Ultimately, the best compressor plugin is always the one that best suites the specific task you’re undertaking and gives you the sound you want with the greatest ease and efficiency. While there have been some significant releases since the last list update – notably Klanghelm’s MJUC and TDR Kotelnikov – many old favourites have also had their reputations cemented and become firm fixtures in many producer’s toolboxes.Īs ever, it’s also important to remember that every compressor will produce subjectively better or worse results on different source material: some are great for drums, others for vocals, whilst some are specifically designed for buss, mix or mastering roles. Several of the new entries were highlighted by readers in the Comments to the original post, so thanks to those of you who contributed suggestions and your own top selections :)

Fully updated and expanded for 2016, we’ve tested pretty much every compressor on the planet to bring you the ultimate compressor plugin round-up!

1176 compressor plugin free