Top 10 Free Compressor Vst
No audio toolbox would be complete without a compressor. They are some of the most versatile pieces of gear with complex and simplistic functions alike.
Coloration, check…dynamic control, check…mix glue, check. Varied circuit designs in analog compressors make certain models better for one task than another and with the design of digital compressors, choosing the right tool for the job can become more difficult.
Plugins have been attempting to model their real-deal analog counterparts for years, but also offer some new innovations to the world of gain reduction. Check out these awesome plugins and listen to what a proper compressor can do for you.
FabFilter Pro C2
Best Free Vocal VST Plugins. It's well-known that dynamic sounds are much harder to mix – and the vocals are super dynamic. Luckily, there is no need to stress out every time you get to the mixer and start working on getting the “perfect vocals.” All you need to do is to know which free vocal mastering VST plugins to use. Home › Free VST Plugins & Instruments › 14 Free Compressor VST – Best Compressor VSTs 14 Free Compressor VST – Best Compressor VSTs Here are the best Free Compressor VST Plugins online that can be used with FL Studio, Reason, Ableton Live, and other VST supported software. Top 5 Free Best Compressor plug-in VST AU Source: Fish Fillets, FXPansion, Klanghelm, Vladgsound, Variety of Sound Previous Next The sound quality of free plug-ins has come a very long way in the past decade. Current Price: $179.00. Fabfilter products are always one of the best tools in the music plugin markets, and now, we have the Pro-C 2. Pro-C 2 is a high-quality compressor tool/plugin that can be used to do all sorts of audio signal processing, whether you need to balance a mix, a touch in the mastering bus, gluing layers of synths/drums/pads and all sort of compressing related tasks.
For those looking for a great “do everything” compressor, the FabFilter Pro C2 has exactly what you need and a ton more. This compressor manages to pack eight compression character styles, lookahead gain reduction, 4x oversampling, mid/side control, and the ability to affect each channel independently or linked as a stereo pair with the Stereo Link control into one of the most incredible interface designs plugins have seen.
The eight modes of the compressor allow the Pro C2 to add some coloration to your mixes. Version 2 adds five new modes: Vocal, Mastering, Bus, Punch, and Pumping to give you access to tailored responses to match what you are working on.
Mastering engineers will appreciate the new metering. The size and the accuracy of these meters have increased, and FabFilter adjusted the Pro C2 to comply with the EBU R128 loudness standard. Combine this with the 4x oversampling and GPU acceleration and you have one accurate plugin.
All of this functionality and versatility make this compressor a great choice for any engineer looking for a lot of features in one package. Check out the FabFilter Pro C2 for access to a large toolset within one beautiful plugin.
Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
There are several reasons engineers have opted to use a stereo compressor on their master bus. When mixing into a compressor, engineers are often looking for more “glue” to their mix or they are after a certain coloration. Check out our article on Mix Bus Compression for more information.
One of the most legendary examples is the compressor from the SSL 4000 G console’s master section. Thanks to SSL and Waves, this emulation can bring you the tone of those boards for vintage coloration and the “glue” effect of this legendary console. To build on its accuracy to the original, Waves added modeled analog hum from the SSL 4000 G for even more coloration abilities.
This plugin is typically used for master bus compression, but also shines when your goal is to tighten up drums or piano. If you need a way to add the glue and polish to your mixes, check out the Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor.
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A
Among all hardware compressors, there are a couple that stand out as studio legends. One of those legends is the Teletronix LA-2A. The LA-2A is an optical compressor with a tube output stage. Featuring slower attack and release times, and vibe to spare, the LA-2A has become known for its warmth and character that can be heard on countless records. Universal Audio, the current manufacturer of the reissue hardware, decided that rebuilding the legendary compressor wouldn’t be enough. As a part of their UAD plugins, they took it upon themselves to get all of the famous sounds modeled into their Teletronix LA-2A.
As an optical compressor, most of the common uses of 2As include instruments with fewer transients and vocals. Bass and vocals have been commonly treated with this style of compression, both for its smoother gain reduction and in the case of the LA-2A, for the warmth of the tube output stage.
