Pro Audio Review March 2012 Volume 18 Issue 3 Article Bass Production Plugins
This article lists free compressor VST plugins. For more categories, render to Complimentary VST Plugins.
A dynamic range compressor is an essential mixing tool and a core part of every digital audio workstation. Owning a loftier-quality compressor plugin is equally important as having a decent understanding of how compressors work. Whereas achieving the latter volition take some exercise, we tin can help with the get-go office of that sentence.
Below is our list of the best compressor VST plugins that you can download for free. We included several unlike types of compressor plugins suitable for treatment diverse tasks – from song compression and drum saturation to audio mastering.
Best Complimentary Compressor Plugins (2022 Update)
These are the all-time freeware compressor VST Plugins:
- TDR Kotelnikov
- DC1A
- Molot
- TDR Molotok
- TLS 1295 LEA
- DCAM FreeComp
- Condom Compressor
- RoughRider3
- Leveling Tool
- ReaComp
- MCompressor
- Frontier
- Airwindows Compressors
Scroll down for more info well-nigh each dynamic range compressor.
TDR Kotelnikov
TDR Kotelnikov is the best costless compressor plugin for audio mastering. Developed by the DSP experts at Tokyo Dawn Labs, this plugin delivers transparent dynamic range compression suitable for use on the master bus. TDR Kotelnikov is a must-take compressor VST plugin for your mixing and mastering arsenal. It is ane of the tiptop picks in our free music product software commodity.
The plugin features an oversampled bespeak path with a fast even so entirely transparent compression grapheme. It is the blazon of plugin that can dramatically reduce the dynamic range while preserving the tone and the natural "punch" of the incoming audio signal. TDR Kotelnikov doesn't attempt to emulate the non-linear behavior of analog compressors. This compressor plugin is proudly digital, and it sounds spotlessly clean.
TDR Kotelnikov's dual Release control for peak and RMS compression is a unique characteristic that we oasis't seen in other freeware compressors. The plugin also features a sidechain high-pass filter, stereo linking capabilities, and latency compensation. Users with loftier-resolution monitors will appreciate TDR Kotelnikov's resizable user interface.
It's worth noting that the developers are offer a paid version of the plugin for users who demand a more avant-garde feature fix. TDR Kotelnikov GE (Gentleman's Edition) supports equal loudness workflows, frequency-dependent ratio, and several other add-on features.
More info: TDR Kotelnikov
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DC1A (and MJUC jr.)
DC1A past Klanghelm is my favorite freeware compressor plugin for use on private tracks. The developer describes it as an "effortless character comp," and every bit of that statement is valid. DC1A is effortless to use, and it has a pleasant analog-like compression character.
The plugin borrows the compression algorithm from Klanghelm's more complex DC8C compressor result. DC1A takes the "Punch" pinch mode from its bigger brother and makes it work in a streamlined dual-control form factor.
With but two control parameters (input proceeds and output volume) to worry about, DC1A is the perfect compressor VST plugin for beginner music producers. That said, avant-garde mixing engineers tin can also accept advantage of the plugin'south blazing-fast workflow and excellent pinch characteristics.
The input knob boosts the gain of the incoming audio signal and determines how much dynamic compression will exist applied. The output knob adjusts the volume of the compressed audio indicate. Additional options similar parallel compression and dual-mono processing are available from the toolbar located at the bottom of the user interface.
If y'all like DC1A's streamlined grade cistron, be sure to check out Klanghelm'south other freeware compressor plugin chosen MJUC jr. Information technology is a variable-mu compressor blueprint with a vintage-style analog sound.
More info: DC1A
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Molot
Molot is my favorite grapheme compressor plugin. It intentionally colors the audio signal on the input, so it shouldn't be your plugin of choice when transparent compression is required. That said, Molot is the way to go if you want to add together some dust and a touch of analog compression flavor to your mix.
The plugin's GUI looks like a gadget that came directly from a Soviet nuclear submarine. Quite frankly, the looks should requite you lot a good idea of what Molot can practice to the candy sound signal if pushed to more than farthermost settings.
On the other paw, Molot is incredibly versatile. Information technology does heavy compression uncommonly well, but it can also piece of work as a more subtle saturation tool on the master charabanc.
Be sure to read the user manual that comes with Molot. It goes into item to explain the plugin's unique behavior and features. One time you lot fully grasp Molot's controls, it will get clear how creative you can go with this little animate being of a compressor.
More info: Molot
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TDR Molotok
No, yous're not drunk, and you aren't experiencing double vision. There are, indeed, ii free compressors plugins called Molot. More precisely, the second ane is called TDR Molotok, and it'southward the new version of the original Molot.
