What Is a Compressor Plugin?
Before I get into the “Best Free Compressor Plugins Worth Trying 2024” let me explain to beginners what a compressor plug-in is.
A compressor whether hardware or software, is an audio processing tool commonly used in music production to control the dynamic range of audio signals. Dynamic range refers to the difference between the loudest and softest parts of a sound or a musical performance. In music production, dynamic range is often an important element that can add emotion and impact to a song. However, too much dynamic range can be a problem, as it can make some parts of the performance difficult to hear while other parts are too loud.
A compressor plugin works by reducing the volume of the loudest parts of a signal, while leaving the quieter parts unaffected. This allows you to increase the overall volume of the signal without causing distortion or clipping. Compressors can also be used to shape the tone and character of a sound, as they can alter the attack and release of the signal.
Compressors can be used on a variety of instruments and sounds, from vocals and drums to guitars and bass. They can be used to make a performance sound more even and controlled, to add sustain to a guitar, to emphasize the attack of a drum, or to add punch to a bass. Compressors are an essential tool in music production, and understanding how to use them effectively can help you achieve a more professional and polished sound.
There a ton of free and paid compressor plugin software online. They come in different formats such as vst, vst3, au, and aax. On top of that, choosing the right compressor plug-in for your tracks, mix-bus, or master channel is a challenge especially for novice audio engineers. Below I have listed some of the best free compressor plugins worth trying in 2024 to help you with your music recordings.
Types of Compressor Plugin emulations you will see:
- FET compressor has the fastest transient response and is designed to be solid state. When it comes to managing the dynamics of aggressive instruments like drums, powerful electric guitars, percussion, and aggressive vocals, FET compressors are often used.
- Opto compressor is transparent, subtle, adds warmth, enhance harmonics, and can add depth on the low end. Great for acoustic instruments, vocals, and bass.guitars.
- Tube (Vari-mu) compressor produce a smooth, warm sound with a natural attack and release. They are frequently used for mild compression on vocals and instruments, and are well-known for adding character and warmth to the sound. Also great for bus channel glue, parallel compression, and mastering limiting.
- VCA compressor know for their quick response, making them an excellent choice for peaky, rhythmic, or transient-heavy instruments and vocals. Several VCA compressor systems allow precise control over a variety of compression parameters such as threshold, ratio, attack and release time, makeup gain, and, in some cases, knee. Great for bus compression and individual tracks.
- Digital Dynamic Compressor While analog style compressors are popular, there are many compressor plugins on the market that aren’t designed to mimic the sound and behavior of certain vintage hardware devices and instead feature characteristics that take advantage of the precision and variety of digital technology. Digital compressors allow more control and have more features. However, it doesn’t necessarily make them better.
Best Free Compressor Plugins 2023
1. Acustica Audio Arctic
The Arctic is a free “All in one” plugin developed by Acustica Audio, a company known for creating high-quality audio plugins that emulate the sound of vintage analog equipment. The Arctic can be used as a compressor, limiter, or saturator. Which allows you to find the best processing for your mix.
The plugin is highly versatile and can be used on a wide range of audio sources, including vocals, drums, guitars, and bass. From adding light compression, to hard limiting, exaggerated overdrive you can get your desired sound from this plugin alone. The 3d interface with five knobs and two sliders makes it easy to control dynamic responses. Arctic compressor also have a built-in digital RMS which allows you to accurately perceive the average loudness of the audio you’re compressing.
One of the key features is the slider at the very top of the Arctic plug-in. The single “morphing” slider makes it simple to comprehend how the three processes are managed. That being the ability to morph between compression, limiting, and saturation using the slider as a controller. This “fine-tuning” option allows for more precise and detailed adjustments. The simplicity of this morph control makes it easier to process and achieve a consistent sound. There are two other sliders on the interface that are key when processing your sound. The ‘Time’ slider which controls the amount of speed from fast to slow and the ‘Makeup’ gain slider.
Another key feature Arctic Compressor have is its advanced modeling technology, which uses a unique sampling and convolution process to recreate the sound of vintage analog gear with stunning accuracy. This technology allows the plugin to capture the subtle nuances and characteristics of classic compressors, including their harmonic distortion, frequency response, and transient shaping.
Overall, Arctic Compressor is an excellent choice for producers, engineers, and musicians who are looking to add the warm, punchy sound of vintage analog compression to their recordings. Its advanced modeling technology, wide range of compression modes, and intuitive controls make it a versatile and powerful tool for any mixing or mastering workflow. This is one of the best free compressor plug-ins worth trying in 2023.
