A mastering compressor is a dynamics processor used to help contain the peaks of an entire arrangement.

They can be added at the mastering stage or sometimes used in the output channel during mixing. Engineers rely on mastering compressors to glue the mix together, adding some flavor and tone.

In a nutshell, here is our list of the Best Mastering Compressor Plugins in 2023:

1. Brainworx bx_masterdesk True Peak

2. SPL Iron (Tube Mastering Compressor)

3. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor 

4. Unisum Mastering Compressor 

5. IK Multimedia T-Racks One

6. Brainworx Elysia Alpha Compressor 

7. FabFilter Pro-C 2

8. Softube Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor

9. Cytomic The Glue

10. PSP Audioware MasterComp 

11. Sonoris Mastering Compressor

1. Brainworx bx_masterdesk True Peak (Mastering Workstation – Compressor, Limiter, Stereo Enhancer, Tone Control, De-Esser)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

If you need to do fast mastering, Brainworx’s bx_masterdesk True Peak plugin has everything necessary to do it.

If you’re the guy who likes to have just one plugin packed with everything you need, then this product is for you. On the other hand, bx_masterdesk True Peak is also suitable for beginners who want to practice developing their mastering skills. The fact is that thanks to this software you won’t miss important steps.

All in all, this is an all-in-one plugin that will help provide mastering from start to finish. You can adjust the volume and tone and add compression and harmonic distortion. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to experiment with different flavors of sound. Let’s take a closer look at this.

Key Features:

• Set The Volume
  The first necessary tool here is the Volume knob. With it, you can adjust the volume and the Dynamic Range. The latter is indicated by the indicator at the top of the window. Go into the green zone to get a sufficient level.
• Adjust The Foundation
  Almost every knob here is numbered. That way, you can easily follow the sequence of operations. Thus, the second control is the Foundation, a tilt EQ that will help you add lows and take away highs, or vice versa.
• Choose The Tone
  Remarkably, you can dive even deeper into frequency spectrum tuning. It is the Tone section with controls like on a guitar amplifier. In particular, these are Bass, Mid, Treble, and Presence.
• Gain Reduction
  Another important section of the plugin is called Gain Reduction. As you understand, you can glue everything together thanks to compression. In addition, you will have a De-Esser knob, thanks to which you can remove the annoying high frequencies.
• Resonance Filters
  A great feature of this software is also the presence of the Resonance Filters section. They help you remove resonances in the lower and higher frequencies. By the way, you will be able to monitor this thanks to the Auto Solo function in the form of a separate button.
• Play With A Several Flavors
  On top of all that, you get to play with the flavor of the sound. A button to toggle between Analog and Digital modes will be responsible for this. Each has four TNT Compressor Channels, which also affect the sound.
• Add Distortion
  And, of course, another knob will be responsible for adding harmonic distortion. It is the THD control, which is located in the upper right part of the window. Thanks to it, you can make the sound a little fatter and more expressive.

Compatibility:

Brainworx bx_masterdesk True Peak is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.11 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

The bx_masterdesk True Peak plugin from Brainworx is a great plugin that allows you to master from start to finish. You can use it for a quick demo mastering or dial the whole thing to get a more polished sound. It has everything you need, including saturation, tonal adjustment, compressor, and more.

Related Reading:

Top 6 Mastering Chain Plugins: Complete VST Solutions 

2. SPL Iron (Tube Mastering Compressor)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The SPL Iron is a hardware emulation that offers a distinctive sound resembling radio-era tube compressors.

The Iron is a mastering compressor, but you can also use it on single instruments. Attack and Release have a six-step knob each that goes from slow to fast. You get significant amounts of threshold attenuation and input and output compensation. You also have a four-step, predefined frequency side-chain for range control.

Key Features:

• Tube Bias
  With three options, Low, Mid, and High, tube Bias adds some lifts up the volume, causing some tube compression and distortion.
• Air Bass and Tape Roll-Off
  These are EQ options that you can bypass. AirBass adds two dB of volume to the lows and highs. Tape Roll-Off cuts down a bit of the high-end spectrum.
• Rectifier Knob
  The six options presented here change the attack and release rates, changing the plugin’s whole sound. This is, in fact, an emulation of the six capacitor options the original hardware would have. The Germanium and LED ones have the slowest attack/release times, while the Silicon, Ge, and Ge/Si have the fastest.
• Side-Chain EQs
  These four options allow the compressor to respond to specific frequency ranges. They each focus on reducing different frequencies, while all of them let the low-end pass through. EQ1 controls frequencies around 2kHz. EQ2 controls the 500Hz area. EQ3 controls the bass at 180Hz. And finally, EQ4 focuses on 3kHz, letting the top-end pass. Additionally, there is also an EXT function on this knob for external side-chain applications. There is also a High-Pass filter at the lower menu, so the low-end doesn’t trigger the compression.
• Headroom knob
  This knob controls how much headroom the sound is allowed before hitting the compressor. Turn it down to tighten up your compression or up to make it more airy and dynamic.

Character and Sound:

The TMT technology present in this plugin provides a very accurate analog feel to its sound. You can choose from a range of modeled hardware units, so each number presents a slightly different sound. They do this to recreate better what having multiple hardware units would be like.

