Choosing the Right Compressor: VCA, Opto, Vari-Mu or FET?

Justin Colletti breaks down the four main types of compressors, so you can understand the strengths of each compressor type and find the best compressor for your needs. Learn all about VCA compressors, Opto compressors, Vari-Mu compressors, FET compressors and other compressor types including Diode Bridge compressors.
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Stock compressors and boutique compressors
04:51 - Overview of VCA Compressors
05:10 - bx_townhouse
10:09 - What VCA Compressors are great to use on
10:31 - Opto Compressors
11:33 - ACME Audio Opticom XLA-3
12:41 - Using a compressor as a tone box and not as a compressor
13:14 - bx_opto compressor
14:18 - What audio sources are good for an Opto compressor
15:05 - FET compressors
16:23 - What audio sources are good for a FET compressor
16:59 - Vari Mu Compressors
18:55 - Summary of the 4 major types of compressors
19:36 - Diode Bridge Compressors
20:48 - bx_limiter TP as a compressor
21:12 - Multi-band Compressors
21:20 - Dynamic EQ as a compressor - LISA Dynamic EQ
21:45 - Digital compressors - ADPTR Sculpt
22:30 - Outro
You can try all the compressors and other types of plugins featured in this video with a free trial of the Mega Bundle www.plugin-alliance.com/en/pr...
Learn more: www.plugin-alliance.com/en/bl...
Compression plugin topics covered in this video:
An introduction to VCA compressors
The uses of VCA compressors
The advantages of VCA compressors
The characteristics of VCA compressors
Examples of VCA compressors
- bx_townhouse (VCA compressor example)
- Lindell Audio SBC (VCA compressor example)
- Vertigo VSC-2 (VCA compressor example)
- Maag Magnum K (VCA compressor example)
- elysia alpha compressor (VCA compressor example)
- AMEK Mastering Compressor (VCA compressor example)
An introduction to Opto compressors
The uses of Opto compressors
The advantages of Opto compressors
The characteristics of Opto compressors
Examples of Opto compressors
- Acme Audio Opticom XLA-3 (Opto compressor example)
- bx_opto (Opto compressor example)
- Millennia TCL-2 compressor (Opto compressor example)
- Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (Opto compressor example)
- Tomo Audio Labs LISA Dynamic EQ (Opto compressor example)
An introduction to FET Compressors
The uses of FET Compressors
The advantages of FET compressors
The characteristics of FET compressors
Examples of VCA FET compressors
- Purple Audio MC77 (FET compressors example)
- Lindell 7X-500 (FET compressors example)
An introduction to Vari-Mu compressors
The uses of Vari-Mu compressors
The advantages of Vari-Mu compressors
The characteristics of Vari-Mu compressors
Examples of Vari-Mu vompressors
- SPL Iron (Vari-Mu compressor example)
- NEOLD V76U73 (Vari-Mu compressor example)
In addition to the four main compressor types this video also touches on the following less well-known compressor types and plugins that can be used for the signal processing effects we associate with compression.
- Diode Bridge compressors using the Lindell Audio 254E as an example of a Diode Bridge compressor
- Multiband compressors using Lindell Audio 354E and MBC as examples of Multiband compressors
- Dynamic EQs Tomo Audio Labs LISA is used as an example of a dynamic EQ that can be used for compressing in a less conventional way.
- Limiters which are a very strong form of compression. The bx_limiter and bx_limiter True Peak are used as good examples of limiters.
- Upward compressors the ADPTR Audio’s Sculpt is used as an example of a plugin that offers upward compression.
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[@TheBlackJewelz]

Really appreciate this. Would LOVE to see more of these in-depth breakdowns, especially with the plethora of options available in the MEGA bundle.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That's great to hear! We're working on more educational content already. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@benkolts]

I'm surprised you skipped over the Elysia compressors. Alpha is awesome. 🙏

[@sleepisoptional]

mpressor has some tricks as well

[@JustinColletti]

Haha-as soon as I finished filming this I was like “dayuuummm… I missed elysia”. Those are some great tools. Will definitely talk about them in the next video on VCAs. -Justin

[@benkolts]

@@JustinColletti haha, no doubt! Thanks brother! 🙌

[@jframjams]

Excellent overview with very digestible historical insight. Looking forward to the deeper dives.

[@izakboom8487]

Thanks Justin, you're a born teacher, very helpful!

[@rome8180]

I'm so glad you brought the Acme Audio Opticom to my attention. I have the Plugin Alliance subscription but I'd never used that particular compressor. I just ran my whole mix through it with no compression, just making use of the coloration the way you would with a tape machine plugin. I can't express how much cooler my mix sounds now. It's like a super-vibey saturator. I doubt it would work on every mix, but this one already had gritty drums and a vintage sounding bass. The Opticom really enhanced those qualities and made them seem less accidental. The mix sounded fine previously, but now I "feel" something when I listen to it.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear the magic is working. Thanks for the wonderful feedback and sharing your experience!

[@catlikemeteor]

its a beast on vocals and bass.

[@keithferris9574]

I have the Purple and the Bx Opto. I absolutely love both.

