Top 5 Best Software Compressors
Software compressors are the way of the future. Instead of spending a significant investment on a large compression unit with tedious setup, software compressors can be used as easily as any other software plug-in in your recording studio.
However, not all software compressors are made equally, that’s why we have put together a list of our 5 favorite compressor plugins on the market. Some have been around a while, and others have only recently hit the scene, however, each is fantastic in their own right and can sound great on any track!
UAD Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor
The UAD plug-in emulation of the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor/Compressor is one of the more famous compressor plug-ins on this list. The UAD myriad of plugins have always been known for just how good they are at emulating the original hardware units.
When UAD made an emulation of the famous EL8 Distressor, it quickly became a sought-after plugin for many recording artists and engineers alike. This plugin is simply too good at getting an aggressive, harsh tone on any instrument and really shines on percussion and high energy vocals.
The UAD 1176 compressor plugin is highly regarded as one of the best software emulations of a classic Universal Audio 1176 compressor. We know that the UAD plugins are great at emulating their intended subject, so clearly the UAD 1176 plugin will sound great!
With a multitude of professional uses, the UAD 1176 compressor is incredibly versatile, powerful, and has the ability to control dynamics while maintaining the original 1176 sound.
The FabFilter line of plugins are some of the best on the market today and their Pro C2 compressor is no different. Unlike the other compressors on this list, it is not an emulation plugin, meaning it’s not intended to sound like a famous piece of hardware.
Rather, the Pro C2 is aimed at one thing: true compression. It is often the compressor of choice when making detailed surgical edits or when mastering and trying to avoid drastic phase changes. The FabFilter Pro C2 is one of the best compressors for the job.
The Waves Master Buss Compressor is one of the more widely used compressor plugins for mastering. Often referred to as the “glue” of a mix, this compressor shines when it is used on stereo mixes with the purpose of controlling wildly different changes in amplitude. With a relatively cheap price tag, we encourage you to give it a shot and try it in your home studio!
The Softube Tube-tech Compressor is a fantastic emulation of a seriously legendary compression unit. Tube-Tech has been in the world of hardware signal processors for quite some time and their CL 2A compressor is one of the more famous compressors on the market.
However, it can be quite expensive to get your hands on the actual unit, luckily, you have softube here to help you out. This plugin provides a fantastic recreation of this compressor and its functionality, as well as some sweet tube saturation emulation to boot.
With saturation and compression all in one plugin, it is hard to beat!
When you’re looking for the right compressor plugin, try looking for both a classic recreation and a modern “true” compression style plugin as this will help you in a multitude of different mixing situations.
Whether you are trying to achieve a clean, balanced sound or looking to add some color to your sound, these compressor plugins will give you the right tools for the job.
