Best FET Compressor Plugins 2020

[@danielkisel5661]

My new little secret method how to get enormous amount of punch without getting out of control dynamics is to use Softube Drawmer 1973 into Softube FET compressor. FET comp. is set to fastest attack and release time and important to engage lookahead to get pretty much instant attack time. Softube FET works for mainly for catching peaks so use 4:1 ratio or more, and also adds another layer of beautiful harmonic distortion. This gives a lot of energy and control to the sound at the same time, and yes it is basically going from multiband FET into FET... ;)

[@kadiummusic]

Nice tip! 😎

[@adamfox9651]

I have the CLA-76 and the R-Comp, but I also have the IKM Black 76. I like all of them. The Scheps Omni Channel-or as I like to call it, the "Beard Channel"-has a nice FET compressor built into it as well. Glad to see you got the channel back. Smack them hackers!

[@mixbustv]

Thank you!

[@AnimusInvidious]

Beard Channel, lol.

[@gildecarvalho]

I've tried the Overloud Gem Comp76 v2 and it's legit, sounds very nice, with Mid/Side option...I like it.

[@DynamicRockers]

My go to FET comp right now is the Plugin Alliance Purple Audio MC77. It's really close to an 1176 but with less Hi-end rolloff. A+ emulation IMHO. Nice video! Glad you're back.

[@gianlucamarchese]

Welcome back! Super useful and fun, proud user of the Arturia FET, I'll surely buy in the future the Softube one and the Drawmer, both are one of the sonic carachteristics of modern metal productions. I love to use it on drum samples and synths as well!

[@LeGaLdeadparliament]

I've got a CLA-76 and I am glad to use it. the "bluey" edition is nicely cutting the peaks from the aggressive rap flows, simultaneously accenting the artist's emotions.

[@therealnormz8770]

I've always mixed in the box. I enjoy all of theses digital emulations, yet I've always craved "the analog version". I have a WA76 arriving tomorrow! I went for something not so expensive for my first experience. I hope my cravings are met🤞🤞

[@KordTaylor]

Agreed on the Waves CLA. Was just rediscovering it n bass yesterday It does sound good. I do want to try the latest Arturia too. Great video, thank you! 👏🏻

[@LordBiffMusic]

you are a king for this compressor playlist. what a great idea and easy to understand

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

Same here brother, I love using two instances of the blue face on my vocals. Most of the time I find the default perfect....just drop it on, & copy it down to the next instance and use it like that.

[@TritonPerrinMusic]

You should definitely check out the Black Rooster Audio VLA-FET and all of their other plugins lol Would love to hear your opinion on them. Apart from the VLA-FET i use the Ik Multimedia 76 and I used the Waves CLA-76 for everything until I got what I use now. Sometimes still prefer the waves version on vocals.

[@zachary963]

People complain about Waves for some reason, and then you go and put theirs at No. 1. This video helped convince me to pull the trigger on the CLA76, and do not regret it. It’s a no-brainer. Do I want 1176 style compression? Which of my several 1176 style plugins should I use. The CLA76. Everytime. It just works and sounds great and unlike the ones from Plugin Alliance/Lindell Audio or Black Rooster, it’s so easy to dial in. I don’t know what it is, but I have to spend half an hour trying to get the Lindell one to do what I want, but the CLA76 takes two seconds.

[@Al69BfR]

What‘s also not bad, as far as I can judge, the Overloud Comp 76 which comes in three revisions (A, D, F) and has built in mid/side mode. Only weird thing is, that in this plugin 1 on Attack or Release is the fastest setting. So exact opposite behavior than all? other 1176 emulations

[@Bonzvy]

Great video! I just LOVE the purple audio mc77 from plugin alliance on my drums - hat one has that grit which i am looking for on my parallel busses

[@mixbustv]

The hardware is nice, too bright at times but cool

[@peterbrandt7911]

I'd like to give a shoutout to the Black-76 by IKM. I like those on your list as well (haven't got the Arturia or Drawmer, yet). But when it comes to an 1176 emulation and I'm not using the UAD, I pick the IKM first quite often.

[@elgamerico]

I love the Softube one but you are correct about it being a completely different beast. And the Arturia is great !!