The original Molot and its younger counterpart are and then good that we simply had to include both on the list. What the new TDR Molotok brings to the table are a massively improved interface and numerous workflow enhancements. Information technology features a preset director, a resizable GUI, a bypass switch, and more.
On the other hand, it lacks some features of the original Molot. For example, it doesn't include a limiter, and the mid-color sections were removed. These features, and many more, are available in the paid TDR Molot GE plugin by Tokyo Dawn Records.
As you lot can see, the matter of choosing betwixt Molot and TDR Molotok comes downwardly to two things. Information technology depends on which interface you prefer and whether or not you need the advanced features from the original release.
More info: TDR Molotok
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TLS 1295 LEA
TLS 1295 LEA is a freeware compressor plugin inspired by the LA-2A limiting amplifier. Developed by Can Brook Tales, the result was recently updated with a 64-bit VST plugin version for Windows.
You tin can utilize TLS 1295 LEA to shrink the drum charabanc or individual drum channels. It too works well on vocals. Although the plugin borrows a lot of its core functionality from the original LA-2A, the developer added a host of new features and workflow enhancements.
TLS 1295 LEA lets the user fine-tune the attack time and the time abiding, making the compressor capable of processing a wide range of audio material. The plugin handles drums and percussion really well, just you can slow information technology down, also. With relaxed settings, TLS 1295 LEA is excellent for adding grit and presence to vocal recordings.
Go along in heed that TLS 1295 LEA is compatible with digital audio workstations on Windows and Linux only.
More info: TLS 1295 LEA
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DCAM FreeComp
DCAM FreeComp is a bread and butter type of compressor VST plugin. It features a excursion-modeled design based on a vintage console bus compressor, just the plugin doesn't color the sound as well much. DCAM FreeComp can work as well on private tracks and stereo buses.
The plugin's interface mimics the archetype hardware compressor layout with threshold, compression ratio, and attack fourth dimension parameters. Because of this, I recommend DCAM FreeComp as a adept starting point for music producers who want to learn how to use a compressor. It is only slightly more complicated to utilise than DC1A only all the same more intuitive for beginners than TDR Kotelnikov.
More info: DCAM FreeComp
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Safe Compressor
Rubber Compressor is another compressor VST plugin that is suitable for beginners. In addition to its reasonably standard control layout, SAFE Compressor provides a massive amount of presets. Most of the presets come up from the plugin'south userbase. When saving a preset in Condom Compressor, the plugin asks if you want to store information technology locally or upload it to the deject server and share it with other users.
Of course, every compressor preset requires manual fine-tuning because every sound indicate is different. At that place'due south no "vocal compression" setting that volition piece of work for every vocal recording. That said, inexperienced music producers tin can benefit from having access to a set of presets that can work as a starting point.
More than info: Condom Compressor
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RoughRider3
So you lot tested the Molot compressor on a drum loop and idea, "come up on, this doesn't compress well-nigh hard enough for me." Worry not, aspiring beatmaker, every bit RoughRider3 is hither to smack that pulsate loop down into a lurid!
On a serious annotation, RoughRider3 is the best VST plugin for super-heavy compression. You can use it 100% wet as a unique distortion effect or mix the compressed with the dry out point for some tasty parallel pinch.
The latest update adds a sidechain input to RoughRider3's feature gear up. If you're already using Audio Damage'southward excellent compressor plugin, be sure to update the software to the latest version. A heavy compressor similar RoughRider3 works amazingly well for that archetype sidechain compression "pumping" effect.
More than info: RoughRider3
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Leveling Tool
Leveling Tool by AdHd is a freeware compressor plugin inspired by the legendary LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. More than importantly, it is one of the best LA-2A plugins you can get, free or not. Perfect for compressing vocals and useful on instrument channels and the chief jitney. Employ the Leveling Tool to compress your recordings and add analog-style saturation.
The plugin expands on the classic leveling amplifier concept with adjustable attack and release time parameters, adjustable gain reduction ratio, a side-chained loftier-laissez passer filter, and a dry/moisture knob. The list of features continues with the sidechain input and the ability to fine-tune the amount of drive added to the signal. The user can also choose betwixt two metering modes: input book and gain reduction.
Another great thing about Leveling Tool is the interface design. The plugin is uncomplicated and piece of cake to use, with a fast workflow and intuitive controls.
Many thanks to our reader Heavymetalmixer for the reminder about this fantastic plugin!
More info: Leveling Tool
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ReaComp
ReaComp is an ultra-configurable compressor optimized for low CPU usage. Adult by Cockos as the native compressor for the REAPER digital sound workstation, it works equally well as a VST plugin in any compatible DAW.
