Go-to track compressor?

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I discovered yesterday that my beloved Focusrite Red 3 compressor renders at different levels offline than it plays in real-time and that, when pushed hard, the difference can be significant. It is therefore unusable.

What compressor would people recommend as a go-to? I use a lot of orchestral instruments, so need a lot of range and potentially very low thresholds. It also needs to be light on CPU so it can be used on almost every track.

Thanks for the help!

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DMG TrackComp

Klanghelm DC8C

Can't really go wrong with either of those two.

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Vortifex wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp

Klanghelm DC8C

Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
+1 ...also in that order for me.
“In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded.”

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Vortifex wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp

Klanghelm DC8C

Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
DC8C3 is a champ, I’ve been using it a lot more lately.

My go-to most of the time is Blue Cat’s Dynamics, especially for more surgical duties.

Kotelnikov GE is also excellent.

All 3 of these compressors cover my needs plenty well enough.

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The 3 Arturia compressors, i don't see it mentioned enough. And of course, the glue.

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One of my favorites is still Novatron by Kush. Hard to make that thing sound bad.

DMG's TrackComp offers insane value.

Other stuff: Fabfilter's Pro-C, Arousor from Empirical Labs, AR-1 from Kush, any of the UAD comps are excellent, Mu from Pulsar, the Fuse Audio compressors...there's tons of great stuff out there.

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In the spirit, I'll answer what I actually use the most: McDSP 6050 (see also 6030 and 6060).
My go-tos are the LA-2A and 3A, the varimu (mootube), and the overeasy DBX.
CPU is 0%, I can run a million instances. I don't think it runs on CPU, just hopes and dreams.

Option #2 if I had to pick only one thing would be the Scheps Omni for the 3 comps (but I'd run out of CPU if used everywhere). Realistically I end up putting BX_opto on a lot of things (very low CPU, super easy to dial in, works 80% of the time), and for buses I keep leaning on TB Bus Compressor for the partial stereo link (Kotelnikov does this too, but at higher CPU).

Other than that (for tracks and buses), I can pretty much give back all my other comps and never miss them, except for the stuff I use on the master.

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Waves eMo D5 Dynamics - lots of options, low CPU zero latency

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Voxengo Marquis
Pigments - Diva - Tal U-No-LX - Tal Sampler

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Pingafuego wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 2:22 am Waves eMo D5 Dynamics - lots of options, low CPU zero latency
How would you describe the compressor's character?

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For workflow convenience I normally use Logic's incuded plugins. Either that, or making primary eq & comp moves with Wavearts' Trackplug. I do also use both of the Klanghelm comps.

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Reaching for Pro-C2 / Glue / Kotelnikov.

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I need to cut back my "go-to box", trying out too many at the moment... But for OP's application I'd say DC8C. Don't forget to use the "styles" presets, it's easier than adjusting the shape, RMS and programme-dependence.

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TDR Feedback Compressor v1.
Thrillseeker LA and VBL
King Tao KT-C
Klanghelm DC1A3, DC8C3 and MJUC Jr
Marc O. Hornplans MC ONE Free
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Vortifex wrote: Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:24 pm DMG TrackComp

Klanghelm DC8C

Can't really go wrong with either of those two.
Bought TrackComp recently after being rather sceptical for a while (don't like horizontal faders), but now I love it and I use it all over the place. With the new beta version it's now seven or eight compressor models for 80 bucks - great value for money.

DC8C is dirt cheap and super flexible, but TrackComp is just so much easier and faster to use...

TB_Compressor from the Toneboosters TrackEssential bundle is also a great track comp, I still use it here and there.

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