[@4dmind]

How is one of my personal favorite human beings? You're looking good man - Have been super busy but I check in from time to time. Want to thank you for the SSL Fusion review. I'm getting one as well. You're a truly unique person because you're committed to excellent just because it is the right way to live. Keep on rocking it. And I'll try to come around more often.

[@VictorLee335]

Glad to see you back!!

[@mixbustv]

Thank you!

[@lambd01d]

The Softube FET Compressor sounds more like the Lindell 7X-500 plugin(which is an emulation of a '76 clone that Lindell made) than the other 1176 emulations, but it's a lot more aggressive. The saturation is really nice on drums.

[@3jahel7]

FETISH by Analog Obsession is a beast! Definitely needs a hardware version

[@rafalvarezsevilla]

everytime i want to chekc out something, i hope there is a video from you and there always is! thank you!

[@awesomeniak7190]

Hey Bro, thanks for keeping your great channel alive and kicking. Where did you get that SWEAT SHIRT..? Love it!

[@Ninja-pc3gd]

Did you check the new Overloud GEM Comp76 version 2? I think it's one of best FET compressor right now.

[@JKOnTheTrack]

Appreciate the info. Thinking of getting your HipHop course. I still have trouble getting drums to hit hard for some reason.

[@BALTAOFC]

This brawmer seems like a hidden gem

[@tradehut2782]

The rocket is an old fet comp plug-in which is still sounds so good.

[@tortugulaproductions]

The VLA-FET by Black Rooster Effects is also pretty good. It has a hipass and mix knob which is a nice addition to an 1176 style compressor. I'd be curious to hear your impressions on it, your ears are certainly more developed than mine, in addition to a more suitable listening environment.

[@nichttuntun3364]

Yeah. Plus 10db from BOZ is killer. Got it for a very long time now. BOZ makes totally dope plug-ins. Very own and special design choices and philosophy. Can't recommend enough. Beside that I like the DMG and the Black Rooster 1176 models. I avoid Waves 100% now for some months and that won't change in the future.

[@Keetongu23]

The one BOZ plugin I almost always use is perhaps the most simple one: Pan Knob. It is awesome for panning toms

[@AironExTv]

CLA-76 , I love it for news report mixes on the dialogue bus. R-Comp. I hope it got a Tech award of some kind, it's lasted so long. Its designers deserve an award IMHO. I'm currently using the Blackrooster Audio FET. Burns a bit more CPU but is doing well. Not much else to say yet, as I've only been using it for a day or two in all so far.

[@ostrol1590]

Hi Airon, curious about your opinion on the Blackrooster FET: I found it not really suitable for rly fast settings? Maybe i was biased when i tested it!

[@AironExTv]

@@ostrol1590 I‘ve had a good time with it, though in the past year a lot more options have shown up. Fet has a good vibe. I love distortion flavors and this does well for radio and telephone voices, mixing some edge in to a voice and… well I have plenty of things to try since I often fall back to my staple tools. I‘ve mixed entire shows with Stillwater Rocket( a nice 1176 to API‘ish flavour), Klanghelm MJUC, Rcomp and now Fabfilter Pro-C2. Now I try everything. The Blackrooster FET is just one of them. Analog Obsession plugins have joined my arsenal as well. Try Channev. It‘s awesome. His FET range is nice as well.

[@ostrol1590]

@@AironExTv lovely, really appreciate the reply. Ive been really impressed with Analog Obsession's SSL comp, so going to check out his FET collection!

[@oledahl.]

Sorry for not being here for a while. But the bad thing about Falling in love is that you forget everything else. 😂😂 but is so nice to watch your videos again David!

[@martijnvandongen]

I am surprised that Black Rooster Audio FET isn't included. This compressor deserves some attention. I really like this one. Have you ever tried that one?

[@mixbustv]

Haven't tried it, no

[@SaturnVoyager11]

please a new version of this one. Really cool video

[@fx-mayhem1081]

Thanks! I agree with your top contenders. Love UAD and if I need low latency 1176 I go to CLA Waves. Big up!

[@SpektorBaal]

Glad your back man.

[@mixbustv]

🙏

[@albertoskrico9412]

I like how the new camera angle is just to flex ur big ass monitors 😂 great video as always! Great to have you back.

