It offers multiple compression types including VCA, FET, and optical. The reason we’re going with Comper here is because of how versatile it is. It’s hard to break the best free category into just one selection. Best 1176-style compressor plugin: IK Multimedia T-RackS Black 76 You even get included presets from Chris Lord-Alge, one of the most accomplished mix engineers of all time and an avid SSL user. This particular plugin was created in direct partnership with Solid State Logic, meaning this isn’t just an approximation – it’s the real deal. It’s easy to dial in and even has a mix control for easy parallel compression techniques. It’s renowned for how well it glues a bus together, providing the perfect finishing touch on any track grouping or master section. It accurately models two of the elements that make the hardware so great in modeling the IC input and dual VCA gain-reduction amplifier sections of the circuit. This option from Waves Audio is based on a favorite from the 4000 G console. And make no mistake, for bus work this is far and away one of the best compressor plugin choices. For a while the issue was how expensive they are, meaning not everyone could have access to their great sound. They’re renowned for having very fast time constants and imparting a clean sound to the source signal. SSL compressors changed the game when they were released.

Best SSL-style compressor plugin: Waves Audio SSL G-Master Buss Compressor If you’re looking to add one of the best compressor plugins to your arsenal, you can’t go wrong with the Pro C-2. It works in mono or stereo and even supports MIDI learn. It’s a powerful, versatile processor that supports all plugin formats. But don’t worry, FabFilter has a great knowledge base to get you going. There’s a lot to unpack with the Pro-C 2’s features, so it might take you a bit longer to expertly factor it into your workflow. The meters have multiples ways to view them, ensuring you have your levels right always. And with no latency, 64-bit processing you don’t have to worry about using it during tracking. It has an external side chain as well as high and low-pass filters for cutting out what you don’t want.

The attack and release time constants are program-dependent, but the GUI provides control over them for even further fine-tuning. Building on their popular Pro-C first generation, you get three different and equally useful compression styles in the second iteration.

There are times where you want a compressor that adds flavor, but just as often you’ll find yourself reaching for a model that’s designed to be clean.

Slate digital support for mono