Get Acustica Audio Artic at https://www.acustica-audio.com/shop/products/ARCTIC
2. Tonebooster TB BusCompressor
The ToneBooster TB BusCompressor v3 is an exceptional audio processing tool that brings professional-level dynamics control to your mixing and mastering projects. Designed with precision and versatility in mind, the TB BusCompressor delivers transparent and musical compression that enhances the overall balance and cohesion of your audio tracks.
One of the standout features of the TB BusCompressor is its ability to effortlessly glue together multiple tracks or an entire mix. By applying subtle compression across the stereo bus, it helps unify the elements of your mix, giving it a polished and cohesive sound. The compressor’s advanced algorithms analyze the audio material, adjusting the compression parameters dynamically, resulting in a transparent and natural sound without compromising the dynamics.
The TB BusCompressor offers a wide range of controls to fine-tune your compression settings. It includes standard parameters such as threshold, ratio, attack, and release, allowing you to dial in the desired amount of compression and shape the envelope of the audio. Additionally, the plugin features an intuitive sidechain filter, enabling you to focus the compression on specific frequency ranges or instruments, giving you even more control over the dynamics.
With its sleek and user-friendly interface, the TB BusCompressor makes it easy to navigate and tweak the settings to achieve the desired effect. It provides precise metering displays for visual feedback, allowing you to monitor the input and gain reduction levels accurately. The plugin also offers various preset options, making it convenient to start with a solid compression foundation and then customize it to fit your specific audio material.
Whether you’re working on a dense mix, a delicate master, or anything in between, the ToneBooster TB BusCompressor is a powerful and versatile tool that adds depth, clarity, and cohesion to your audio productions. Its transparent compression, flexible controls, and intuitive interface make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals seeking to achieve professional-grade dynamics processing in their music or audio projects.
Extended Features:
- Transparent compressor that works well with a wide range of audio files.
- Variable ‘dynamic release’ operation and auto-release mode.
- Modes of compression include upward and downward compression.
- Parallel compression is facilitated by an integrated dry/wet mixer.
- The ability to adjust the sensitivity to noisy and tonal input components.
- The compressor’s ‘hold’ control is unique and represented in cycles.
- Compressor release controls include auto, adaptive, and hysteresis.
- Mid/Side Compression, channel link, panning
- The CPU usage is quite low.
Overall, the TB BusCompressor v3 by Toneboosters is a powerful free compressor plugin that is ideal for use for any audio source. Its advanced features and controls make it easy to achieve a professional-quality sound, while its range of additional tools and effects make it a versatile addition to any producer or engineer’s toolkit. This free compressor plug-in is worth trying.
Get TB Compressor v3 (legacy) at https://www.toneboosters.com/changelog.html (scroll to bottom of page
3. Analog Obsession BusterSE
BusterSE is a free compressor plugin developed by Analog Obsession that emulates the sound and character of classic SSL compressor. BusterSE is designed to provide warm, colorful, and harmonic distortion to audio tracks in any music production, making it a popular choice among producers, engineers, and musicians.
The plugin has the standard compressor parameters (attack, release, threshold, and ratio), as well as a makeup gain knob and a dry/wet control. A sidechain input with a high-pass filter and transient controls is also included. The user can also enable Turbo mode, which allows the compressor to alter the whole frequency range of the input signal. Otherwise, it will concentrate on the mid-frequency range. The Turbo mode, according to the Analog Obsession, emulates the behavior of hardware compressors.
Similarly, the Xformer mode activates the emulated transformer circuit, which influences the impedance, tone, and overall balance of the processed signal. To completely bypass the plugin, press the Main button.
The BusterSE adds color and character to audio signals. This is due in part to its use of a “soft knee” compression curve, which allows for a gradual transition from uncompressed to compressed audio. Additionally, the BusterSE compressor has a “Ratio” control that can be set as high as 10:1, allowing for heavy compression if desired.
Overall, Analog Obsession’s BusterSE compressor is definitely worth trying out. Compared to other similar paid options such as the Waves SSL G Master Bus Compressor and the Solid State SSL Native Bus Compressor 2, BusterSE is a reliable free option.
Get Analog Obsession BusterSE free at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3215/
Get access to all Analog Obsession’s plug-ins at https://www.patreon.com/analogobsession (recommended).