The plugin offers three variations of the compressor. The LA2 has the slowest attack and release like many 1950s compressors, while the gray and silver models have medium-fast attack and release for a more typical response similar to the vintage LA-2As that have earned their legendary status. Just like the hardware, there aren’t many controls. Output gain and peak reduction controls are available as well as the ability to change metering and switch between limiting and compressing. If warm, tune-aided optical compression is what you are shooting for, but you’re short the $3,000 to buy the hardware, check this out. There’s got to be some reason it’s on so many records.
PSP Audioware VintageWarmer2
PSP Audioware created a multi-faceted set of plugins when they created the VintageWarmer2. Having three modes of operation and precise emulation of analog equipment, the VintageWarmer2 is a great compressor for mixing and mastering with tons of analog saturation available.
The first mode, called MicroWarmer aims features speed, release, drive, low, high, knee, and output controls. With the addition of the shelving EQ section, this mode can be used for tone shaping while offering a scaled-back, CPU-friendly compressor. The second mode is a direct successor to the original VintageWarmer. It aims to keep low latency while adding brick wall limiting, multi-band compression, frequency selection for the EQ shelves, and more release settings. The third mode, VintageWarmer2, features the FAT mode. This mode allows the plugin to double sample incoming audio for more an improved analog sound.
The plugin has become known for its characteristics when overloaded. PSP aimed to make the VintageWarmer2 exhibit tape like qualities when pushed to overloading. Because of this, the plugin is very useful for coloration, saturation, and of course, compression. For a good emulation of analog processing that can be added effectively to a mix or master, check out the VintageWarmer2.
Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Kotelnikov
For the engineers who want smooth compression that doesn’t sound too obvious, the TDR Kotelnikov is a good place to start. Not only is there an entirely free version, but there is also a lot of flexibility available here to tailor your compression characteristics to taste.
The controls allow for threshold, peak crest, soft knee, ratio, attack, and two release times. Most of the controls function just as they would on other compressors. The Peak Crest knob can be viewed as a blend control for what the plugin is reacting to. The higher the setting, the more the Kotelnikov reacts to RMS level, the lower the setting, the more it reacts to the peak level. The control can be set to allow for only peak or only RMS, but the ability to blend the two reactions together allows for smooth and configurable reduction. The Kotelnikov allows for high pass filtering as well as stereo sensitivity. This allows for more precise control over what is making your compressor react.
The plugin function well in both bus and individual track scenarios. The tone of this plugin allows the original timbre and tone of your material to shine through. With no form of hardware emulation present in the plugin, the TDR Kotelnikov is a new type of digital compressor looking to make a name for its clean, uncolored gluing. Rounding out its features with oversampling and 64-bit processing, the TDR Kotelnikov is worth looking into for your transparent compression needs.
iZotope Ozone 8 Dynamics
iZotope has made a name for itself in the world of mastering and audio restoration. With plugin suites like RX and Ozone, it is clear to see why. The tools provided in these suites are second to none for critical audio work. Within Ozone 8, the Dynamics plugin stands out for its precise control and many options.
Combining the functionality of a quality limiter with a quality compressor is the first thing that makes this plugin so great. Fine-tuning how your mixes and masters sound with this level of accuracy ensures that your finished audio will sound just as you intended. Since its main goal is to act as a mastering compressor, it features mid/side processing, advanced metering, and variable look-ahead times.
The detection filter feature gives even more configuration options over how the incoming signal will affect the compressor’s detection algorithms. Using high pass and tilt modes, the signal can be tuned to have a greater or lesser effect on the compression being used. Other useful features such as learn mode can set where the crossover points used for multiband mode are.
This compressor lends itself to those who need clean compression with lots of versatility. Pitcher vst plugin. Check this out when mastering as many of its features are geared towards polishing rather than coloring a mix.
Waves CLA-76
The Urei 1176 is one of the most popular hardware compressors in existence. It is capable of incredibly fast attack and release times due to its FET circuit, and infamously features “backward” attack and release potentiometers. Waves skipped no details and left those knobs exactly the way they were when designing this plugin.
