KVR Audio

Cyprus · Post by **Cyprus** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:56 am

Hey dudes, what's the best compressor out on the market right now? Money is not really an option, I'm just looking for ideas. I'm sure this has been asked a million times but I couldn't find it in the 77 pages the search came up with.

Oh and obviously I'm talking about a software compressor.

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:01 am

Cyprus wrote:Hey dudes, what's the best compressor out on the market right now? Money is not really an option, I'm just looking for ideas. I'm sure this has been asked a million times but I couldn't find it in the 77 pages the search came up with.

Oh and obviously I'm talking about a software compressor.

What application would you use the compressor for 75% of the time?

Did you mean money is no problem or money isn't an option (thus you want a freeware compressor)

jdg · Post by **jdg** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:03 am

UAD-1 cards compressors.

any of those on there are gold

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:07 am

I use the waves compressors- both the C1 and the renaissance compressor (which is my favourite). Great interface and great sound

I tried the sonalksis one a bit and it sounded ok but the GUI didn't appeal to me.

in terms of freeware the Fish Fillets get a bit of use- not so much now i've got access to the waves ones. The Betabugs one knob compressor still gets a lot of attention from me coz its just so brutal

And if you're going to go out and try some demos, give Voxengo and the Golden compressor a bit of a run too. Heard great things but don't use them personally.

Cyprus · Post by **Cyprus** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 3:29 am

What application would you use the compressor for 75% of the time?

What application or what VST? I'm going to probably be using Sonar as my host. I use Cubase SX2 right now but I might to make a switch because nobody else I'll be working with has Cubase. So I'll prolly purchase the new one.

As far as VSTs I've got a bunch of free ones and Ultra Focus is my newest addition. But I also hope to use the compressor with my guitar, vocals, the whole bit.

kylen · Post by **kylen** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 4:31 am

Cyprus wrote:What application or what VST?

Oops - I didn't say that right !

What job are you going to have the compressor do most of the time?

Normal track compression for vocals, guitar, bass.
Taming Peaks.
Leveling.
Mastering.
Restoration.

brianbrian · Post by **brianbrian** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:16 am

Chunkware's Vanilla compressor is awesome! Get it while it is free. Other than that, UAD-1 compressors, Voxengo Crunchessor, and Blockfish are sonically excellent and very versatile.

Warmonger · Post by **Warmonger** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:33 am

Since no one has mentioned GCO-1, I'll go ahead and pimp it. And if you did mean for free, then Classic Compressor is a great alternative.

herodotus · Post by **herodotus** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:55 am

Mackies final mix plug (free with Tracktion) is really, really cool. It isn't just a compressor, of course.

brianbrian · Post by **brianbrian** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:37 am

WinRAR does a nice job too.

Cyprus · Post by **Cyprus** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:57 am

Normal track compression for vocals, guitar, bass.
Taming Peaks.
Leveling.
Mastering.
Restoration.

All of the above, are there compressors that work better than others for each?

MelodyMan · Post by **MelodyMan** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:01 am

Don't forget the free Buzzroom bundle. Excellent compressors and still free.

EnzymeX · Post by **EnzymeX** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:47 am

I use Voxengo Crunchessor for coloration on tracking and also on the main mix sometimes. I also use Kjaerhus Golden Compressor on tracks, and Gliss EQ, which has dynamic (compression) behavior built in.

I also demo'd Voxengo's Soniformer (mastering compressor) and was absolutely blown away, but so was my CPU. I am upgrading my DAW soon, and Soniformer will be one of the first purchases on my list once I can afford to run a 32 band compressor/equalizer hybrid on my system.

You mentioned that Sonar was your likely choice for a main host, and IMO both the Sonitus Compressors in the Producer edition are pretty cool as transparent compressors. In my case I have VST hosts in addition to Sonar, and the Sonitus Compressors are DX only, so I don't use them much lately. That may not be a concern for you if you only use DX hosts or are willing to deal with the issues that come with using DX to VST adaptors (occastional loss of GUI focus and a few extra steps to enable automation).

cptgone · Post by **cptgone** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:51 am

It's a matter of taste. Some will sound better depending on the application (like, compressing drums vs. compressing vocals). And you may prefer either transparent or coloured compression.

I use Voxengo Crunchessor on tracks, used to use the free Kjaerhus Classic Master Limiter for master limiting but now I got Voxengo Elephant. Master compressing: Voxengo Soniformer. Vocal channel: Voxengo Voxformer.
I love all these plugs.

The Fish Fillets stuff is great and free. So is the Kjaerhus Classic Compressor. And the Buzzroom plugs.

The Sonalksis stuff is said to be great but it's expensive. Just like Waves. And there's other Voxengo and Kjaerhus stuff that hasn't been mentioned, like the Kjaerhus Golden PeakPressor (for track compressing/limiting).

dvdvelde · Post by **dvdvelde** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 11:09 am

Most compressors do the same job, they gain the output - or +. Compressors are volume adjustors.
They are easy to program (single band compressors!)
and they all about do the same job. Changing volume or gaining...

My statement is , the main use is peak shaving and not overdue and fattique your mix or single tracks.
If you use the compressor for other reasons, you might consider to take a look at your EQ job!)
Dont skipp EQ just like that, it is so important to nail it with EQ first.

Best compressor?