[@mixbustv]

You bet 😄🤘

[@bartldrum]

Fantastic Channel David! Have been a sub for quite a while now and picked up some invaluable mixing tips from you, so thank you so much!! Have you ever tried GGD’s Smash and Grab? It’s a great Fett / VCA emulation in one with a simplified approach to allow for easy use. Originally designed for drums, they’ve just updated it with extra controls so that you can use it on a variety of audio sources. I love how it sounds on the drums and even bass and vocals with a little of the added saturation or air and beef controls. Well worth checking out if you haven’t already. Thanks again David. 😎🤟🏻

[@aerahtv0000]

Hello, did You tried Slate FG-116 and Stillwell Rocket? To me they sound pretty good. What do you think about them? Thanks.

[@ChoocoLP]

Thank you for your video sir. Great content. And what do you think about the antolope 76 ?

[@cholfestival]

Great info, as always. I am interested in buying a pair of jbl 305 mkii. Are the pair you have in your studio? The white ones are the same as black? Thanks a lot David!! 👍

[@cholfestival]

The question is if the white 305 mkii have the same sound as black ones... Thanks a lot!

[@mixbustv]

I don't use them for mixing but yes the white are the same

[@davidreynolds6718]

Hi, you didn't mention stock plug-ins, say from logic or the other DAWs. Seems to me the stock logic FET compressor is pretty decent. Any thoughts on those? Also, thanks for all your videos. They are really helpful!

[@mixbustv]

Because I don't use other daws. But I did have the misfortune of having to work with Logic comp, the one with multiple topologies, FET, Opto etc.. that a lot of people say it's great, and it sucked anus

[@davidreynolds6718]

Alright I'll try the CLA then lol. Thanks again!

[@jeremias3363]

You should really really try dmg trackcomp, it emulates a bunch of these: 2a, 76 a and b, Zener limiter/comp (also thd mode), dbx160, G buss, 2500, e channel. All in a simple gui with optional oversampling up to 32x (also with online offline difference choice) and just as good if not better than many emulations out there.

[@sundamusik]

Cool vid again, have you tried out overloud Comp76 yet? I was diggin the sound, bless.

[@sleepisoptional]

boz +10dB compex emulator is great on drum bus, and you can drive it

[@Nathankaye]

@mixbustv Great recommendations and another fab video. Thank you. Does the Drawmer 1973 hardware have as much colour as the Drawmer 1978 hardware? I’m needing a Fet compressor that can act as a sort of analogue colour box.

[@mixbustv]

I think you meant the software vs hardware, not hw vs hw. If so, Softube makes the closest emulation on the market

[@Nathankaye]

@@mixbustv Wow! Thanks for your speedy reply. I actually should've asked this question on your FET hardware compressor video, but saw this one first. No. I actually meant hardware vs hardware. 1978 vs 1973 for colour and compression..?

[@zoo_sound]

hello from Ukraine! thanks for the video, it's awesome. Please tell me how do you like PA Purple Audio MC77? they say that it is better than Arturia, but your subjective opinion about the MC77 is interesting, I personally like Arturia at first glance)

[@mixbustv]

I'm not a fan of the purple, not even the hardware, I find it way too bright and "spitty". The plugin is much worse

[@zoo_sound]

@@mixbustv thank you very much for the answer!🔥🙏

[@benjaminmagambo3849]

Please do a review of the overloud 1176!

[@chrismonaut]

Welcome back!

[@mixbustv]

🙏

[@Drfresh1402]

UAD has a lot of PA plugins on their platforms for one obvious reason - they’re good. Really good.

[@mixbustv]

Sure

[@Drfresh1402]

@@mixbustv lol

[@PharaohLawLess1]

I often use the BF76 that comes with Pro Tools

[@mishalzeera]

Theres something going on with that one, isn't there...

[@PharaohLawLess1]

mishalzeera You have to transfer the license from the older Pro Tool versions using iLok

[@kisho2679]

When use the Drawmer 1978, and in which situations the Distressor instead?

[@tanner-rh6oo]

Chris lord alge said: "My hardware is like freshly squeezed orange juice, and plugins are like, Tang.

[@mixbustv]

Doesn't he have a bunch of signature ones? 😄

[@peterbrandt7911]

@@mixbustv Strange, isn't it? Maybe the sound lifts as soon as they're call CLA-... Don't get me wrong, I like the CLA series for the most part.

