The Magic of the VCA Compressor by Softube

[@mixdownonline]

* Correction: I showed the Neve 33609 as a VCA Comp, but it actually uses a Diode Bridge circuit for compression... my bad!

[@cjcurcio]

Hey Chris, I've had this for months but didn't use it until after watching this video. Last night I was mixing drums: it sounds fantastic on kick and snare! No wonder the dbx 160 is a classic on drums! Thank you so very much for making this tutorial!

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

I grabbed mine the other day... Right after I bought the SSL G3. The Softube VCA compressor is great regardless. I'm playing with my shiny G3 right now on the 2 bus. This adds to my Softube collection, VCA, Saturation Knob, and the combo of Widener and Clipper.

[@mixdownonline]

I also like the SSL on the 2 Bus I have to say!

[@MorisoniProductions]

Thanks Chris for this very clear and concise overview (as always!)

[@mixdownonline]

My pleasure!

[@WisdomBai]

wow thank you so much Chris

[@mixdownonline]

You are very welcome

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Thx Chris for showing & telling us about this! :) George

[@mixdownonline]

Any time!

[@kelvinwilkins8406]

It sound amazing on vocals nice for tracking vocals cool

[@aviatedviewssound4798]

They give you a drive knob that can drive the dbx 202 black can, which is used on the SSL 4000 E console, so try using it with the bx_console 4000 with the compressor disengaged.

[@andreafaraboli3398]

Hello and thank you for the advice, very helpful. I've started using them to consistently publish my songs on my KZbin channel.

[@mixdownonline]

Fantastic!

[@johnandkayninmon]

Thanks so Much, Chris!

[@Electricowlworks]

Cool plugin! Thanks for sharing! -chaz

[@davidjonathan2397]

Hi Chris great video.. I'm getting some trouble while installing the VCA compressor. I have a softube and iLok account but in my softube account it says that I don't have a license to run the plugin although it's free. Can you help me please?

[@dfhm-pq2cf]

it isn't automatically added to your account, you still have to claim it after you sign in and activate it.

[@davidjonathan2397]

Yes I did that too but it wasn't working. I finally activated by itself, I think may be due to people knowing that the VCA compressor is free, they all went to download it and overload the server. Thanks anyways

[@dfhm-pq2cf]

@@davidjonathan2397 I found out the issue after the fact, apparently it’s something wrong with their server and they’re accidentally sending a “free version“ and the normal version to everybody’s account, and since the normal version is the free one it’s triggering the “error” message. Basically double check your account you should have two licenses. The one that says free (which they will remove when they fix the bug) and the other one should work.

[@nick68music]

Thank you so much, great review

[@mixdownonline]

My pleasure!

[@_McFly_]

Thank you Chris, sounds great!

[@mixdownonline]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching!

[@benderocks788]

Is this the same VCA Compressor that Softube released a few years ago with Native Instruments? Just a new GUI but same old N.I. compressor?

[@like-icecream]

No and that comp doesn't have any of these functions

[@benderocks788]

​@@like-icecream I just found this info where Softube says about the 3-compressors bundle, that the VCA comp's heart is the same as old one but with new functions added to it: "FET Mk II is completely new mathematical model of a different hardware unit than the FET Mk I. OPTO is based on the same mathematical modeling of the gain reduction circuit, ie. the optical element, photo resistors, etc, as the previous version, but emphasis, HF make-up, time knob, drive etc is new. There are also other factors which increase the precision and/or optimization of the new models, such as increased oversampling, listening tests and iterations. All of this leads to a product with higher authenticity in sound. The same applies for VCA, we used the same mathematical modeling of the heart, but created a new implementation around it with new features, better precision and higher authenticity. To sum things up, all three are new products. We have improved parts we felt needed improvement and added exciting features that we hope you all think is useful!"

[@robertopistolesi2735]

Hi Chris, have you noticed a weird shift in the stereo image, while playing with the presets?

[@benderocks788]

That Softube VCA compressor is also part of a Softube bundle of 3 classic compressors, a Softube version of the 1176, of the LA-2A, and of the DBX 160 which is the VCA compressor in this video here, and is currently FREE !!! Anyone here working with that 3-compressors bundle, and if so, is the Opto (the LA-2A) BUTTERY SMOOTH? I'm considering getting the bundle despite that I have a couple LA-2A emulations already... 😁 and am wondering if that new "pimped" Opto/LA-2A is worth the buy. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@__Stelios]

Isn't the Neve 33609 a diode compressor?

[@mixdownonline]

Yes it is, but some will put it in the VCA family type of compressors... They're a bit fuller, smoother, creamier and chunkier than most VCA's due to its design. Like the PWM, Diode-Bridge design are sub-categories of the main 4 types of compressors.

[@__Stelios]

@@mixdownonline It does sound closer to a VCA than say an Opto but I've never heard of that before, good to know anyway!

[@JoeyFTL]

​@@mixdownonlineI'm sorry but that is just patently false. The dbx 160 is a feedforward compressor that uses a discrete vca to apply gain reduction. The 33609 is a feedback design that utilises pairs of diodes in a balanced bridge configuration to achieve this. Absolutely not the same thing.