[@Jrel]

Great video! I'm excited to see the rest of the series. I wish all of this information was compiled like this many years ago. It will be a plenitude of knowledge for everyone.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That's really great feedback. Thank you so much!

[@DavidGilden]

Please do a video on all the different EQs that Plugin Alliance offers, thanks 🙏

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for your feedback. We're working on more of these!

[@reziahamed6654]

Really adore your knowledge Justin.. you pick the best of the best... 🤓👍

[@audiostuff9065]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS - Please do a video like this for all of the major plugin categories in the bundle.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

More is coming. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

@@PluginAllianceTV Yeah please do that with Justin, most others are boring (sorry but Its true for me I think for some others too!)

[@saxmanash]

This is really great information. I find I now understand what compression is but I was struggling with the different types in my XL bundle until now 😁 thanks for clarifying

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're happy to hear the video helped. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@leirumanuel]

I want the second video! Amazing!

[@HolgerDehnhardt]

I hardly have a vocal track without the NEOLD U17 - either in parallel operation with extreme settings or in serial operation with gentler settings. A really great tool! I am very curious about the further episodes - this overview was already quite interesting. I didn't know anything about a pulse width modulation compressor yet ;-)

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

Thanks Justin, for putting all these at its place. The first plugins that I bought were the Lindell 500 series, and for free the channel X strip. The Iron is also one of my favorites, it has a tape roll off what I really like, very subtle. The NEOLD plugins are also amazing, the U17 is pretty much my favorite. If you have harsh material, the U17 process this Easley to a good sounding instrument/ voice. Have great weekend.

[@reziahamed6654]

Amazing.. Thanks for the insight.. the Iron is phenominal..🤓👍👍

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the nice feedback and sharing your experience!

[@danepaulstewart8464]

⭐️⭐️ WOW! Best explanation of what compressors do, how they work, and what the options out there are. VERY helpful. THIS is the video to watch if someone wants to LEARN about compressors. 👍😎👍

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear it's helpful. Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

[@FallenStarFeatures]

One aspect that distinguishes opto compressors is that they inherently respond to the RMS power level of the signal, rather than the peak amplitude. Sharp transients tend to pass through unimpeded by these compressors, which may or may not suit particular instruments. On crash symbols, for instance, an opto compressor can be used to preserve the initial spikes while keeping the overall level consistent.

[@AntmanFelix]

Even though I have a general understanding of the different type of compressors, it's nice to see what PA has to offer in their bundle. I have the Mega Bundle and often times I just reach for what I know but I like to branch out every now and then too.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear it's helping. Thanks for the nice feedback and enjoy your sessions!

[@Herr-Lefe]

Hi, Justin. If I include multiband compressors, compressors in multi-effect plugins , mastering compressors, channel strips and dynamic EQ:s, I have 70 compressors (20 from PA). Should I see a doctor?

[@Professor_Pat]

Thank you for making these videos.

[@sheatanner9935]

I have bought several of these compressors and I experiment often as I record. I like cleaner comp for my vocals and use the softubes saturator for the grit after the fact. As I track my vocals I use a clean fet style to compress at the beginning of my vocal chain and then then a character LA2A to catch any peaks at the back end. It adds color and is more subtle that way. Opto I like to throw on my bass tracks to give them just a bit more dirt to cut through the mix. I use EZ drummer so those are already super processed samples. Alll I do with drums is send the shells to a submix bus with a heavy duty compressor to mix into the overall drum mix sound. Adds grit and punch without overpowering the mix. This is all just my opinion of course and just my approach. I reccommenr getting some compressor plugins and play around with them, find the sounds you like most nad then tweak them to play nice with one another.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for your support and sharing your approach!

[@turntupbeats]

i got them all but my fav is got to be the FET mc 77

[@JustinColletti]

That’s easily one of my most used plugin alliance compressors on individual instruments. Love it.

[@allpdmusic]

Great video Justin!

[@hansvos5897]

Thank U for the great teaching as always 🦊

[@southernaccentfoods]

What a fantastic video! I'm working on getting the audio better in my own videos and this is a great introduction to these various compressors and how they work.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@therockhour1386]

Ahh... The Amethyst! Im sitting next to one also!

[@tonez2732]

Such a wonderfully thorough video 🎉 Thank you

[@visionx272]

This is dangerous, Justin's excellent explanations could give someone serious GAS...Jokes aside, Plugin Alliance and Justin Colletti is a fantastic combo.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the awesome feedback!

[@sgfdancecompany]

Great video Justin!!!!

[@Mike_Benz_]

Great overview

[@armonshakur_VMGmultimediaEnt.]

EXCELLENT review brother. Extremely informative to we advanced professional producers In how how we should be approaching using, & applying these weapons of mass destruction (lol) to Instruments, vocals, & busses/chains. As well very intuitively informative, & educational to all the newbies, upstart novice producers who are newly finding their way through the many intricate (languages) of music production, & how they should practically be approaching using this new knowledge of tools used to craft superb, professional, & polished complete music production projects, i.e songs. 10/10 review! #Approved !

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback!

[@yichaozhang7933]

very appreciate your guys work! this video is very useful!!!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thank you so much!