The interface mirrors the controls of an analog 1176. The plugin allows for analog hum to be added at fifty or sixty cycles if desired. Depending on which revision mode you choose, you will have entirely different characters available in CLA-76. “Bluey” models the Blue Stripe revision which gives a little more edge to the sound due to hotter gain staging while “Blacky” models the 1176-LN model. Featuring less noise and smoother response, this mode gives a cleaner color to your tracks.
Due to its fast attack and release, this compressor can be useful for transient heavy material such as percussion. The punch that the CLA-76 adds to drums is great whenever you need big drum sounds. If you are after the sounds of the real deal Urei 1176, the Waves CLA-76 can get you started with presets from Chris Lord-Alge. If you have used the hardware before, you will feel right at home. Check out the legendary sounds of the CLA-76.
Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B
Another hardware emulation of a classic compressor. The Tube-Tech CL 1B is another great example of what a killer optical compressor can do for your tracks. Considered to be a “go-to” compressor for vocals of many genres, the CL 1B has demonstrated time and time again what smooth compression is great for. Softube did a painstaking recreation of the classic hardware and succeeded in maintaining its smooth and transparent tones.
The controls on the plugin mirror the hardware with a few small changes. In addition to gain, attack, release, threshold, and ratio controls, the plugin allows for parallel compression to be done from within the plugin. Save yourself an auxiliary track and use the knob to blend the perfect amount of compression into your mixes. On top of this, a sidechain low cut “switch” was added to the plugin for additional tweaking options.
This compressor has made itself known for its use with vocals, but many bassists have sworn by the CL 1B as well. It may be worth trying out on a master bus for the transparent and smooth tones it can yield. If a more transparent optical compression is what your mix needs, you won’t find much better than the CL 1B.
Klanghelm MJUC
Variable-mu compressors have been popular choices for bus compression for years. Hardware like the Fairchild 670 and the Manley Vari-Mu have become standards in high-end studios, and have graced many records with their smooth, colored tones. For those of us who cannot drop $30,000 on a Fairchild or even $4,400 for a Manley, Klanghelm has sought to help out.
The MJUC was designed to emulate the best of every variable-mu compressor Klanghelm could get their hands on. The result is a collection that reaches back to the 1950s in available sounds. Model Mk1 offers the most coloration, ranging into dense and thick textures. Model Mk2 looks to emulate designs from the 1960s. It adds four ratios to choose from as well as Density and IStage buttons for more color choices. The density switch adds a second vari-mu stage to reduce the dependence upon where you have your attack and release settings. Model Mk3 looks to be the most Hi-Fi and sounds similar to a 670 in the way that it adds punch.
The price of this plugin makes the desirable effect of variable-mu compression available to the masses. The MJUC’s versatility and inclusion of different levels of coloration make this a great plugin for any mix or master. For more information on variable-mu compressors, check out our article on Mix Bus Compression.
MeldaProduction MCompressor
Melda Production’s MCompressor is one of those plugins that surprises you as you use it. The feature set is very large, and the price tag is very small making complex issues much easier to handle for every engineer who faces them.
To start, the plugin features a transparent tone allowing for straightforward compression with no additional color. It features input/output gain, attack, release, RMS, threshold, and ratio controls as well as three knee modes with size adjustment. This section alone allows for many useful changes to make to your mixes and masters, but the MCompressor does not stop there. It adds mid/side processing, upsampling, a safety limiter, and automatic gain compensation for increased functionality.
The MCompressor can be linked to operate in stereo or unlinked for different compression of separate channels in your incoming signal. To make this plugin even more enjoyable to use, the entire UI can be edited to fit your style or to match your DAW. When transparency, a large list of features, and a small price tag are what your mix needs, Melda Production has your back with the MCompressor.
Conclusion: Whether you are new to engineering or you are a seasoned professional, compression can be one of the harder topics. Luckily, the options in sound quality, configurability, and features allow every engineer a toolkit to accomplish their goals. Whether mixing or mastering, compression becomes important for dynamics, color, and glue. These differences may seem small at first, but their impact on your mixes is noticeable.
If you’re looking to hear what top-notch compression can do for your mix, follow the link here for a free mastered sample of your song: https://www.sageaudio.com/register.php
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Compression is an effect that is used to balance the loudest and the quietest part of an audio signal. to put it in another perspective, It is an audio processing tool that is used to control the overall Dynamics of an audio signal or an audio portion.