This is great for creating some diversity within your mix, using the same plugin. You get harmonic warmth from the get-go, which is only suitable for mastering when desired. Even soft compression brings a lot of character to the final sound.

Summary: 

A great plugin if you’re looking for a compressor that adds flavor to your project. The lack of precise attack/release settings can be confusing, making you trust your ears and experience to achieve pleasing compression. You can take some time to comprehend this plugin fully, but once you do, it opens up several sonic possibilities.

3. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (Emulation of Hardware Compressor)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

This plugin emulation of a hardware classic reproduces the compressor’s original sound while bringing versatility to your workflow.

The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor presents two-stage compression and complete dynamic control. The signal enters the Optical section and feeds the Discrete compressor with three different transformer modes: Nickel, Iron, and Steel. You can also choose to use the plugin in stereo or dual-mono situations.

Key Features:

• Optical Compression
  With a fixed ratio of about 2:1 and no attack or release controls, this optical compressor works as the chain’s first step. Lower the threshold knob to start getting some gain reduction on the loud peaks. While mixing a bass, this will sound better cranked up as you look for a less dynamic sound. While mastering, though, about a dB and a half of gain reduction in this stage will be enough.
• Discrete Compression
  This second compressor has six-step attack and recovery controls, which will be great for transient-heavy material, such as drums. The Dual recover function releases the gain reduction in two steps, the first being very fast and the second a lot longer. This process helps avoid a pumping sound that can be unpleasing in some situations.
• Nickel, Iron & Steel
  Each of these transformer modes adds a slightly different texture to the sound. Nickel sounds brighter, with an even frequency response across the whole spectrum. Iron slightly bumps the low-end. Steel opens up the low-end a lot more and gives the sound a boomy feel.
• Separate parameters
  Both stages of compression offer threshold and make-up gain controls, which provide precise two-stage dynamic processing.
• Side-Chain
  You can apply side-chain filtering so the plugin doesn’t get triggered by the frequency range you select. Initially, the default was set on 90 Hz, so the low-end wouldn’t start the compressor. With the plugin’s native version, the Side-Chain Filter became available.

Character and Sound:

This hardware emulation sounds robust, bringing life into otherwise dull recordings. The output transformer modes offer increasingly deeper low-end control, great for bass and kick drum or distinct low-end heavy music. However, this is a very transparent tool, adding little to no distortion, even at wild levels.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats running on macOS 10.9 or higher and Windows 7 or higher.

Summary: 

The already classic hardware becomes an essential plugin. Validated by some of the greatest artists and studios of our time, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is a must-have. Whether you’ll use it for mastering or mixing, the two-stage workflow helps you achieve breathing compression that improves a recording.

Related Reading:

Top 11 Plugins On Plugin Alliance 

4. Unisum Mastering Compressor (Versatile Compressor With Multiband Feature)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Tone Projects’ Unisum Mastering Compressor offers flexibility for the basic and advanced needs of mastering engineers.

The Unisum offers super clean compression, delivering fidelity even in the heaviest scenarios. The extensive set of controls placed in the Edit Style window allows you to shape the song’s compression. Achieve punch and movement in no time. Also, the Channel Link and Mid-Side mode assist in achieving a naturally wider stereo image.

Key Features: 

• Multi-band control
  Even though the Unisum is a wideband compressor, it offers a multi-band detection path for extensive control. Shape the side chain information with the 3-band EQ, each containing its own RMS and Peak detectors. You get detailed level tracking and the ability to influence the compressor’s response to any of the three frequency ranges.
• Complete Response
  On top of giving you flexible attack and release controls, the Unisum also offers modifiers for these parameters. The extended section lets you time the response to specific transients.
• Oversampling
  The plugin offers three quality modes: Real-Time, High, and Pristine, all of which use different high-fidelity parameters.
• Load parts of a Preset
  So you found the right balance at the plugin compressor section. But now you feel like the Multiband Detector isn’t quite there yet. There is a solution. You can drag a preset into any of the four sections of the plugin and apply it only to that area. This way, you can blend your work with the plugin’s great-sounding presets for an even more precise approach.

Character and Sound:

The Unisum’s natural transparency is a great starting point for any project, serving most productions. But you can take it beyond with this plugin’s tonal controls. The discrete HYGGE button is a frequency-dependent tube circuit that adds warmth, weight, and thickness to any sound.

You can also engage the parallel secondary envelope for a smoother sound that preserves responsiveness.

Compatibility:

Tone Projects’ Unisum Mastering Compressor is available for Windows as 32 or 64-bit VST3, or 64-bit only AAX. It is also available for Mac as 64-bit only VST3, AAX, and AU.

Summary: 

The Unisum is a highly versatile plugin that offers outstanding tonal possibilities and song-oriented parameters. This plugin is genuinely a mastering compressor. Therefore, to get the best from its parameters, you should use it across the entire track. This plugin is an excellent investment for those looking for a flexible compressor.

