In this article, we will look at the Best compressor VST plugins of 2024.
Compressors are arguably the most used effect plugins in the audio mixing process. Compressors help get the perfect dynamics and transients in the mixdown while also adding warmth and character to the sound.
This list includes classic, analog, as well as digital compressors for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. You will find this list very helpful in finding the best compressor for your projects.
Best Compressor VST plugins of 2024
These are our top picks for the best compressor VST plugins of 2024 –
- T-Racks Classic Compressor
- UAD Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection
- UAD SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor
- UAD Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
- FabFilter Pro-C2
- FL Studio Limiter
- Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor
- Waves CLA 76 Compressor/Limiter
- SSL Native X Compressor
- Distressor by IK Multimedia
Let’s look at each of these compressors, their features, pricing, and more.
1. IK Multimedia Opto Compressor(Best for Piano, Vocals, etc)
The first compressor plugin in our list of Best compressor VSTS of 2024 is Opto compressor by IK Multimedia. Opto compressor is an optical compressor. It emulates the behavior of an actual hardware optical compressor.
Optical compressors use a light source to control the compression amount. Although most people may believe that as the optical compressors are using a light source, they will have a fast compression and sharp character.
However, the truth is exactly the opposite. Optical compressors have a rather slow release(because the light source doesn’t instantly lose its luminosity). The Opto compressor emulates this behavior perfectly. It is an ideal audio compression for Vocals, Piano, and similar audio instruments that need a soft character.
IK Multimedia Opto compressor has plenty of presets to start with and A/B for testing various compression settings.
Price: €49.99
2. UAD Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection
The second compressor in our list of best compressor VST plugins is the UAD Fairchild 660 and 670. The Universal Audio Fairchild Tube limiter collection is the faithful emulation of the original Fairchild. The plugin comprises both 660 Mono as well as 670 Stereo models.
This compressor works with everything. While the 660 Mono adds punch to the audio, the 670 adds warmth and character to the sound.
There are 6 Time constant settings (Attack and release). However, the highlight of this compressor VT is the digital-only time constants and settings like headroom, Dry/Wet control, etc.
Price: $299
3. UAD SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor
The third compressor in the list of best compressor VSTs of 2024 is the SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor by Universal Audio. The UAD SSL 4000 G Bus compressor is an honest emulation of the legendary SSL 4000 mixing console.
The plugin gives a unique punchy and transparent compression with a perfect stereo image.
The UAD SSL 4000 G Bus compressor has adjustable attack and release controls along with auto-release functionality. It also has the Control voltage summing just like the original hardware unit.
It is one of the best compressors available for Mix and Master buses.
Price: $299
4. UAD Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
Variable Mu is one of the most popular compressor types among mixing and mastering engineers. And for a good reason, they have a very unique characteristics thanks to the vacuum tube and unique structure.
With that said, the next compressor in our list of best compressor VST of 2024 is the Manley Variable Mu compressor by Universal Audio.
This compressor VST perfectly emulates the behavior of the original Variable Mu Hardware compressor by Manley. It is transparent, adds beautiful harmonics via mild saturation, and has a smooth gain reduction.
This compressor can be used on individual channels like Vocals, Strings, Horns, etc, or mix bus. The plugin has stereo as well as Mid-Side processing.
Price: $299
5. FabFilter Pro-C2
There is something about the digital compressors that you can not find in the classic and hardware model emulation compressor VSTs. They are super accurate, have more controls, and give very precise compression.
And if we talk about the best digital compressor VST available in the market, that award will go to FabFilter Pro-C2. Although there are many digital compressors available in the market like iZotope Neutron, FL Studio Limiter, and so on, none of them comes closer to the FabFilter Pro-C2.
If you are on a budget, you must get FabFilter Pro C2. It can solve all your compressor needs alone.
Although FabFilter Pro-C2 is packed with amazing features, what makes it the best compressor is its great analysis and compressor modes. You can choose from a variety of modes like Pumping, Classic, Clean, etc. Each mode has its unique character and function.
