KVR Audio

Futuremotion · Post by **Futuremotion** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:32 am

I can't resist downloading and buying every analog emulated compression plugin that exists on the internet. It's a character flaw.

Some are terrible, others are amazing.

Softube, Slate Digital, and Black Rooster come to mind as some of the best.

I wanted to ask you all what your favorite NON-CLEAN compressors are. Compressors that add that special mojo, distort the input in unusual ways, and overall provide a lot of color to the sound.

Would love to hear some recommendations!

Rickskii · Post by **Rickskii** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 5:47 am

CFA Sound Grip.
Pretty cheap and full of character. Not using at present due to lack of AS native.

standalone · Post by **standalone** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:20 am

Very cheap during sales, I use it all the time:
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... xla-3.html

And this one too:
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... d_u17.html

imrae · Post by **imrae** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:48 am

Fuse VCL-373. It doesn't look much, but magic on vocals and speech.

Vortifex · Post by **Vortifex** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:57 am

briefcasemanx · Post by **briefcasemanx** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 9:57 am

Haven't had access to UAD stuff for awhile, and I really liked their compressors, but for non-UAD stuff:
-MJUC (the KING, when it works, only works on some material though)
-some Acustica stuff (mostly 3rd party Nebula libraries like TimP)
-Overloud stuff (VERY underrated, probably because it's mega expensive, thus few buy it)
-NEOLD or Fuse stuff (same guy)

ChristopherWD · Post by **ChristopherWD** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 10:27 am

CFA Sound GRIP has a nice character because of its valve drive. It can get quite coloured since it won't just saturate, but also change the tone. I like it for making things more mid-forward.

IK gave away Comprexxor not so long ago and I bought that around release date. It can do clean well, has a lot of options but then you can just slam it into brutal distortion easily.

If you're a REAPER user, some of the js plugins are also quite good for this.

Unaspected · Post by **Unaspected** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 10:32 am

More Fuse Audio Labs:

My favourite has to be the VCL-864U. It adds nicely proportionate weight and can be pushed hard. Instantly fixes pianos in a mix - which is invaluable. It's one of those plugins that feels like a secret weapon.

The VCL-25A gets an honourable mention as a lovely levelling amp. Perfect for vocals and introducing musical movement.

e@rs · Post by **e@rs** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 11:05 am

TrackComp (DMG mode aside), ShapeShifter, Crunchessor, Omnipressor.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:21 pm

Still a big fan of PSP VW2 and U-he Presswerk

Halma · Post by **Halma** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:55 pm

I am not sure if they are the best but I think they are at least pretty good:

IKM‘s Precision Comp Limiter, United Plugins Royal Compressor and Waves dbx 160.

FapFilter · Post by **FapFilter** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 1:31 pm

OTT

planet_b · Post by **planet_b** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:46 pm

Kush Novatron

DMG68 · Post by **DMG68** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:56 pm

Kush Silika and AR-1

heyheycnv · Post by **heyheycnv** » Fri Oct 21, 2022 4:19 pm

PSP FETpressor. I use this a lot.

Best of the best colored/character compressors