Related Reading:

20 Best Compressor Plugins For ALL Categories 2023

5. IK Multimedia T-Racks One (Simple, But Effective)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

T-Racks One, by IK Multimedia, is an all-in-one mastering solution with straightforward controls.

The plugin’s layout is easy to understand. On the left-hand side, it offers EQ parameters, and on the right-hand side is the character section. The knobs closer to the middle are the input/output parameters, plus the width knob and a VU meter. There are no attack/release controls in this processor, although you get a Transients knob on the character side.

Key Features:

• EQ Section
  This side gives you a three-band equalizer, named Body (lows), Focus (mids), and Air (highs). The key here is achieving a nice balance since too much of any band, and the limiter will distort or start pumping.
• Character Section
  On the plugin’s right side, you also get three knobs: Bass Punch, Analog, and Transients. Bass Punch increases the amount of compression on the low frequencies, making it great for bass-heavy music. Analog adds a little bit of harmonic saturation while rolling out some of the higher frequencies. Meanwhile, the Transients knob adds a bit of clipping distortion to the left or extra gain reduction to the right.
• Width
  One of the essential aspects of mastering is widening the stereo field without losing mono compatibility. This knob helps you do that easily, allowing you to back down on the stereo image if necessary.

Character and Sound:

The T-Racks One sounds very transparent. However, it can add a lot of weight and energy to a track. It all depends on the project’s goals. The plugin’s controls give you the freedom to shape saturation and color as you best see fit. The Push knob works almost like a limiter’s input gain, in which too much level causes saturation.

Compatibility:

This plugin was made for 64-bit Windows and Mac computers in AU, VST2, VST3, and AAX formats.

Summary: 

An excellent-sounding, user-friendly plugin, although the lack of attack and release knobs makes it less versatile. Unlike other plugins on this list, this is exclusively a mastering processor, not very recommended for mixing purposes. A great plugin, nevertheless, that has its place among the best mastering processor plugins.

Related Reading:

Top 6 IK Multimedia Plugins For Various Categories 

6. Brainworx Elysia Alpha Compressor (Smooth Compressor With Character)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The Alpha Compressor emulates an analog compressor, endorsed by its creators and coded by Brainworx.

At first, the UI can look confusing and off-putting. Even so, these are all precise parameters that together make this one of the best mastering compressors there are. It is not a versatile compressor, per se, but it does what all mastering compressors claim to do. The difference is it does it so elegantly you almost don’t notice it’s there.

Key Features:

• Frequency Selective Compression
  The side-chain knobs in this compressor engage the frequency-oriented compression it was designed to do. This allows the Alpha Compressor to work as a de-esser or as a groove emphasizer, depending on the project’s needs.
• Feed Forward
  This button changes the order of the side-chain. Disengaged means side-chaining will act after the compressor. Engaged means it will act before the compressor section. Each has a different flavor, with Feed-Forward sounding like there is some kind of extra compression applied.
• Auto Fast
  This option is present for both the attack and release parameters individually, on both channels. It uses the adjusted parameters set on the bigger knobs and improves their efficiency by going further. Attack will now be almost instant, and release will change the envelope curve considerably. Perfect for catching high-speed transients and breathing life back into the mix.
• Warm
  This button adds very subtle sound shaping to the compressed signal. It is a slew rate limiter that adds controlled overtones to the sinewave. Brainworx says they decided to make it elusive because of the mastering nature of the plugin.
• M/S
  The Mid/Side processing in the Alpha Compressor stands out for its ability to handle these as unlinked fields. If a mix has a different attack and release, or even tonality on the mid and sides, this plugin can handle it better than any other. The result will be an audibly better master every time.

Character and Sound:

This is a very clean-sounding mastering compressor. The Warm button is very subtle, and Soft Clip can cause excessive distortion. But there are extreme settings that you can use to achieve different yet desirable sounds. A good example is drum subgroup compression.

If you click the two Auto Fast and Feed Forward buttons and lower the threshold, you’ll start hearing the spatial elements a lot more. You can get up to 20db of gain reduction in this extreme mode. This will make the drums sound as if the microphones had been set a little further from the source, which gives a nice natural room effect.

Compatibility:

This behemoth is available as VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU for macOS 10.9 and higher and Windows 7 and up, 64-bit only.

Summary: 

This is hardly an ordinary compressor. Its soft, discrete, and transparent approach elevates it to mastering royalty. The price-tag is reasonable, although out of range for a lot of producers. This is one of those plugins that have a special place on any engineer’s wishlist.

7. FabFilter Pro-C 2 (Most Versatile 2)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

FabFilter’s Pro C2 has already become an industry standard with its extensive controls and eight different compression styles.

The usual compressor parameters are extended by complementary functions, such as Knee, Range, Lookahead, and Hold. You can control the knobs in four different ways for precise adjustments. You can also thoroughly adjust the plugin’s side-chaining to your liking, with a set of controls and three-band EQ.