[@tanner-rh6oo]

@@mixbustv I have never seen CLA using plugins on a mix unless he was doing videos for Waves.

[@mixbustv]

@@tanner-rh6oo do you see him mixing often?

[@oledahl.]

MixbusTv hahaha 😂😂😂

[@BraveHeartOriginals]

Thanks for the info 🔥👌

[@scottfaircloff9530]

Thank you sooo much! very good

[@albertoskrico9412]

Maybe this is a kinda beginners question, but what exactly do you mean when you say “the behavior” of a compressor? Is it how they react when reducing gain and recovering? Sorry, I get a little confused by that term

[@mixbustv]

A combination of: curve of the attack and release (given the same time, compressors have a different curve, see the opto video (I think) when I show the difference in release between fet and opto, also ratio, some increase it as GR increases some don't, knee, how they handle low end, how transparent (or not) the gain reduction is, if they have one or two stages or release. A good one to learn some of these things is FabFilter C-2, leave everything the same and switch between the various modes, you will hear (and see in the graphic) how the GR changes

[@albertoskrico9412]

MixbusTv thanks man! Much clearer now.

[@emanuelwhitehead6039]

Now we are waiting for the channel script

[@alijavid2998]

Did you never try fg-stress by slate digital? That's awesome

[@mixbustv]

Don't impress me, both arousor and softube are better

[@aerahtv0000]

Ooooh Yeah!

[@overbe]

How about new Arturia's 1176? 3 models in one

[@jacksimanjuntak9235]

PSP Fetpresssor and IKM Black76

[@farhanhosseini3881]

DMG WOW.

[@nichttuntun3364]

Yeah, amazing!

[@DERAILENTERTAINMENT1]

Klanghelm MJUC.. Honorable Mention??? Nice Vid, Bro!!!

[@mixbustv]

FET? MJUC is a tube vari-mu, shame on you 😄

[@DERAILENTERTAINMENT1]

@@mixbustv -Right...lol

[@socproductionsofficialtv1]

can you send me the link for those above jbl???what is that? i want them

[@mixbustv]

amzn.to/2Oa9p8L

[@RogerBrenon]

Get the Black Lion Bluey B4 the price goes up. You won't be disappointed.

[@mixbustv]

I have the Stam ADG, way better.

[@RogerBrenon]

@@mixbustv Sponsorship? LOL

[@mixbustv]

@@RogerBrenon no common sense and knowledge and experience "lol" 3 revisions in one box with marched components for every revision. Does the BL had the Sowter even? I don't need sponsorship, I have gear sitting in boxes, the video speak for itself. "Lol" 🤦‍♀️

[@LP-tq1kx]

Check Pulsar - Smasher...now for free...amazing, same like their Mu...

[@mixbustv]

cool, a little limited

[@drumboy940]

I like the Smasher for sound design to add punch and resonance on drums. On snares, it gives a nice harmonic stretch. For mix, I don't use it so much.

[@highhawk9632]

What about UAD 1176?

[@favelavegana]

N4 Tim Petherick beats them all

[@Drfresh1402]

Purple Audio MC77. Lindell audio ChannelX.

[@mixbustv]

That's funny you mention the mc77, I just saw few days ago a PA sponsored person stating how amazing it was so tame transients, *without coloring the sound like other compressors* lol they can't even...

[@TheBelphegor1]

Oh , but you are soooo biased!!!! How about the Overloud Gem Comp76 v2 or the PluginAlliance MC77.... any of this two compressors run circles around ANY compressor in this roundup (except the UA collection witch is as good as the MC77 or Overloud Comp76 v2). Thing is , I really like your videos and your knowledge but unfortunately you are one of the many (not all) reviewers who has it's "favorite" companies and as it happens ,some of the TOP 5 of them all (Izotope , Overloud and PA) are not among them. WAVES???!!!??? Well.... "once upon a time"....

[@mixbustv]

Nah I just mix and master for a living, I have 4 different 76's versions, hardware, and had 4 more, along with another 4 FET comps, and I tell what works, simple as that.

[@TheBelphegor1]

@@mixbustv Oh yeah... OK!!!