Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor

A highly versatile mojo machine, capable of replacing multiple plug-ins in a chain – EQ, distortion, transient designer, you name it – the Germanium Compressor is so much more than gain reduction. Engineered with an ear for music before mathematics, this is a trusty companion for producers, recording engineers, and creative musicians of all kinds.

This is a meticulous model of the Chandler Limited hardware, tested in Softube's lab to ensure it performs like the hardware does, for the same excellent sound quality and inspiring vibe.

The design of the Germanium Compressor was a personal labour of love. I wanted to create a compressor that was both flexible and musical. The Germanium Compressor needed to cover a lot of ground, however, be an instrument in its own right, by which an engineer could tune or play the compressor to create sonically in an artistic way. As the designer of the Germanium Compressor, I feel Softube's plug-in captures the essence of my intention and with added features takes it into new territory.

Wade Goeke - Founder and Chief Designer, Chandler Limited

The Germanium compressor adds a 3rd dimension to anything I put it on. It's incredibly flexible and really adds great texture to drums and bass.

Dave Schiffman - Producer/Mixer/Engineer (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, PUP, The Strumbellas, Jimmy Eat World, Vampire Weekend)

Music first

Everything in the Germanium Compressor is designed with an ear for music first. Ratios, knee settings, and more, are all fine-tuned for use in the real world.

Colorful character

The FET gain reduction unit allows for delicious distortion and color. Control the harmonics with a choice of clean or dirty compression.

Germanium, Silicon, Zener

Multiple different diode combinations allow for a ton of styles and options.

The Germaniums are my main stereo bus compressor. There's a unique sound about them that I love. I was impressed by how closely Softube was able to match exactly that sound.

Michael Brauer - Mix Engineer (7x Grammy Awards, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, John Mayer, Coldplay)

Unique character

The Germanium Compressor's unique character comes from a blend of several innovative approaches. The ratio settings are tuned by ear rather than arithmetic. The dial takes you from less to more rather than fixing on especially precise numerical values. And what does it matter as long as it sounds fantastic? Knee settings are similarly artistic, named as they are after the different combinations of diodes which achieve each color of curve.

Clean or dirrrty?

With a FET gain reduction element, the Germanium is capable of fast and heavily-saturating compression. So there's a choice of clean or dirty compression, toggling between modes which compensate to varying degrees for the harmonic excitement naturally brought about by the unit. It's never transparent, but you have a lot of control over Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in this compressor.

And every track this thing touches will benefit from the drive and feedback on output – this is the real secret sauce. A gain circuit which can gently caress a signal as easily as it can sizzle and sear it into submission.

Punchy, creamy... pick your flavor

You also have control over the speed of operation – the attack and release times can be combined to extremely musical effect. Ease off on the attack and the Germanium Compressor becomes a punchy powerhouse for drums. Slow down the release and creamy, smooth tones can be introduced to vocals or bass. Acoustic guitar can be brightened and tightened, or rock axe heated and seated in a dense mix.

Added fun and features

Using the Germanium in software means you can take advantage of features that are exclusive to the plug-in version: Mid/Side Processing and External Sidechain allow you to make better-sounding mixes than ever before. All the character, the musicality, the fun of the original hardware Germanium Compressor from Chandler Limited is right here.

Softube & Chandler: recipe to rock

You can't rush perfection. If any sentiment captures the spirit of our relationship with Chandler Limited, that's it. Take two companies known for perfectionism, add in some beers, and bake for a decade. We invite you to take a look at the Zener-Bender and everything else we've been cooking up.

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