Key Features:

• Eight Compression Styles
  The Pro-C2 offers eight different styles based on the most common compression uses. They are:
  • Clean: a low distortion, feedforward compression, useful for most applications.
  • Classic: compression with a vintage feedback approach. This does not apply texture.
  • Opto: a softer compression style, with a slow attack and linear response.
  • Vocal: this setting enables automatic knee and ratio values to bring the mix’s vocals upfront. Not recommended for mastering.
  • Mastering: designed to catch fast transients and be as transparent as possible, with no added harmonic distortion.
  • Bus: recommended for adding glue to a master or drum bus.
  • Punch: analog-like compression is useful for most situations. It adds some harmonic saturation.
  • Pumping: great for drums or EDM, this setting’s goal is to make your track bounce.
• Knob Control
  You can control the knobs in this plugin in four different ways. By clicking its center and sliding the mouse up or down, you’ll get a fast-turning knob. By clicking the white arrow and dragging the mouse sideways, you’ll get a slower, more precise control. If you’re using an external mouse, bring it over the knob and roll the mouse wheel for a click-free adjustment. And lastly, for even more precise control, double-click the knob and type the desired value.
• Threshold Meter
  Around the threshold knob, there’s a feedback monitor that makes it easy to identify the best threshold position. This signal is dependable on the chosen stereo-link option.
• Stereo-Link
  Apart from a slider that lets you control each side individually at 0% or the whole stereo field at 100%. You can also drag it further to choose from one of the four options: Mid, Side, Mid>Side (in which the mid information compresses the sides), or Side>Mid (in which the side compresses the mids).
• Range
  Also worth mentioning is the Range control, which is not present in any other plugin on this list. This slider limits the maximum amount of compression, working as a countermeasure, or complimentary function, to the ratio.

Character and Sound:

Overall, the Pro-C2 sounds extremely transparent while adding the necessary dynamic processing. You can obviously push it over the top and get distortion since it has an up to 100:1 ratio, but this is not a character plugin.

Its purpose is not to emulate analog or sounding vintage. Instead, it aims at delivering the best possible compression by giving the engineer control over every possible aspect of the process.

Compatibility:

The Pro C2 works in 32 and 64-bit Windows XP and up, and 64-bit macOS 10.8 or higher, VST, VST3, AAX, or AU plugin.

Summary: 

This plugin offers everything you’ll ever need from compression with entirely adjustable parameters and a user-friendly approach. It is a plugin for professionals looking for that extra level of control over a track’s dynamics. Suitable for mastering and mixing, the Pro C2 is the true definition of “versatile.”

Related Reading:

Top 14 Mastering Plugins For All Categories 

8. Softube Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor (Minimum Features, Maximum Results)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

Softube’s Drawmer S73 emulates an analog multi-band compressor with ten styles and many possible uses.

With a multi-band compressor, it can be easy to overdo your compression and get unnatural results. Enter the Intelligent Master Processor, which will make decisions based on the parameters you choose. This plugins algorithm makes it impossible to get lousy compression.

Key Features:

• Air
  This switch is responsible for opening up the higher frequencies and bringing life back to muffled mixes.
• Styles
  The Drawmer S73 offers a series of ten styles divided into three groups. These are Clean, Bass Control, and Spatial. Let’s take a look:
  • Clean: these styles improve the definition between vocals, instruments, and other mix elements, making it clearer overall.
  • Bass Control: these two styles handle problems in the low end, like muddiness or lack of definition.
  • Spatial: the styles in this group widen the stereo image, bring the existing ambiance up and lift the lead vocals.
• Multiple Styles
  Sometimes, an instrument, or even the whole mix, needs more help than only one of the styles can give. By stacking S73s in your plugin chain, each with a different style, you can fine-tune your song into sounding great.

Right off the bat, the S73 shows a lot of character, as you pick any of the ten available styles. You can choose to cut the extremely low frequencies, push up the highs, open up a mix’s width, or many other available combinations. Try Clarity 2, for instance, to cut down come harshness and bring definition to the midrange. This plugin being an emulation, you’ll also feel the analog flavor it adds to the sound.

Compatibility:

This plugin works in VST, VST3, AU, or AAX formats in 64-bit Windows 7 and up or macOS 10.12 or newer.

Summary: 

Softube’s Drawmer S73 is an accurate reproduction of the original hardware multi-band compressor. The ten available styles make it super easy to use and applicable for more than just mastering situations.

You might want to use this plugin to add punch to a bass track or gentle compression to drums. There are no limits for its applications, given that it just improves anything to which you add it.

Related Reading:

Top 12 Softube Plugins For Music Production 

9. Cytomic The Glue (Most Versatile 2)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Cytomic’s The Glue emulates the SSL-style bus compressor sound adding a few extra controls.

The SSL-style is a very famous compression technique that attempts at gluing a mix using the mixing desk’s bus compressor. In comes The Glue, a clear-sounding plugin that adds subtle, textured compression to your master track. Offering extra tricks not present in the original hardware, Cytomic’s plugin has an advantage over other SSL emulations.

Key Features:

• Range
  This control limits the amount of compression without considering the threshold value.
• Ext In
  This allows the compressor to work on the whole frequency spectrum. Disengage this button, and the side chain knob will become a high-pass filter that can help bring presence to the lower frequencies.
• Presets
  The Glue is a mastering compressor, but you can also use it during mixing. It comes packed with several presets for drums, bass, guitars, strings, keys, lead and backing vocals, sidechain, and mastering. These are very helpful when you need a hand to find a starting point for your compression. You can later fine-tune these presets into something that precisely fits your track.