To clear confusion, view the dynamic as the low (or the softest sound) and the high (or the loudest part) in an audio sample and view compression as the processing boss controlling the dynamic range of a given signal to achieve a consistent sound.
In this guide, I would be recommending the best 5 compressor vst/au/aax plugins to use in your audio or music production, this way you’ll be able to control the dynamic of your audio signal and also achieve greater control of your mix.
Let’s get on the ride 😉
(1.) The King
Current Price: $149.00 21.4Gb of Bonus Contents
The first compressor tool on our list is The King which is a dynamic enhanced multiband compressor plugin.
I guess you know a multiband compressor means processing an audio signal in two or more frequency bands. With that out of the way, let’s see some features of the king:
Compressor Bands: The King multiband compressor went a bit further by incorporating 5 EQ controls that allow you to alter the Low, Low Mid, Mid, Mid High, and the High, this way, you can customize an audio signal to soothe your need.
I should also mention you can adjust the threshold plus the makeup gain for each and every individual band.
Tip: Note that the threshold determines when to start compressing, so, I will generally steer clear of setting an individual threshold of every knob, most times, the master threshold of The King would suffice.
The Mix Knob: This is more of like soloing the effect being used, this way, you can compare it to the dry mix. Another great thing about the mix knob is that it can be used as a parallel compressor.
A handy Limiter: This would help to prevent clipping or prevent the audio material from going above the 0db mark.
Magic EQ: The magic equalization help in automatically cleansing a track, it features three different shapes & curves, the first one is for cleaning muddy-frequency, the second & third is for the master bus; this is useful if you want to clean up disorganized frequencies.
Upward and Downward Compression: These knobs are either reducing loud sounds over a certain threshold (Downward) or increasing the loudness of an audio signal over a certain threshold (Upward).
Input and Output Gain: The Input gain helps in setting the level going into the compression and the output gain helps in setting the level going out of the King Multiband compressor.
Bonus: As an added bonus, W.A production would give you access to 3 audio courses 7 video tutorials about compression, 5 Ableton Live templates, 6 FL Studio templates and over 700 of samples and Loops, over 100 preset patches and many others.
Key Features:
- 5 Compressor Bands
- 5 Band Make-Up Gain knobs
- Input/ Output Gain
- Upward & Downward Compression Knob
- Magic EQ with 3 different Shapes/ Curves and a built-in Limiter!
- Overall Plug-In Mix knob
- 21.4Gb of Bonus Contents
System Requirements:
- Mac ( OSX 10.7 and later [32 & 64-bit] ) Windows ( 7 and later [32 & 64-bit] )
- AU Vst Vst 3
The King Multiband Compressor Isn’t Recommended If…
- You Don’t Want a Multi-Purpose Compressor Tool
- You Need a Super Simple Compressor Tool
- You Are Not Interested in Free Samples & Loops, Preset Patches and Video Courses on Using a Compressor
- You Are Down to Your Last Cent and Need the Money for Other Things
- And…
The King Multiband Compressor Is Recommended If…
- You Want a Multi-Purpose Compressor Tool to Fix and Enhance Your Mixes
- You Are Interested in Free Samples & Loops, Preset Patches and Video Courses on Using a Compressor
- You Don’t Have the Tools/features Mentioned Above in Your Existing Plugins Library, and You Need Them Badly
- You Have the Budget
- Then…
(2.) Fabfilter Pro-C 2
Current Price: $179.00
Fabfilter products are always one of the best tools in the music plugin markets, and now, we have the Pro-C 2.
Pro-C 2 is a high-quality compressor tool/plugin that can be used to do all sorts of audio signal processing, whether you need to balance a mix, a touch in the mastering bus, gluing layers of synths/drums/pads and all sort of compressing related tasks.
The Fabfilter Pro-C 2 took it to the next level by featuring an auto-gain (it would automatically adjust the gain for you), an auto-release (no need of tinkering the release knobs, a side-chain triggering, a variable stereo linking, a mid/side processing and more features in just a single intuitive interface.
The award-winning compressor has fully redesigned the interface in the Pro-C 2 which are:
- An Animated Level/knee that Helps in Displaying When, Why and How the Compression Is Applied to Your Incoming Audio Signal.