4. TDR Kotelnikov Compressor
- 64-bit multi-rate processing structure for maximum precision
Signal route with - “Delta” oversampling (bit transparent at 0dB gain reduction)
- Compression that is both rapid and natural sounding.
- Control technique based on “crest factor” that provides independent release controls for peak and RMS events
- Highpass filter with a flexible sidechain
- Enhanced stereo linking possibilities designed specifically for the stereo bus
- The delta preview mode simulates the difference between the compressed and original signals.
- Compensation for latency, click-free bypass (i.e. processing never interrupted)
- Rescaling of the user interface (100%, 125%, 150%)
5. Meldaproduction Mcompressor
Meldaproduction’s MCompressor is a digital compressor with several features you don’t see on a free plug-in. Mcompressor includes a wide range of controls that allow you to customize your processing to suit your specific needs. For example, you can adjust the attack and release times to fine-tune the transient response of your audio signals. You can also adjust the knee and ratio settings to achieve a more natural or aggressive compression effect, depending on the genre or style of music you’re working with.
Another great feature of MCompressor is its advanced sidechain processing capabilities. The plugin allows you to route an external audio signal to control the compressor’s gain reduction, allowing you to create dynamic and responsive mixes that react to the changing needs of your audio tracks. This makes it an ideal choice for music producers, podcasters, and other audio professionals who want to create mixes that sound natural and organic.
In addition to its advanced processing capabilities, MCompressor also includes a range of advanced metering and visualization tools. These tools allow you to monitor the level, gain reduction, and other parameters of your audio signal in real-time, giving you a comprehensive view of your mix and helping you make informed decisions about your processing settings.
Perhaps most importantly, MCompressor is designed to deliver transparent and natural-sounding compression. Unlike many other compressor plugins on the market, MCompressor is designed to operate in a way that doesn’t color or degrade your sound. Instead, it allows you to control the dynamics of your audio signal with precision and transparency, ensuring that your recordings retain their originality and character.
Overall, MCompressor by meldaproduction is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add precision and control to their audio processing workflow. With its advanced features, versatile user interface, and transparent compression capabilities, this free compressor plugin is worth trying. Music producers, mix engineers, podcasters, and other audio professionals can find this digital compressor useful.
Get MCompressor by Meldaproduction free at https://www.meldaproduction.com/MCompressor
6. Audio Damage Rough Rider 3
7. Analog Obsession VariMoon
The Analog Obsession VariMoon compressor is designed to provide smooth, warm, saturated compression to hard limiting of the audio signal. This compressor is known as a Famous 600 style compressor/limiter with extra features.
The free VariMoon compressor features a simple and intuitive user interface, with controls for input, output, release (6 fixed settings), DC threshold, AC threshold, and high pass filter. These controls allow users to dial in the perfect amount of compression for any audio source. Use on bass, drum bus, vocals, and other instruments to add character.
One of the unique features of the VariMoon compressor is its switchable sidechain filter, which allows users to adjust the frequency response of the compressor’s sidechain. This feature can be particularly useful when compressing sources with a lot of low-frequency content, such as bass or kick drums, as it allows the compressor to respond more accurately to the audio signal.
The VariMoon compressor also features a dry wet blend control, which allows users to mix the compressed and uncompressed signal together. This feature can be useful for achieving a more natural-sounding compression effect, as well as for parallel compression techniques.
Overall, this free vari-mu compressor emulation plug-in provides the desired compression as described by its creator with a range of versatile features. The Analog Obsession VariMoon compressor is worth trying.
Get Analog Obsession Varimoon free at https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3090/
Get access to all Analog Obsession’s plug-ins at https://www.patreon.com/analogobsession (recommended).
8. Acustica Audio Tan2 Compressor
Acustica Audio Tan 2 Compressor is an updated version of their free VCA Tan Compressor plug-in which was originally built on CORE8. Acustica Audios new and improved Tan 2 promotes ‘hyper-compression’ technology, which enables faster and more accurate compression while using less CPU power. Plug-in includes VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats, so it can work with just about any DAW.
The Tan 2 is based on VCA type compression with a classic rackmount style interface. In Tan 2, you’ll find the most popular compressor parameters including attack, release, threshold, ratio, dry/wet, and gain. However the additional shmod knob allow you to fine-tune the attack shape so you can truly personalize the attack behavior for any audio source. The Tan 2 compressor includes an internal side-chain, stereo link control, and new anti-aliasing capabilities, in addition to the improved sound quality provided by oversampling within the plug-in.