Character and Sound:

Since this is a hardware emulation, there isn’t much room for improved sonic capabilities. The Glue is transparent, bringing forth an apparent hardware texture, but otherwise no coloration to the sound. It remains true to the analog piece it tries to replicate.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available as AU, AAX, RTAS, VST for Mac and Windows.

Summary: 

The SSL glue technique has found its place in musical history and recreating it has been a goal for several producers since the eighties. This plugin delivers that iconic sound but lets you make it your own with the set of extra controls. If what you’re after is a plugin that can give you the best of this analog technique, you’ve found it.

Related Reading:

Top 7 Compressor Plugins For Smooth Vocals 

10. PSP Audioware MasterComp (Dynamics Processor)

More Info & Price 

The MasterComp by PSP is a high-fidelity stereo processor with smooth, analog-like dynamic compression.

Around for several years, this plugin has stood the test of time. With a wide range of controls and a low distortion algorithm, this is a tool made for mastering. The Limiter switch engages a brick wall limiting algorithm for precise loudness control.

Key Features:

• Selectable channel
  Choose to apply compression to the Mid, Side, Left, Right, or Stereo channels. Plus, the Link knob lets you balance control of the two tracks by connecting them, which can cause a more musical effect.
• Smooth
  This button engages the low distortion algorithm, making soft, analog-like compression available. This option is more transparent but consumes about 2.5x more CPU power. Turning it off makes the plugin faster but not necessarily worse since the sound is quite similar.
• Rear Panel
  By clicking on the frontal logo, you can access the plugin’s back, where you can find a new set of controls. These are specific for the VUs. They adjust the 0VU reference level, the PPM integration and return times, and the Overload counter. All these allow for better adjustment of the VUs, giving the producer a deeper understanding of the output signal.

Character and Sound:

Unlike a few options in this list, the MasterComp doesn’t have a dedicated input/saturation knob. Also, lowering the threshold doesn’t distort the sound. What it has is the Smooth button that makes the sound even more transparent. This is truly a clear-sounding plugin made for giving the perfect glue to your mix.

Compatibility:

The MasterComp is a 64-bit only plugin available as VST, RTAS, and AAX for Windows; or AU, AAX, RTAS, VST for Mac.

Summary: 

This useful plugin can look old-fashioned but delivers incredible compression and is a worthy addition to any producer’s toolkit. The fact it also comes with a MicroComp version focused on mixing applications makes it worth the money. If a soft analog texture is what you’re after, this plugin’s for you.

Related Reading:

Top 9 PSP Audioware Plugins For Music Production 

11. Sonoris Mastering Compressor (Easiest To Use 2)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The Sonoris Mastering Compressor delivers ultra-transparency while precisely tightening up the mix.

The unpretentious UI says nothing about the results this plugin achieves. The sixteen parameters offer a wide range of possibilities, with the plugin shining on soft-sounding materials. That’s not to say it sounds bland because you can also push it to apply character to a mix.

Key Features:

• Link Knob
  Adjust the amount of compression added to the track. Choose to have it in split, left, right, mid, stereo, or a combination of all with the link control.
• Upsampling
  Up to eight times upsampling for an even more precise sound. Also, bother to look at the CPU as you increase it because it can strain your computer.
• Parallel Compression Fader
   If you can’t get the perfect dynamics from the plugin, you also have the built-in option to try parallel compression. Bring it up to blend the dry signal back into the plugin.

Character and Sound:

The Mastering Compressor needs few tweakings before sounding gorgeous. By applying no odd-harmonics distortion, the resulting sound is a gentle compression that pleases the listener. Its advanced algorithm also ensures no pumping, making your tracks sound natural and musical.

If you’re looking for character, on the other hand, that’s also easy to accomplish. The feedforward detection brings a more aggressive approach that emphasizes even harmonics and brings warmth to the sound.

Compatibility:

Sonoris made this plugin available in VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and RTAS format for 32 and 64-bit Windows and Mac.

Summary: 

Sonoris’ Mastering Compressor is an excellent choice for engineers and producers alike for its exquisite mastering results. Similarly, you can add it to a piano, acoustic guitar, or vocal track to achieve smooth compression. An excellent plugin that can compress beautifully without sucking the life out of your recording.

Best FREE Mastering Compressor Plugin

MeldaProduction MCompressor

More Info & Download

MeldaProduction’s MCompressor is a classic design compressor suitable for general tasks.

The MCompressor offers all of dynamics processing’s usual suspects, with advanced features such as channel linking and side-chain. Its most distinguished features are the Envelope Graph and the RMS knob. You also get 26 built-in presets.

These incorporate options for the most common compression applications, such as Noise Gate, De-Essing, Drums, and Mastering.