- Level Meters – This Displays the Actual Peak and Loudness Values, Lastly
- Side-Chain Eq: Helps in Filtering Sounds the Way You Like.
Key Features:
- Animated Level Knee Displays and Accurate Peak/loudness Metering
- Side-Chain Eq Section, with Customizable Hp and Lp Filters
- Program-Dependent Attack and Release Curves
- Intelligent Auto Gain
- Super-Fast Attack Times
- Variable Stereo Linking and Mid/side Processing, with Mid-Only, Side-Only, M > S and S > M Processing
- Audition Triggering Option; Helping You to Hear What Parts of The audio Pro-C 2 Is Triggering and How Much Compression Is Taking Place
- Midi Learn
- Undo/redo and A/b Comparison
- And Many More
System Requirements:
- Mac ( OSX 10.5 and later [32 & 64-bit] ) Windows ( 7 and later [32 & 64-bit] )
- AU Vst Vst 2/3
Fabfilter Pro-C 2 Isn’t Recommended If…
- You Want a Super Simple Compressor Tool that Requires a Little Mouse Click
- You Don’t Want a Multi-Purpose Compressor Tool
- You Don’t Want/find Any of The Key Features Listed Above Useful
- You Are on a Tight Budget
- And…
Fabfilter Pro-C 2 Is Recommended If…
- You Want to Carefully Control the Audio Signal Using a Handy of Featured Tools in Pro-C 2
- You Don’t Have the Tools/features Mentioned Above in Your Existing Plugins Library, and You Need Them Badly
- You Have the Budget
- Then…
(3.) FireFly
Current Price: $15.00
Firefly is a simple compressor tool by Soundspot, and it not only the cheapest of all in this list but also a super low on CPU load plugin; plug, play, and no hassle.
The main focus of Firefly is the control of an audio transient and stereo image. Upcoming producers get the notion of compressor wrong most times, not every audio needs compression!
The transient helps to determine if compression is useful or not. If there are lots of random peaks, and you would love to tailor or unify the audio signal, then byusing Firefly Compressor, you would be able to optimize and enhance your track’s transients.
Another great feature of this super simple compressor is the support of a sidechain filter for compressing tracks, say you want to create a ducking effect or you want a Kick presence in a Drop (Chorus).
In addition to the aforementioned features, FireFly gives you a flexible and intuitive way of compressing whole bus tracks or even a master channel.
Key Features:
- Intuitive, Light and Easy to Use Interface
- Designed to Work Easily with Touch Controllers E.G Raven by Slate Media
- Detection Stage High Pass Sidechain-Filter and Stereo Imager
- Pre-Compression Transient Shaper
- Non-Linear Coloration Filter for Warmth
- Preset Manager to Save & Share Your Own Effects
- Low CPU
Top 10 Vst Plugins
System Requirements:
- Mac ( OSX 10.7 and later [32 & 64-bit] ) Windows ( 7 and later [32 & 64-bit] )
- AAX AU Vst Vst 2/3
FireFly Compressor Plugin isn’t Recommended If…
- You Don’t Want a Light and Super Simple Compressor Tool
- You Prefer a Multi-Purpose Compressor or A Multiband Compressor
- You Are Interested in An Expensive Compressor Plugin
FireFly Compressor Plugin is Recommended If…
Vst Compressor Free
- You Want a Simple Compressor Plugin that Isn’t Cpu Hungry and At the Same Time You Want a Good One that Works Fine
- You Aren’t a Fan of Multi-Purpose Compressors or You Don’t Want a Multiband Compressor
- You Are on A Budget
- Then…
(4.) Cyclone
Current Price: $15.00
This is a remarkable compressor plugin from the team behind Firefly, – SoundSpot.
One thing that I love about SoundSpot plugin is the simplicity they incorporate into their plugins, Cyclone is not only cheap but it can be used across the board from mixing through mastering, while also adding a non-distinguishable character to the sound. That said, let’s see some features of the king:
Intuitive UI: Cyclone interface is built with simplicity in mind, the controls are laid out from left to right which is similar to analog order most mix/mastering engineer would follow, this way you can speed your workflow.