For a free compressor VST plugin, ReaComp is jam-packed with unique features. It offers feedback compression, soft-knee support, oversampling, motorcar-release and motorcar brand-up proceeds modes, a sidechain input with filtering, and detailed proceeds reduction metering.
More info: ReaComp
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MCompressor
MCompressor is a flexible compressor VST plugin adult past MeldaProduction. Dissimilar whatever other plugin on this list, MCompressor has a freely adjustable compression shape. The user can customize the compressor's dynamic response thanks to this option.
Autonomously from this standout characteristic, MCompressor offers a gear up of standard compression knee joint modes (linear, difficult, and soft), a sidechain input, as well as the standard proceeds and time controls. The user can suit the input and output volume, compression ratio and threshold, and the attack and release time values.
MCompressor also offers the oversampling feature to ensure a crystal-clear sound on the output. The interface has many different colour scheme options, a built-in preset manager, and multiple proceeds metering options.
One annoyance with all MeldaProduction plugins is the installation package. It'due south an all-in-one type of installer that includes every single MeldaProduction product. Now, it's not that big of a deal because the download size is simply around 250 MB, and yous can choose which plugins you lot desire to install. You will also receive a agglomeration of other freeware plugins like the recently released MCharmVerb reverb consequence. Still, information technology's something to proceed in mind before downloading.
More than info: MCompressor
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Frontier
Frontier by D16 Group is primarily a limiter VST plugin, but the software is so versatile that it tin substitute a compressor in many situations. With its adjustable release fourth dimension and the excellent automobile-gain feature, Frontier can be used to quickly boost the loudness of an audio indicate without destroying the dynamics. I frequently set information technology to irksome release and use it to amplify a pulsate mix or to gently even out the book of stereo buses.
Another useful trick in Frontier's sleeve is the soft clipping circuit on the output. You can button the output volume above 0dB to apply saturation and boosted dynamic range compression for a more than distorted audio.
If you're nevertheless learning how to utilize compressor VST plugins, a simple limiter like Frontier can be the right place to outset. A limiter is, by definition, a compressor with a fast assail time and a 10:1 (or college) compression ratio. So, you tin acquire how to set the threshold and release time parameters with Frontier and then motion to a more than complex compressor plugin later on.
More than info: Frontier
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Airwindows Compressors
Airwindows plugins are one of the better-kept secrets of the VST plugin world. The programmer Chris Johnson has released hundreds of freeware VST plugins over the years. His website is an accented goldmine of tremendously helpful virtual effects that can hands rival the quality of commercial software. There'due south but one catch, though – the plugins come up without a GUI.
At the moment, there are over fifty (!) dynamic processing plugins that you tin can download from the Airwindows website. These are the ones recommended by our readers:
- Pressure4 is a character compressor with an organic sound grapheme. Airwindows says explicitly that the algorithm isn't based on analog modeling, but the plugin has that warm sound grapheme that nosotros await to get from analog studio gear.
- ButterComp is a smooth, transparent compressor. It features four totally independent compressors per aqueduct, with a slow response. Its pinch character is buttery soft, and subtle.
If you use Airwindows plugins regularly, join the conversation in the comments section and let us know which ane should be featured on the page. A big give thanks you goes to our reader Michele for suggesting Airwindows in the starting time place. Also, thanks to readers Caleb and Marker for sharing their thoughts about Airwindows compressor plugins.
More info: Airwindows
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Compressor VST Plugins – Honorable Mentions
Here are a few more freeware compressor VST plugins that are worth a look:
- NightShine emulates the iconic Alesis 3630 sidechain compressor that gave countless french house records their signature groove. Only compatible with 32-chip VST plugin hosts on Windows.
- ThrillseekerLA is a freeware compressor based on the classic LA-2A Leveling Amplifier hardware unit of measurement. Adult by Diverseness of Audio, this compressor plugin is a must-have if y'all're still using a 32-bit digital sound workstation on Windows. Thanks to our reader Synthicide for mentioning ThrillseekerLA in the comments!
- TAN is an analog-style compressor developed by Acustica Sound. The company uses a unique "sampling" technique to capture the sound of high-stop studio hardware.
- OTT is an "over the superlative" compressor plugin by Xfer Records. It delivers the archetype multi-band compression sound oftentimes used by dubstep producers.
- jsCompShaper is a soft-knee compressor that can also work as a waveshaper effect. The user tin can seamlessly morph between the two modes to create exciting results.
Do you know of any other compressor VST plugin that should be included in the article? Leave a comment to let usa know!
For more freeware plugins and instruments, return to our Gratuitous VST Plugins page.
Source: https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2020/02/21/free-compressor-vst/
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