Compressor plugins are a vital component of any music producer’s creative toolset. If you’re mastering your track and your software doesn’t do a good job compressing your sounds, you could undermine all the hard work that came up to this point. Let’s take a closer look at the best compressor VSTs out there, and find the best one for your purposes.
Below we’ll break down the best VST compressors by category:
- Best Compressor VST for Vocals
- Best Compressor VST for Drums
- Best Compressor VST for Bass, Acoustic Guitar, and Keys
- Best Bus Compressor
- Best Mastering Compressor
A Little History
For years, the compressor landscape was dominated by hardware compressors and classic compressors like the Teletronix LA-2A. Now everything is done on a computer. Software like Waves CLA-76 or Fabfilter Pro-C 2 have paid homage to the compressor/limiters of the past.
Programs like SSL G-Master Buss Compressor have broken new ground for today’s music producers. But there are new and amazing software programs available for those who want to bridge the gap between the throwback technology of yesterday and the cutting-edge software that will define the next decade.
Which VST Is Right for You?
Sometimes it’s not enough to think just about the “best” VST in abstract terms, but what’s the best for you and the work you’re doing right now. Auto gain? Coloration? High-Pass filters? What sort of focus should your compressor VST have? Drums? Vocals? Bass? What specific features and effects are the most important for your creations? Keep these questions in mind as we check out my top picks.
Best Compressor VST for Vocals
Voxengo Voxformer
What is the best vocal compressor you can get? In my opinion, it’s Voxformer. In reality, Voxformer is far more than just a compressor –it’s one of the top VST plugins you need if you’re working with vocal tracks.
Voxformer is primarily a complete plugin for processing voice recordings. It’s a much larger program than some of the others I’ll mention later. Yet a standout part of Voxformer is its multiband compressor. The simplicity of the compressor’s design earns it a spot on this list.
Two vocal compressors use a sleek one-knob control. The VST gives you great control and waves you through the distractions. You can create professional sound quality without worrying about make-up gain controls.
Pros
- Great intuitive user interface
- Multiple tools designed specifically for vocals
- Great presets designed for vocals
- All-in-one tool for…you guessed it… vocals!
Cons
- You can’t swap the order of operations…but you probably won’t need to
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Best Compressor/Limiter for Drums
Punch Compressor
Punch is one of the best compressor plugins you can find, based on the classic 1176AE limiter. It features FET gain reduction emulation, extra fast attack time, full automation features, and top-notch presets.
There’s a definite interest in VSTs and software that can mimic classic compressors. Punch is no exception to this trend. But in addition to capturing the punchy old-school vibe, this software has one real ace in the hole: drums.
As one might guess from the name “Punch,” the plugin’s strength is that it is truly fantastic for drums. If you want your drums to stand out above all the competition, check this VST out. You can get great drum sound quality with a fraction of the time spent on other VSTs.
Punch also works well on a variety of hosts and DAWs, including Ableton (my personal favorite) as well as Adobe Audition, FL Studio, Cakewalk Sonar, and quite a few others.
Pros
- The drum compressing is second to none
- Great value for the price tag
- Presets for drums!
Cons
- This particular program is Windows-only (something to be aware of, if you primarily use a Mac)
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Best Compressor VST for Bass, Acoustic Guitar, and Piano
FET Compressor
FET Compressor by Softube is modeled after classic compressors of the past. Not to be confused with PSP FETpressor, this VST from Softube grants the user an amazing amount of control. It allows you to work magic on your drum bus just as easily as your guitar or bass. The software works on recent Macs and most Windows machines.
If you want to experience some classic compressing styles, this one is for you. But FET is more than just a piece of nostalgia. Lookahead and external side-chain options allow you to move past what the originals were able to do. The truly great thing about the FET compressor is that it isn’t simply a reproduction of old-school compressors like the 1176. The FET compressor is built to be used today.
Pros
- Parallel compression option
- Fast attack and release options
- Great gain reduction control
- Given its versatility, FET is also very gentle on your CPU
Cons
- Doesn’t support Windows XP or Vista, but if this is a problem, you should probably fix this first 🙂
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Best Compressor VST for Gluing It All Together
JST Bus Glue Bundle
It may sort of be “cheating” to put JST Bus Glue on this list, given that it’s not just one compressor. In reality, Bus Glue is a whole set of Bus Compressors, that you get as part of a bundle. But by having the set, it frees you from the need to stack multiple compressors and still gives you detailed focus.
When you’re using Bus Glue, you speed up the learning process, and save time by the ability to use presets for specific tracks and mixing buses.
Created by Joey Sturgis Tones and mixing engineer Joel Wanask, the set gives you the ability to track different instruments up close.
There are 6 unique compressors included in the bundle can also be purchased individually:
The low-hassle setup, versatility, and ease of use are all incredible qualities of this set.
The point of this software is to help you get your product finished, without getting bogged down in too many details. Sure, sometimes you want a million features. But sometimes what you really need—especially when you’re learning how to accomplish the basic steps of compressing your tracks and getting them done. Bus Glue gets out of your way, and in the process, it helps you learn about your own workflow.
Pros
- The set works on Windows or Mac
- You don’t have to spend a ton of time learning a complex user interface or software
- This is a program that wants to get you up and running ASAP.
Cons
- In creating something that was built to be designed for speed and efficiency, some more experienced producers may wish for something more hands-on, or for more bells and whistles—but it remains a great way to learn
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Best Master Buss Compressor
MasterMix Buss Compressor
The MasterMix Buss Compressor from Minimal System Group was built to get music producers across the finish line, and complete the last step of polishing their tracks. Drawing inspiration from well-known classic analog consoles and buss compressors of the past, the MasterMix looks to the future.
The tool is very efficient. It has low CPU usage, which is extremely nice at this stage of the game—who wants to be slowed down to a crawl when you’re so close to being finished with your work?
It adds a nice touch for mixing and mastering (as one might expect from the name). The GUI is definitely above average. There might be a little bit of a learning curve for anyone who is completely new, but that’s going to happen with any system, so you may as well start somewhere, especially when the price is so reasonable.
The value for the money is perhaps the best of anything on this list. The heavy drum buss is a standout feature, as is the superglue and subtle pumping. Like the JST Bus Glue, the focus here is not in weighing a user down with a million features or distractions, but in letting you focus on your work. If you’re just starting to get your toolbox together, this is a great place to start.
Pros
- Not a CPU hog
- High-quality visual feedback
- Easy but effective GUI design
- Excellent value for the price
Cons
- Might take a little time to master, but overall, this is a gentle learning experience
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Wrapping Up
So do I have an absolute favorite? I’d say that if your tracks lean heavily on a specific sound or instrument, like vocals, guitar, or drums, check out one of the first three. If you’re not sure, or are just getting started learning, take a look at MasterMix and Bus Glue, and see where they take you.
In the end, having the right compressor on your side can really make or break your finished track or song. So much work goes into creating a rich and layered sound, and if it’s all washed out with the wrong mixing, mastering, or compressing, it’s a real shame.
Fortunately, any of these compressor VSTs will have you in good shape to create a masterpiece.