Key Features:

• Built-in Safety Limiter
  This feature prevents excessive gain compensation from crossing the 0dB mark. It is a transparent brick-wall limiter that you must use carefully since it contributes to the sound’s loudness and uses a lot more CPU.
• RMS
  This knob controls the input levels being sent to the meters without changing the sound. By leaving it in its default position, you get a Peak Detector. If you increase the value, it becomes an RMS Detector that sends a more constant level to the meters based on the time selected. This setting provides approximated values, but you can change its mode in the Advanced Settings menu to show True RMS.
• Envelope Graph
  The graph at the heart of the plugin lets you shape the envelope any way you want. You can use this conservatively to fine-tune the release or creatively to create impossible sound effects. The values on the X-axis represent input volume, while Y is the output. Edit or create any kind of shape imaginable by adding unlimited points to your envelope. Several types of adjustable curvatures can connect them with each point’s surroundings, also admitting smoothness edits. If that’s too much, draw the shape you want in the Drawing Mode. You can also choose from a series of pre-defined curves in the Envelope Graph Menu.
• Plugin Settings
  This page lets you choose which style you want for your GUI. Other settings include Smart Bypass and Latency Report and Global System Settings, such as showing confirmation for destructive actions or intelligently sleeping when inactive.

Character and Sound:

While the MCompressor doesn’t add any characteristics to the sound, it lets you shape it however you want. The Envelope Graph is the secret weapon behind this plugin’s sonic capabilities. Matched with the Side-Chain controls that let you remove high volume peaks of specific frequencies, this is a very transparent and versatile plugin.

Compatibility:

MCompressor can be downloaded as a VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin for 32 and 64-bit Windows and 64-bit Mac.

Summary: 

Even as freeware, the MCompressor has all the famous Melda features, such as multiple GUIs or up to 1024x up-sampling. Advanced users have enough controls to achieve high-precision compression for mixing and mastering. An excellent plugin that works as a free introduction to the Melda environment.

Related Reading:

Top 12 MeldaProduction Plugins For Music Production 

Conclusion

Compression has been an important part of the mastering process since the early lacquer-cutting days. Different compressors are to a producer like different colors to a painter. You can choose your compression according to what goals you’ve set for the project. Whether emulations of classics or masterpieces in their own right, these modern options all do the job very well.

Efforts like the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor and the Elysia Alpha Compressor are hardware standards that every producer should have around. Plugins such as the Pro-C2 and the Unisum give you extensive control over the final result.

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Top 6 Plugins For Latin Music  (And 4 FREE Tools)

Top 12 Plugins For Hip-Hop (+ Best Kontakt Libraries)

Top 7 Plugins For Game & Film Scoring  (+ 6 Best Kontakt Libraries)

Top 10 R&B And Pop Music Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries 

30 Best Free Plugins For DnB, EDM, IDM & Experimental Music 

 

EQ Plugins

Top 12 Free EQ Plugins For Precise Mixing & Mastering

Top 9 Mid/Side EQ Plugins  For Mixing & Mastering (+ 2 Free Tools)

Top 7 Graphic EQ Plugins  (With 3 Best Free EQs)

Top 7 EQ Plugins For Mastering In | And Best FREE Mastering EQs

Top 6 Passive EQ Plugins (Klevgrand, SPL, UAD, Waves, IK Multimedia)

Top 11 Plugins For Making Metal (Best Guitars, Drums & Effects)

 

Metering:

Top 5 Audio Metering Plugins (LUFS, RMS, LRA, True Peak)

Top 6 Spectrum Analyzer Plugins  – Spectral Analysis Tools

Top 6 Oscilloscope Plugins To See The Waveforms

Top 5 Key Detection Plugins & Software  (+ Best FREE App)

 

Kontakt Libraries

20 Best Kontakt Libraries For All Categories (Synths, Drums, Vocals)

Top 7 Drum Libraries For KONTAKT (And 4 Freebies)

Top 7 Trap Music Kontakt Libraries (And Best Lo-Fi Kontakt Library)

Top 7 Metal & Rock Kontakt Libraries (Best Guitars & Drums)

Top 10 Guitar Libraries For Kontakt (Acoustic, Electric, Bass & Freebies)

 

Top 7 Trailer Scoring Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 

20 Best Free KONTAKT Libraries For Various Instruments

Top 9 Piano Kontakt Sample Libraries  (And 5 Best Free Pianos)

Top 10 Percussion KONTAKT Libraries  (And 3 Freebies)

Top 7 Kontakt Libraries For Horror & Thriller Scoring (No VSTs)

 

Audio Restoration, Calibration & Utility:

Top 6 Noise Reduction Plugins (And 3 Best Free Tools)

6 Best Audio Restoration Plugins & Software 

Top 7 Phase Alignment Plugins To Fix Your Bass & Drums

Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins 

 

Instrument Plugins: 

Top 6 Vocoder Plugins (Effects & Synths + FREE Vocoder)

11 Best Rhodes VST Plugins (AND 5 Free Rhodes Plugins)

Top 12 Randomizer Plugins Including FREE Plugins

Top 6 Kick Drum Plugins (Best Kick Designer Tools)

Top 12 Woodwind Plugins (And KONTAKT Libraries)

Top 10 Double Bass Plugins (Best Upright Basses)

Top 5 Strings VST Plugins (AND 4 Best Free Instruments)

 

Top 6 Sampler Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)

