I recently use Softube CL1B sometimes in mastering. I cant beleive no one has mentioned Sonalksis in this thread. I like the SSL Duende buscomp & X-Comp, Paul Frindle's Dynamic Spectrum Mapper and Flux compressors as plugin solutions for this purpose. In feedback mode it really is more transparent than anything else I've ever heard, hardware or software. The Dynamic spectrum mapper is really innovative and useful! Not sure how accurate it is compared to the hardware but suffice to say that in Nebula form it's ridiculously transparent when used gently. Play a chess game against the computer, friend or opponent from around the world. A compressor that comes with slate digital limiter FG X. Yeah I totally agree. However, if you’re not ready to reach for your wallet just yet, there are a great selection of free compression plugins that are capable of adding fantastic-sounding compression similar to the commercial plugins. At the least, as a de-esser, DSM seems very powerful and as new/diff. to the point where you don't really hear any extra EQ but some mid or top might dynamically bloom and keep the compressor open just long enough to bring something to life in a very musical way. Moving right along, here comes the Waves-Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain. Great character. Ozone Imager 2 17. Hard to go wrong with Tokyo Dawn Labs Kotelnikov. Leapwing DynOne 3 9. I got some pretty invisible results with Tim Petherick's latest Nebula release, the Summit Audio TLA-100A compressor program. Will have to try. The FG Grey is modeled after the classic SSL 4000 buss compressor. Mastering the Mix EXPOSE 16. (there are several tutorials on this wonderful compressor. when problems arise in one compressor you can often counteract it with the other compressor or a little of it's EQ. However, we have compiled this list so you can do the best on your own or to help you master the work of others. Mastering Forum - All things to do with mastering audio! Let’s take another quick look at the 17 best mastering plugins in 2020. I used MD3 a lot in mastering. Although there are great plugin which have been mentioned in this thread, I recommend the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (UAD preferred). I'm wary of "fix-all" devices (vocal rider et al). There's no one size fits all! FabFilter Pro-Q 3 4. Stepinator combines a multi-step-sequencer and wavetable-synthesizer. as it seems to be, definitely warrants a good working over. This compressor provides oversampling, selectable feedforward and feedback designs, sidechain filters, parallel compression, soft clip limiters, and warm modes that are modeled after the switchable Transformer circuits of the hardware unit. There are thousands of compressor VSTs out there, and not all of them work well for every task. Nice color and pumping, good for electronica. It can help shape the tone, control dynamics, and boost the perceived (and actual) loudness of your source material. PSP Audioware have a great deal right now on PSP MasterComp. Sonnox Oxford Limiter 10. These can include but are not limited to EQ, compressor, limiter, meters, and saturation. I recently purchased a license for the Sonoris Mastering Compressor and it's even better than I remember from demoing it. Highly recommended for all Nebula users. It was used on many legendary albums, such as Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, Nirvana’s In Utero, Radiohead’s OK Computer and Ed Sheeran’s “+” to name a few. The Best Free Compression Plugins. Ammunition compressor in Samplitude/Sequoia hands down is the best compressor plug in I have ever used for mastering. No account required. not registered yet? Thanks very much and stay safe! if you want total transparency use the Voxengo Polysquasher. Then save the profile and setup the comp like a regular comp and load the profile. PSP MasterComp is good, and Vintage Warmer as a Brick Wall, it gives a great color IMO. Try out the free version and then consider buying the modestly priced but excellent GE version. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor by Universal Audio – $299.00. Brainworx bx_masterdesk 3. I own a couple of very nice hardware compressors but the Sonoris has seen a fair bit of use since I purchased it. Since I hate the multiple redundant posts as much as anyone, I'll thread jack a little and piggyback on my own question. This beast of a plugin is based on a beast of a hardware unit that carries the same name. As I cover in-depth in my new online course (Mastering In The Box), compression is a great tool for any mastering engineer. I often like T-Racks 1. there's 4 devices in that though but, they all work very well together. The TG Mastering Chain has been in use in the Abbey Road studios ever since the early ’70s. It's exaggerated but it's used to set the profile for the loudest part of the song. Even so, it doesn’t have to be intimidating. I would also take a look at this set of plugins : Which is the best mastering compressor plugin ? Pro Audio DSP - Professional Audio Plugins - Audio Units, Pro Tools and VST for Mac and PC, Dynamic Spectrum Mapper introduction on Vimeo, PSPaudioware.com - high quality audio processors and effects plug-ins in AudioUnit, RTAS and VST format for Mac and PC, https://www.continuummusicstudio.com...away-audified/, Acustica audio acqua plugins general discussion. Which is the best mastering compressor plugin ? Ozone 9 Standard 2. thumbsup. For me.. hands down TC- MD4, MD3, and Dynamic EQ... Period! Play incredible 3D chess online. Here’s a roundup of my most used compressor plugins as well as some unique features of each. Brainworx bx_meter 14. Waves API 2500 is very versatile! Sonoris Mastering Compressor 8. (there are several tutorials on this wonderful compressor. Once you use it its pretty hard to stay away from it Ammunition compressor in Samplitude/Sequoia hands down is the best compressor plug in I have ever used for mastering. It is comprised of an optical compressor and a VCA compressor in series. I am substituting it and bypassing previous mastering comps and limiters in archived projects, and the improvement makes me regret that FG-X was not available to me previously. API 2500, great for masters. Funny, I have not heard one compressor that made a mix sound better. Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is. The DQ is an amazing plugin comp and the mastering suite is deff up there with UAD and Waves. Common Types of Mastering Plugins. but, as has been said before, different compressors for different songs... its just how it is. The compressor on the TG Mastering Chain sounds chunky and has lots of character. There pricey but hey they sound truly amazing!! There are many incredibly powerful compression VST plugins available, and all DAWs will come with one or two decent compression tools.. He explains it in the video. Great discussion! join now! For a transparent sound, i like to use the FG Comp. Sometimes, i just bypass the limiter and only use this comp! PSP Xenon 12. Or try Slate FG-X, the compressor is great. It's 2016, what everyone's favorite mastering compressor plug-in? Nugen MasterCheck Pro 15. A clearer, more artifact-free, and bigger sound than ever before. Very nice indeed! 1. Play chess online now! Favorite Mastering Compressor Plugin Although there are great plugin which have been mentioned in this thread, I recommend the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (UAD preferred). This Dynamic Spectrum Mapper is a pretty crazy device after having watched the videos! 7 Best FREE Limiter VST / AU Plugins for Mastering If you’re looking for a limiter plugin, here is a list of some of the best FREE limiters VST / AU plugins used by many music producers and sound engineers. The mastering process itself requires the use of hardware and/or software signal processing devices that perform many functions. It is not at this point completely compatible with Logic 9.1.1 and OS 10.6.4. There are a few different parts of a full mastering suite. By Ronan Macdonald ... Shares (Image credit: Future) Fulfilling a multitude of utilitarian, corrective and creative mix engineering roles, the compressor plugin is one of the most fundamental and frequently called-on tools in music production of all kinds. Considering the source it can't be easily dismissed. Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is. I also like Cytomic The Glue, it rocks! Here are our picks for the best mastering plugins available in 2020: Waves – Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain; Eventide Elevate Bundle; Izotope Ozone 9; IK Multimedia T-Racks One; Leapwing Dynone 3; FabFilter Pro-L 2; Brainworx bx_masterdesk; Sonible smart:comp