksis compressor demo but didnt purchase it as it was alittle on the high price side and already have great compressors from Kjaerhus and Voxengo that give great results also.

[3*s]

Kjaerhus GAC, it's the best compressor I've used to date. It has 5 different compressor models in 1, vintage, optometric, 2 clean models, and a pumper. It can handle short attack and release times very well, there's much less distortion than what you'd find on a run of the mill compressor plug.

[PeterL]

I also recommend GAC-1. Although it's more than a compressor, it's a swiss army knife for treating any kind of sound.
Don't be too impressed by the presets, read the manual instead for what this plugin can do.
Blockfish as freeware is also OK.

[Frippertronix]

I also recommend GAC-1. Although it's more than a compressor, it's a swiss army knife for treating any kind of sound.
Don't be too impressed by the presets, read the manual instead for what this plugin can do.
Blockfish as freeware is also OK.

I like the presets, too.

He's set it up to work in so many configurations---it's really got amazing potential.

[frank001]

Thanks for everyone's help! I tested out the Sonalksis Comp and like how it sounds. I also liked the GAC-1 and Blockfish but not Voxformer as much. I'm inching towards getting Sonalksis's Comp, but I'll have to see how my finances are in the next couple months.

While I'm at it, any thoughts on the best reverb plug?

[multree]

While I'm at it, any thoughts on the best reverb plug?

for Room Reverb

Princeton Digital Stereo Room

[MickGael]

An unconventional - but fantastically handy choice for taming really wild vocals - is Compadre.

Though optimized for killer in-your-face drum compression, it can be just what you need when you need to hammer-down a vocal to make it fit in a dense mix.

[jsd]

another vote for the digitalfishphones plugs here. i use blockfish on just about everything, and endorphin on the rest.

[bobby yarrow]

At the risk of blathering on and on about GAC-1, I really have found it pleasing, especially in conjunction with the UAD LA2A, on vocals. I keep putting on the vocal buss, for a little extra lift, and I keep being impressed.

[DevonB]

While I'm at it, any thoughts on the best reverb plug?

for Room Reverb

Princeton Digital Stereo Room

I second that one. Stunning. You can read my review of it at the link in my signature.

Devon

[AKJ]

crunchessor (very easy to set up and very versatile) or grancomp/grancopm3 (from the free buzzcomp bundle). sometimes, for that special sound, blockfish

akj