Top 6 Classical Guitar Plugins & Kontakt Libraries (And FREE Guitars)

Top 7 Wavetable Synth Plugins 

Top 12 Sub Plugins (Best 808 & Bass Tools For Massive Low End)

Top 10 Plugins On PluginBoutique (And 7 Best Free Plugins)

Top 11 Plugins On Plugin Alliance 

Top 7 Acoustic Guitar Plugins (And 4 Best Kontakt Libraries)

 

9 Best Bass Guitar Plugins (And 2 Best Freebies)

Top 6 Electric Guitar Plugins (Best PAID & FREE Picks)

Top 10 Arpeggiator VST Plugins (Best Synths, MIDI Effects & Tools)

Top 10 Modular Synth Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)

Top 6 Choir Plugins & Sample Libraries (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

11 Best Percussion & Drum VST Plugins (And FREE Plugins)

 

Top 8 Piano Plugins (Best Sounding Pianos & 5 FREE Piano Plugins)

Top 6 Organ Plugins Ever Made  (And 3 Best Free Organs)

Top 14 VST Plugins For Beginners (And 9 FREE Plugins)

Top 9 Drum Machine Plugins (And Groovebox Plugins)

4 Best Banjo Plugins (Best Banjo Instruments)

 

The 5 Best Ukulele Plugins & Kontakt Libraries 

Top 13 Synth Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Synths Plugins)

Top 13 Sequencer Plugins  (Synth, MIDI & Step Sequencers)

The 10 Best Multi-Effect Plugins (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

Top 12 Plugin Bundles For Musicians (Synths, Mixing & Mastering)

 

Processing & Sound Design:

8 Best Lo-Fi Plugins (PAID & FREE)

Top 11 Plugins For Mixing Vocals  (For Home Studio)

Top 12 Saturation Plugins (Best Mixing & Mastering Tools)

Top 6 Pitch Shifter Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Pitch Shifters)

Top 6 Chorus VST Plugins For Musicians (And 3 FREE Plugins)

 

Top 6 Limiter Plugins For Precise Mastering & Mixing

The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Precise Cuts & Boosts (+ 5 Free Filters)

6 Best Autotune Plugins To Improve & Enhance Your Vocals

Top 10 Transient Shaper Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 7 Enhancer Plugins (For Bass, Drums, Vocals & Harmonics)

 

Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators)

Top 7 Phaser Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Phasers)

Top 10 Plugins For Mixing Drums (And 3 Best Free Plugins)

Top 7 Bitcrusher Plugins (And 4 Best FREE Bitcrushers + 3 Bonuses)

Top 6 Plugins For Voice-Over & Dialogue Cleaning (Post Production)

Top 10 Stereo Imaging Plugins (Best Old & Modern Picks)

 

Top 5 Multiband Limiter Plugins 

Top 7 De-Esser Plugins For Better Vocals (And 4 FREE Plugins)

Top 7 Clipper Plugins (Best Limiter Alternatives)

Top 6 Chord Generator Plugins That Inspire Melodies (+ FREE Tools)

7 Best Exciter Plugins For Mixing & Mastering

Top 7 Channel Strip Plugins (And 2 Best Free Plugins)

 

Top 11 Distortion Plugins (And 4 Top Free Plugins)

Top 5 Comb Filter & Resonator Plugins | Melda, Kilohearts, Tritik

The 7 Best Vibrato VST Plugins | Audec, Audiority, Melda

The 7 Best Tremolo Plugins | Eventide, Melda, SoundToys, Kuassa…

The 7 Best Harmonizer Plugins | Eventide, Melda, Aegean Music

7 Best Sidechain Plugins (VST, AU, AAX) | Xfer, Cableguys..

 

Top 10 Noise Gate Plugins (And 6 FREE Free Gate Tools)

The 6 Best Ring Modulator VST Plugins | KiloHearts, Melda

7 Best Autopan VST Plugins | CableGuys, Melda, Waves, Soundtoys

The 6 Best Frequency Shifter VST Plugins

Top 11 Granulizer Plugins For Future Sound Design

29 Best Sound Design VST Plugins

 

Compressor Plugins

Top 11 Free Compressor Plugins (VCA, Vari-Mu, FET, Digital)

Top 7 Multiband Compressor Plugins (And 4 FREE Plugins)

Top 5 Diode-Bridge Compressor Plugins 

Top 6 Mastering Chain Plugins: Complete VST Solutions 

Top 10 FET Compressor Plugins 

The 7 Best VCA Compressor Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 11 Mastering Compressor Plugins (And 2 FREE Plugins)

Top 10 Opto Compressor Plugins For Transparent Sound

The 7 Best Vari-Mu Compressor Plugins (And 2 Best FREE Tools)

 

Reverb & Delay Plugins:

Top 12 Reverb Plugins (And 5 FREE Reverb Plugins)

The 6 Best Spring Reverb VST Plugins | AudioThing, GSi, u-he, Eventide

Top 12 Delay Plugins For Music Production In (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 10 FREE Delay Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

The 10 Best Convolution Reverb Plugins 

 

Amps & Preamps:

Top 10 Guitar Amp Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Simulators)

