
IZotope’s Multiband Dynamics plugin allows you to apply multiband compression to the center and sides of your stereo image independent of one another. Alternatively, you can apply compression in a way that highlights transients, making the kick even punchier. If you set a band’s center frequency to 160 Hz and apply peak compression to the transient kick, you’ll be able to tuck it into the mix. Perhaps you’re mastering a song, and the entire track sounds good, but every time the kick hits around 160 Hz, it’s too punchy. This allows you to tame harsh sibilant sounds like “Sss” and “Shh.” Pop filters do more to help with plosives than they do sibilance, so getting a dedicated de-esser like the one found in Accusonus’ ERA Bundle is something to consider as well. You can use a multiband compressor as a de-esser, to compress just the 6-8 kHz range of a vocal. They allow you to target specific groups of sounds and compress them as necessary. At a mastering level, multiband compressors are extremely useful. They’re similar to dynamic EQs, but there is a difference between dynamic EQs and multiband compressors. Multiband compressors allow you to compress specific frequency ranges independent of one another. iZotope - Ozone 8 Dynamics (Best Multiband Compressor) - $249

If you can only afford one compressor, get the FabFilter Pro-C 2. It’s the Frank’s RedHot of compressors and sounds good on just about anything. When I’m looking for a reliable compressor that will undoubtedly perform well, I reach for FabFilter’s Pro-C 2. There’s an Audition button that solos audio triggering the compressor, a Mix setting that scales the gain change from 0% to 200%, smooth lookahead up to 20 ms, up to 4x oversampling, a custom knee, and loudness level meters.
BEST FREE 1176 COMPRESSOR PLUGIN PLUS
The Pro-C 2 includes a sidechain EQ section with customizable high-pass and low-pass filters, plus an additional freely adjustable filter. Each algorithm provides a unique style of compression, so the Pro-C 2 is like 8 compressors in one.įabFilter has included all the features you could wish for in a digital plugin compressor. It provides 8 different compression algorithms that include Clean, Classic, Opto, Vocal, Mastering, Bus, Punch, and Pumping.
BEST FREE 1176 COMPRESSOR PLUGIN UPGRADE
If you’re looking to upgrade from your digital audio workstation’s stock compressor, the FabFilter Pro-C 2 is a versatile option.
