8 Compressor Types You Need To Know!
Learning to compress can be very difficult, but once you get that essential knowledge, that technique will be your main weapon for tight and punchy mixes. However, to master the art of compression, you need to know about all compression types.
In this blog post, we mentioned 8 different compressor types you need to educate yourself about and also when & how to use them properly. We're not going to put some useless info just to fill out the blog. Instead, we'll be very concise and straight to the point for easiest possible understanding.
You're going to learn about:
1. FET (Field Effect Transistor)
2. Opto (Optical)
3. VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier)
4. Vari-Mu (Variable Mu - Tube)
5. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
6. Diode Bridge
7. Multiband Compressors
8. Peak Limiting
1. FET (Field Effect Transistor)
This type of compressor uses a field effect transistor to control the amount of compression applied. They're known for their lightning fast times, coloration and character.
Where to use them? FET compressors sound great on instruments, drums, vocals and bus channels. Their special ability is to do parallel compression as no other compressor can, since those aggressive times, ratios & character really come in handy when it's down to parallel compression. 1176 is the most famous FET compressor and it's known for "All Button In" mode which can be activated once you press all the ratio buttons at the same time, which enables ultimate compression and coloration at the same time. The way that sounds can't be replicated by any other unit.
FET Compressors Plugins:
- IK Multimedia T-Racks Black 76
- Slate Digital FG-116
- Waves CLA-76
- Universal Audio 1176LN
2. Opto (Optical)
This type of compressor uses a light source and a photo-sensitive resistor to determine the amount of compression. They're known for their slower response, smoothness and amazing coloration.
Where to use them? Opto compressors sound the best on vocals, but that doesn't mean you should use them on instruments such as guitars, pianos, saxophones or other instruments. They can also do well on bus channels, but you have to be extra careful there. Optical compressors can be used as parallel compressors, but the best possible way to use them is on vocals or some instruments.
Opto Compressors Plugins:
- Universal Audio LA-2A
- Waves CLA-2A
- Slate Digital FG-2A
- Analog Obsession
3. VCA (Voltage Controlled Amplifier)
This type of compressor uses a voltage controlled amplifier to determine the amount of applied compression. These compressors are transparent and versatile.
Where to use them? These compressors can be used on any piece of audio material, you can't make a mistake. However, they're often used on bus channels to "glue" the mix or a group of instruments. Also, they're used in mastering and mix bus processing. Since they're transparent, they can also serve well on vocals, individual instruments, drums... anything.
VCA Compressors Plugins:
- IK Multimedia Bus Compressor
- SSL Stereo Bus Compressor
- Universal Audio SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor
- SSL Native Bus Compressor
4. Vari Mu (Variable Mu - Tube)
This type of compressor uses tubes (valves) to achieve compression. These compressors are well known for their warmth, smoothness and character.
Where to use them? Vari Mu compressors can do some serious job on buses! Since they offer their unique coloration, the way they can process a bus channel can't be replicated by any other unit. They also do wonders on drums and instruments. There are cases where I used Vari Mu compressor in mastering but in Mid/Side mode, which sounded great, but be extra careful with this!
Vari Mu Compressors Plugins:
- Acustica Audio UltraMarine
- Slate Digital FG-MU
- Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
- Universal Audio FairChild 670
5. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
This is a type of compressors that utilizes pulse width modulation to alter the amplitude of the input signal and compress it. They're fast and they introduce very low distortion.
Where to use them? This type of compressors sounds great on some acoustic instruments! I tried it on different pieces of audio material, but I find it sounding beautiful on acoustic instruments.
PWM Compressors:
- Great River Electronics PWM-501
- Hazelrigg Industries VNE
- ART Dual Limiter
- Waves Kramer PIE
6. Diode Bridge
This type of compressor utilizes pairs of diodes in a balanced bridge configuration to apply variable compression to the input signal.
Where to use them? I find these compressors sounding great on electric guitars, vocals, drums and even bass. They can be used on various audio signals, which is why I really like them.
Diode Bridge Compressors:
- Rupert Neve Designs 5254
- Rupert Neve Designs 535
- Lindell 254E
7. Multiband Compressors
Multiband compressor divides the frequency spectrum into multiple bands which further allows you to compress each band individually. This is probably the most flexible type of compression you can get.
Where to use them? This type of compressors can be used on any audio signal, ranging from kick, bass, snare, clap, drums overall up to guitars, pianos, vocals, buses... basically anywhere you need additional control over your signal's dynamics & energy.
Multiband Compressors Plugins:
- FabFilter Pro MB
- Izotope Ozone Multiband Compressor
- Waves C6
- IK Multimedia Quad Comp
- Acustica Audio Titanium Compressor
8. Peak Limiting
These processors are designed to handle peaks and prevent clipping. They're usually referred as limiters and they operate with very high ratios.
Where to use them? A common usage for limiters is on bus channels, possibly mix bus and mainly in mastering to achieve the desired loudness.
Peak Limiting Plugins:
- Izotope Ozone Maximizer
- FabFilter Pro L2
- Waves L1 Ultramaximizer
- D16 Frontier
Where to learn more about compression?
If you didn't know, we made "The Art Of Compression" guide where we teach many different techniques on compression. With The Art Of Compression Guide, you'll be able to learn more about compression overall, how to hear it, how to take advantage of it and many, many secret techniques used by the pros. Also, there are many listening exercises included, so you can learn how to actually hear it and adjust precisely to your taste. Make sure to get it today!
With The Art Of Compression Guide you will:
- Learn all the necessary fundamentals of audio compression
- Understand why is compression important
- Learn how to use compression as your biggest weapon for tight and punchy mixes
- Learn from beginner level, moving to advanced & ending up with professional techniques
- Train your ears using listening exercises
With a single purchase, you'll access the full version of The Art Of Compression. It's all yours and you can start elevating your knowledge today!
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