Top 10 Bass Amp Plugins (And 5 Best Free Simulators)

Top 9 Preamp Plugins (For Vocals, Guitars & More!) + Free Preamps

 

Other Recommended Gear:

Top 12 NearField Studio Monitors On Any Budget

Top 10 Midfield Studio Monitors For Home Recording

Best Biggest Studio Monitors (FarField Monitors)

Top 10 Guitar Pickups for Low Tunings 

Top 10 Analog Compressors For Mixing & Mastering (On Any Budget)

Top 12 USB Audio Interfaces Under 150$, 200$, 300$ 400$ (Any Budget)

 

Top 12 Hardware Equalizers (Analog EQs For Mixing & Mastering)

Top 6 Analog Hardware Limiters 

Top 6 Solid State Bass Amps (On Any Budget)

Top 6 Ribbon Mics On Any Budget (For Vocals, Drums & Guitars)

Top 6 Cheap Dynamic Mics For Vocals Under 50$, 100$, 200$ & 300$

 

Top 6 Chorus Guitar Pedals (On Any Budget)

6 Best 61-Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)

9 Best 49-Key MIDI Keyboards Under 100$ & 200$

Top 5 Best 25 Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)

Top 12 Acoustic Drums (Best Kits/Sets On Any Budget)

 

Guitar/Amp Focused:

Can I Put Nylon Strings on a Steel-string Guitar?

Do Electric Guitars Sound Good Unplugged?

Buying Your First Guitar: 2 Things To Know

Are Tube Amps Worth It? (Tube vs Solid-State Amps)

How Often Does A Guitar Need a Setup?

Can I Play Classical Guitar On A Steel-String Guitar?

 

How often guitar necks need reset?

Can You Play Two Guitars Through One Amp?

Can a 6 String Bass Be Tuned Like A Guitar?

Can I leave My Guitar Tuned Down a Step? Yes, But Is It Safe?

Should I Learn 4, 5 Or 6 String Bass Guitar & Why?

How To Know If your Guitar Amp Is Broken?

How To Fix Distorted Bass Guitar Sound?

 

Do Fender Guitars Appreciate In Value?

Should You Put Stickers On A Bass Guitar?

How Acoustic And Electric Guitars Are Made?

Is Electric Guitar Too Loud for an Apartment?

Does a Preamp Improve Sound Quality?

If I Learn Acoustic Guitar Can I Play Electric Guitar?

How Many Hours A Day Should You Practice Bass Guitar?

Do I need an AMP/DAC To Run Bookshelf Speakers?

How to Record Electric Guitar Into Logic Pro X?

Do headphones get worse with age?

 

DAW Related:

Best DAWs For Musicians Available (With FREE DAWs)

How To Develop DAW Software?

What’s The Most CPU Efficient DAW? – 5 DAWs Compared

How To Make Music Without Using A DAW?

Pro Tools Guide: How To Use AutoTune & Pitch Correction?

Ableton Review: Is It Worth The Money? (Cons & Pros)

Logic Pro X Review: Is It Worth It? (Cons & Pros)

How To Use Auto-tune & Pitch Correction In Cubase?

How To Fix Ableton Crackling, Crashing & Freezing? Step By Step

 

Plugin Related:

What Are Audio Plugins? Different Types of Plugins Explained

What Are The Best Tools To Develop VST Plugins & How Are They Made?

Cost of Developing Audio VST Plugin: Several Factors (With Table)

VST, VST, AU and AAX – What’s The Difference? Plugin Formats Explained

Complete Guide To Noise Gate – What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It?

How To Clip My Drums? Here Is How & Audio Teasers (Before/After)

 

Complete Guide To Limiter: How To Use It (+ Best Plugins & Analog Limiters)

Mixing With Reverb: How To Add Life To Your Mixes

Linear Phase vs Minimum Phase EQ – Full Guide

Difference Between LUFS, RMS & True Peak Loudness Meters

How And When To Use Algorithmic And Convolution Reverb In Your Mix?

Difference Between Active EQ, Passive EQ and Dynamic EQ

 

Headphones & Studio Monitors:

Do headphones get worse with age?

Monitors vs Studio Headphones For Mixing & Mastering

Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins 

Does Heat Damage Headphones?

Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Good For Music Production?

Can Headphones Break in Cold Weather?

Why do headphones & cables get sticky?

 

Can Wearing Headphones Cause Hair Loss?

How Do I know If My Studio Monitor Is Blown?

Side Effects Of Sleeping With Your Headphones On

Do You Need Music Amplifier For Studio Monitors or Studio Headphones?

Do Headphones or Earphones Damage Your Brain?

Can Headphones or Earphones cause Deafness or Toothache?

FarField, MidField & NearField Monitors – Their Uses, Pros & Cons

 

MIDI & Synths:

Should I Buy A MIDI Keyboard Or Synth? (Are Synths Worth It Anymore?)

Why Is Audio Gear So Expensive? (Especially Synths)

Top 12 Synth Brands – Analog, Digital & Modular Synth Manufacturers

11 Tips How To Choose MIDI Keyboard 

Should I Buy MIDI Controller Or Keyboard? Cons, Pros & Tips