Acustica Audio also made several optimizations and graphical improvements, including three alternative sizing options for the GUI. You select these options via a drop-down menu at the top right of the plug-interface.
Overall, Acustica Audio’s Tan 2 compressor is a versatile plug-in that is capable of delivering the classic VCA compression in a digital format. Whether you’re mixing drums, bass, or vocals, the Tan compressor is a free plugin that any producer or engineer can use to get a touch of that classic analog warmth and punch to their digital mixes.
Get Acusica Audio Tan 2 free at https://www.acustica-audio.com/shop/products/TAN
9. D16 Frontier Compressor Limiter
The Frontier Self Adaptive Limiter by D16 Group Audio is a what I like to call in your face compressor that bring sounds to the front. By turning the ‘Threshold’ big knob and dialing the right amount of compression you can easily hear where your desired audio is sitting. Use the ‘Output’ big knob to adjust the level of the audio.
Frontier’s intuitive 3d interface has a classic compressor hardware look with a big threshold knob, a big output level knob, a fixed release switch, a fixed input control switch, a soft clip switch, a dB meter, and an output meter. The release switch options are fast, medium , and slow. The control input switch options are left (L), right(R), left/right(LR), and middle(Mid). With these simple controls you add presence and enhance the overall clarity of your tracks.
One of the key features of the Frontier Limiter is its intelligent and transparent processing. Unlike many other limiters on the market, the Frontier Limiter is designed to work in a way that doesn’t color or degrade your sound. Instead, it operates in the background, dynamically adjusting the level of your audio signal to ensure that it remains within a predetermined threshold. This makes it an ideal choice for mix engineers and music producers who want to maintain the integrity of their recordings while still achieving a loud and punchy sound.
Another notable feature of the Frontier Limiter is its “soft clip” mode. This mode allows you to push your audio signals to their limits without introducing harsh or unpleasant distortion. Instead, the plugin uses a proprietary algorithm to gently round off the peaks of your signal, creating a warm and natural saturation that can add depth and character to your mixes.
Overall, the Frontier Limiter by D16 Group Audio is a solid choice for novice and experienced mix engineers looking to add punch and presence to their tracks. This free compressor plug-in is worth trying in 2023.
Get D16 Frontier free at https://d16.pl/frontier
10. WavDsp Magic 76 Compressor
Magic 76 is a free compressor plugin developed by Wavdsp. It is a software emulation of the classic UREI 1176 compressor. The Magic 76 plugin attempts to reproduce the sound of the original hardware unit, which includes a black model and blue model.
Although Wavdsp’s Magic 76 compressor two interfaces named Blacky and Bluey have the look, it is questionable if the each have the same characteristics as the original 1176 compressor models. For instance, The Rev A “Bluestripe” is an represents the original Putnam FET limiter design, equipped with increased distortion and distinctive FET gain amplifier characteristics. The Rev E “Blackface” era is covered by the early ’70s Brad Plunkett “LN” (Low Noise) era, with modifications such as a more linear compression response, transistor gain amplification, and a change in program reliance.
The Magic 76 plugin’s interface is modeled similar to the original hardware unit, with a large “VU meter” and four main knobs for controlling the compression settings. The “Ratio” buttons allows you to adjust the amount of compression applied to the input signal, while the “Attack” and “Release” knobs control the speed at which the compressor responds to changes in the input signal. The “Output“ knob allows you to boost or attenuate the overall output level, while the “Input” knob lets you know how much audio is hitting the compressor detector. Adjusting the Input knob determines how much compression you’re adding.
Overall, Magic 76 is a free compressor plugin that offers an emulation of the classic UREI 1176 hardware unit. If you’re looking for a free option instead of a paid version like Waves CLA76 or UAD 1176, the Magic 76 compressor is worth trying.
Get Magic76 by WavDsp at https://wavdsp.com/magic-suite/
Conclusion: Free Compressors Final Thoughts
In conclusion, whether you use a FET, Opto, Tube, VCA, or Digital compressor, these free plug-ins deliver a unique and musical compression experience. Each have versatile sound-shaping capabilities, transparent yet colorful character, and flexible control options make it a valuable asset in the studio for achieving professional-level audio compression. Whether used for tracking, mixing, or mastering, these free compressors plug-ins are worth trying.