Saturation: The saturation in Cyclone is a type of Soft Clipping, soft-clipping avoids the harshness by avoiding clipping and gently transitioning between the clipped and the unclipped audio signal.
In Cyclone, the saturation is dependent on the threshold and ratio of the compressor, I guess you rememberthe threshold determines when to start compressing and the Ration controls the amount of compression that will be applied to an audio signal, this is exactly how it works when using the Saturation in Cyclone, the harder the threshold & the ratio Knobs are pushed, the more pronounced the saturation effect will be.
There are some cases where you don’t need a saturation or soft-clipping effect, you can set the saturation parameters to Zero, and there will be no saturation applied.
Mid/Side Processing: The Mid is the mono, whenever you play a track through your stereo headphone, you are feeding each speaker identical sounds which results in the perception of one-channel sound in one sonic space between the speakers. Another way to think of the Mid, is to think of the sound coming from the center.
The Side (Stereo) reproduces sound into two audio channels giving you a more natural two-dimensional sound distribution. Cyclone compressor would help in altering the mid/side information, adding a wider sound, and gives you great control to correct any wonky frequencies.
Note: The Mid/Side features can easily damaged an audio track, use it only when necessary, most of the time, it isn’t needed.
Solo Channel: This helps in the monitoring of the left or right side channel while you are in the Stereo mode or even helps in monitoring the Mid/Side info individually when in Mid/Side mode.
Key Features:
- Saturation
- Mid/Side Processing
- Simple, Light and Easy To Use UI
- Solo Channel
- Channel Linking
System Requirements:
- Mac ( OSX 10.7 and later [32 & 64-bit] ) Windows ( 7 and later [32 & 64-bit] )
- AAX AU Vst Vst 3
Cyclone Compressor Plugin isn’t Recommended If…
- You Don’t Want a Light and Super Simple Compressor Tool
- You Prefer a Multi-Purpose Compressor or A Multiband Compressor
- You Are Interested in An Expensive Compressor Plugin
Cyclone Compressor Plugin is Recommended If…
- You Want a Simple Compressor Plugin that Isn’t Cpu Hungry and At the Same Time Has the Normal Compressor Tools (saturation, Mid/side Processing, and The Likes)
- You Aren’t a Fan of Multi-Purpose Compressors or You Don’t Want a Multiband Compressor
- You Are on A Budget
- Then…
(5.) GRIP Valve Drive
Current Price: $33.95
The Grip is an emulation of the superb german vintage tubes of the 1960s and a modern Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) workhorse, the combination of this is a hybrid and powerful dynamic processor with a soothing distinct character.
GRIP Valve Driver is built to be a Vintage compressor with a warm and colorful tone of the valve tube circuit, and this is fully optional, you can either use the Valve Drive option which would enhance the color of the compression or without the Valve Drive to have a clean as possible compressor on your audio signal.
The Valve Drive effects feature a different taste of drive, you can either use Triode which will enhance the sound by adding even harmonics and warmth and the Pentode mode helps in adding more of odd harmonics for a crunchy or crispy sound.
Key Features:
- Emulation of The Superb German Vintage Tubes
- Triode and Pentode Drive Mode
- Intuitive Design and Workflow
- Low CPU Usage
- Intuitive Design and Workflow
- VCA Compressor Model
- Versatile use by Mix Control for Valve Drive and Compressor
System Requirements:
- Mac ( OSX 10.6 and later [32 & 64-bit] ) Windows ( XP SP2 and later [32 & 64-bit] )
- AU Vst
GRIP Valve Drive isn’t Recommended If…
- You Don’t Want a Light and Super Simple Compressor Tool
- You Prefer a Multi-Purpose Compressor or A Multiband Compressor
- You Don’t Want a Vintage Type of Compressor (this Can Be Switched Off/on)
- You Are Interested in An Expensive Compressor Plugin
GRIP Valve Drive is Recommended If…
- You Want a Simple Compressor Plugin that Isn’t Cpu Hungry
- You Love the Coloration of Vintage Compressors
- You Aren’t a Fan of Multi-Purpose Compressors or You Don’t Want a Multiband Compressor
- You Are on A Budget
- Then…