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, I got misled on this one by "I'm not gonna who's" legit website, so my bad ;-)

[@NicolasMcmulen-b4k]

Harmony Overpass

[@CherrieMiker-f3b]

Lesch Avenue

[@BlackMaureen-y9z]

Brown Prairie

[@JoelWalter-i2o]

Schinner Locks

[@HobbesKatherine-h8f]

Conn Expressway

[@OwenJack-r2c]

Selmer Forks

[@MichelePerez-j5v]

Strosin Square

[@BirrellHearst-x2n]

Wiza Green

[@HorrorArmor]

Rosalinda Drive

[@DarrellSt.Blaine]

Great vid but you mentioned the 33609 in your list of VCA comps and the 33609 uses a diode bridge topology not a VCA. 👍

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, I got misled on this one by "I'm not gonna who's" ligit website, so my bad ;-)

[@iamquaret]

man im having majorrrrrr issues downloading this plugin

[@RichWarrenOFC]

RIGHT.. I'm on hoop #3. Made the stupid account, linked the iLok and now their bulky stupid APP. FFS

[@LindaLopez-q4q]

Balistreri Turnpike

[@ApexArtistX]

nothing beats acustica hard punch .. plugins cant do this except the Arts acoustics CL series compression.. hard punch possible only plugin i know that does it

[@WillyJunior]

placebo effect

[@WilsonBen-t9e]

O'Reilly Court

[@CarleneLanie-x5h]

Glover Shore

[@AldenKevern-k4x]

Little Haven

[@RogerPaul-j6s]

Keyon Tunnel

[@EffieKatherine-y7o]

May River

[@HabakkukJoan-p8q]

Keeling Knolls

[@AdelaideVictor-u5l]

Louie Lodge

[@AnnaLeila-u3e]

Tillman Hollow

[@ElaineStafford-u7d]

Cullen Valley

[@LisaWoods-x8i]

Shanel Orchard

[@ONeilHolt-b7p]

Immanuel Lake

[@MarthaTrollpoe-f4b]

Abernathy Shoal

[@RhettMatters-j8o]

Brett Courts

[@VeronicaRatliff-u2x]

Elena Radial

[@StevieMccleave-j9l]

Orlando Club

[@SapirIrma-j4t]

Stokes Parkway

[@JessicaRodriguez-m1d]

Carroll Coves

[@MaloryEartha-x6j]

Pierre Landing

[@BernieChurch-k2x]

Turcotte Estates

[@VerniaIruegas-d3x]

Marc Isle

[@BrockSrader-k5z]

Schroeder Radial

[@KelliNess-f4e]

Amos Brooks

[@AliceDunlop-i9k]

Schaden Pass

[@GilbertAlberta-u2c]

Weissnat Ranch

[@KimberlyBrown-x9g]

Michael Rest

[@ChelsieRoubekas-s5v]

Oleta Port

[@LindaBrown-r2m]

Quinn Loaf

[@RodneySaunders-n6c]

Stehr Drive

[@TheCoreys]

Drive knob a placebo knob? xD

[@TrangKappa-p6n]

Maryam Rapids

[@StevenVaught-b3r]

Hassan Parkway

[@mediumrunner]

Crashes my PT sessions. Threw it in the trash. PT is fine again.

[@kylebostick2601]

Throw PT in trash, no more issues with plugins 💁🏻‍♂️

[@Tekkerue]

Run Reaper with a Pro Tools theme. Pro Tools works now. 😂

[@kylebostick2601]

@@Tekkerue I don’t even use reaper, but I second this wholeheartedly 🤣

[@JanellSebastian-q1u]

Paucek Ranch

[@HopeEdmund-r8m]

Schroeder Court

[@PaulSilas-k4u]

Lavada Greens

[@edmondreinger3081]

🙃 P R O M O S M

[@CoverdaleVivian-t3d]

Denesik Drives

[@jorgealvarez8967]

Ilok protected, not touching it even for free.

[@benderocks788]

I hated iLok when I had to buy one for a VST instrument I wanted back in 2009 when iLoks where these bulky and FRAGILE USB dongles, which I hated too. This dongle worked for many years and I had to replace it recently with a version 3 because of compatibility issues with a new plugin I wanted that uses iLok, but only the version 2 or 3, and not the 1st version I had. The new gen 3 iLok is a VERY SMALL AND STURDY USB KEY that I'm not afraid will break at any moment like the old version 1 big plastic thingy dongle thing. The iLok license transfer was also easy to do with that new version 3 iLok key and website was easy to use. So I used to hate iLok, but now I'm OK with it as it works and is way more sturdy then the original version. Look-up online pictures of the 3 versions of iLoks, and you'll what I mean. Hope this helps if you are on the fence :o)

[@CorinaFyfe-l4h]

Zieme View

[@SusanVenus-o7y]

Adolf Crescent

[@ifix4u2]

Just tried to download the free VCA software, signed in, watched your video, hit the link, took me to a download page, clicked on the link, NOTHING........ disappointed.......

[@mixdownonline]

Interesting, cause it worked well on my end

[@ParanormalArson]

The link works, and it's not even buddy's website so I have no clue why you're sooking at him. It's the Softube VCA Compressor. If that's still not working just Google it. Would have taken you significantly less time to do that than whine and bitch at a guy showing off something you can get for free, ya big baby.

[@bnjmnwst]

Worked for me. It's not a download link. You download through Softube's proprietary plugin management software, which you'll need to install first. You'll need a Softube account, as well.

[@sjursjur]

Try a different browser. I had the same problem, but using the edge browser fixed it.

[@matstiderman4368]

Ilock shit!!!

[@Bville-E]

What is the problem that you have w/ilok ???

[@spacecadetrl]

thx for the warning lol

[@JoeyFTL]

​@@Bville-Enothing until servers are down

[@oldskoolfunkandsoul1]

THE WEBSITE IS VERY GLITCHTY!! :(

[@Byron101_]

nope. All is fine. Check your WLAN and provider!!!!

[@razorgarf]

It's not but it was just when they announced the freebie as with everything else free it caused a stampede.

[@jokijarvi2]

screw this - iLok crapity crap

[@circaxx85]

Agreed. iLok is pure shit

[@whitex4652]

Cenozoix.

[@ptrrcm2383]

if you need more eyes than ears for mixing, Cenzoix is ​​very good .