There are plenty of controls within the plugin that allow you to take absolute control over the transients and dynamics of your audio.
Price: $169
6. FL Studio Fruity Limiter
What a rare scene! A Limiter in the list of the best compressor VSTs?
Well, allow me to clarify. FL Studio Limiter has both a Limiter as well as compression module. Furthermore, it has an integrated Gate module as well. Fruity Limiter is one of the best compressors I have ever used. Some may argue against it but only those who have seen the true power of FL Studio Limiter will know its real power.
What makes this plugin a great compressor is its Powerful sidechain, advanced Noise Gate, the best visual analysis, and powerful attack, release, and knee controls.
The fruity limiter is a sweet blend of minimal design and maximum functionality. When the compressor, gate, and limiter work alongside each other; you can tame the dynamic range, transients, and color of the audio like a walk in the park.
Price: Free With FL Studio
7. Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor
Every article or video that talks about free compressors has Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor listed in it. One might hope that while designing free compressors, the developers might cut corners and won’t give the VST the highest quality.
That’s not the case with the Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor. Despite being free, it is one of the best mastering compressors available right now.
Some of the features Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor has are off the charts. Like the Crest factor-based release that allows you to set different release values for Peak and RMS events. It also has a low-cut filter, Stereo sensitivity,
Kotelnikov Mastering Compressor gives one of the most natural-sounding compresses. If you are looking for a free compressor VST plugin, this is the one for you!
Price: Free
8. Waves CLA 76 Compressor/Limiter
What is the most important element in the mixdown? The answer to the question is Drums!
If we need a good-sounding drum mix, we need a good-sounding compressor. Incoming the Waves CLA 76 Compressor/Limiter. It is one of the best drum compressor VSTs available in the market.
Waves CLA has a very fast character, tube saturation, all ratio mode(just like the original hardware), lots of presets, parallel mix control, and many other cool features.
The Waves CLA 76 is the compressor for getting the perfect drums for your music.
Price: $39.99 or via subscription model
9. SSL Native X Compressor
One of my favorite compressors comes from the company Solid State Logic or SSL. The SSL Native X Compressor is the best compressor for beginner producers. Its compression analysis is the best in the business.
Unlike most compressors in the market that only tell you the gain reduction data, the SSL Native X Compressor gives you data about the harmonic content, compression amount, and transient shape in real time.
My personal favorite is the frequency data. It helps me get the cleanest possible compression for my steams. Some might argue that SSL Native X is an expensive compressor. However, you can use it as an OPTO(optical), FET, and Variable Mu compressor; all in one. Making it an absolute unit.
The highlight of the SSL Native X compressor is the frequency filter, you can select a frequency range and compress it, leaving the high and low end intact. It allows mixing engineers to get precise control over the transients, dynamics, and color of the sound.
Price: $199
10. IK Multimedia Distressor
It was really difficult choosing between IK Multimedia and UAD Distressor. Both are an excellent emulation of the most sold compressor in history. I will highly recommend testing both plugins and deciding on your own. I am gonna list IK Multimedia Distrassor because I own it, tested it, and loved it.
Distressed is a collection of compressor colors! With every tweak, you will get a new dynamic and harmonic color in your sound. The compressor is analog and has specific compression ratios.
The IK Multimedia Distrassor has variable Attack and Release controls. The Distressor can also emulate the compression of Optical and Classic 1176 compressors, making it ideal for Vocals, Keys, Piano, as well as Drums and parallel compression.
The Distrassor has rare in-built saturation mode, the 2nd order distortion gives tube saturation while the 3rd order gives tape saturation.
The Distrassor is known as the Swiss knife of the compressors and for a reason; it can do everything!
Price: €129.99
Conclusion
I hope that this list will help you find the best compressor VST plugin. Make sure to check the features of the VST plugin as well as compatibility with your system before buying it.
You must also look for specific mixing requirements like parallel compression, glue, mastering, etc before choosing the right compressor VST. Along with that the audio type also matters. For instance, 1176 doesn’t work that well with EDM kicks, and so on.
Make sure to check out other articles on the website as well.