[@jcpuga]

Love the bx_townhouse...bought cause why not, and now it's one of my fav's to use on a mix! love the U17 and Opticom for drums as well..Purple Audio Comp for voice...just need to get that new AMEK for mastering and I'll be set! 🤩

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That sounds like an awesome chain. Thanks for the nice feedback and sharing your approach!

[@jcpuga]

@@PluginAllianceTV Do you guys have any news on supporting Daw controllers in the future? Or maybe even team up/work with someone like Rocksolid Audio or Softube Console 1?

[@jupasplus3955]

About the SPL IRON, you can't choose differents transformers, but differents diodes ! And they are not on the audio path, but on the control signal path of the gain reduction ! It changes a lot the timing response instead of the color behavior of the box. This compressor is a beat of beauty. It would be great having a real review of it.

[@74Bagas]

i know as beginner, i will not use this much. but as a nerd or geek😉. i love this.

[@woodnoname5015]

Thank you: most infomative !

[@ErixSamson]

Super interesting, thanks for this.

[@237311]

Useful video. What type of compressor do you recommend that's suitable for live vocal performances like band or karaoke environments?

[@StereotacticMusic]

For me Elysia Alpha Mix is bulletproof 👊🏽

[@armonshakur_VMGmultimediaEnt.]

Always have heard nothing but astonishingly great things about the Elysia Alpha/compressors. So much so that though I don't necessarily need anymore compressors but I am fixated on the great reviews Elysia has always received by tons of producers who are dedicated advocates of this beauty of a compressor plugin over the years. So I've just decided to get the complete PA MEGA bundle when It's on sale again & have the extra $$ & just skip the semantics & own the whole arsenal of of PA's mixing, Mastering weapons lol. That way I'm fully covered with what I believe imo personal opinion to the BEST mixing & Mastering plugins available on the market especially at the phenomenal price points & subscriber coupons rebate offers etc. Hands down the best in the game/market easily said & put. I abhor waves, & have NEVER purchased not one plugin from them even being aware of them supposedly being the standard for years facts aha😉🤣😂! I guess I'm just a naturally born PA guy what can I say. So all my $$$ has been, & will continue to go to PA. We are a FAMILY & COMMUNITY over at PA unlike waves facts on God no kap. It's the RELATIONSHIP between we producers, subscribers, & developers, as well techs for me that retains my staunch, stubborn sense of loyalty lol!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

To demo the plugins in the video for 30 days, start a free MEGA Bundle trial here: www.pa-megastore.com/mega?

[@georgezorbas9036]

BX Townhouse has any oversampling option? If no can I use it with ddmf..right?

[@PluginAllianceTV]

All analog modeled plugins “made by BX” apply oversampling internally whenever it is necessary, in a really clever way. We are typically not simply oversampling the whole plugin, as this would increase the CPU/DSP load unnecessarily in most cases. Especially on DSP systems, where a plugin always has to “reserve” the worst-case DSP load this wouldn’t be great. The same would be true for plugins like our SSL console emulations, which get used on dozens of channels in many mixes. CPU/DSP efficiency is key here. The way our system works is that we basically make sure that any crucial part of analog modeled circuits run with a sample rate of at least 176Khz internally. Our Upsampling Settings, depending on your session settings: - Below 50kHz (for example 44.1 and 48): 4x - Below 100kHz (for example 88.2 and 96): 2x - Above 100kHz (176.4 and 192): 1x We don’t offer these Upsampling modes to be selectable or switchable by the user, because we believe they are highly optimized for each circuit and application the way we have integrated our Upsampling.

[@georgezorbas9036]

@@PluginAllianceTV Itr would be nice if you could make a video showing any plugin of yours (especially something that adds saturation) vs a plugin that gives oversampling (like saturn) and show the aliasing comparison in something like DDMF. It doesn't matter which one would be better in the graphics...but most important is that we would see the behavior of your internal oversampling!!!!!!

[@TWilsonMedia]

is the Purple mc77 M1 compatible yet for protools 2023

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Support for macOS 13 Ventura and the AAX format on M-series devices is an ongoing effort and will be implemented with our Maintenance Updates. Once it's available, you will be able to update your plugins hassle-free through our Installation Manager. All non-compatible plugins will work through the Rosetta-2 layer. We'll make further announcements soon! www.plugin-alliance.com/en/news/article/items/apple-silicon-m1-plugin-updates.html

[@manuelleivatalledo615]

Into the R2R big pacc

[@ChrisDv849]

Well explained information. But wouldn’t it be great to have the different characteristics of compressors taught with comparing some audio examples? I mean, we talking music here. Imagine yourself learning a language, but only learning pronunciation from a theory book. And then telling everybody “ try to pronounce some sentences, let me know what you think’.

[@FLAVMEDIA]

My Fav is the Shootout of Compressors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXiUiIp8i8x8fJI

[@bangubw736]

No Shadowhills 🤯

[@JustinColletti]

I did mention it in passing, but we will explore it more deeply in future episodes. It has a foot in two of these categories, so didn’t fit in quite as neatly. -Justin