Arturia 3 Compressors You'll Actually Use - Compressor Software Plug-In, Electronic Download

Sound-shaping Legends
Iconic, rare compressors recreated through physical modeling, letting you add 50 years of studio heritage to your DAW.

The sound of big studio hardware reborn as software effects
Let's face it, there are hundreds of software effects out there. You don't have the time or the budget to try them all out and find the ones you like.

The team at Arturia felt the same way. We wanted to make things simpler, so we could spend more time making music and less time auditioning dozens of effects. 3 Compressors You'll Actually Use features - you've guessed it - a trio of legendary compressors recreated as software through physical modeling. In the same way the biggest studios and record artists relied on these compressors to achieve their signature sounds, they will become your go-to choice for shaping the dynamics and adding character to your music. Iconic tone, unique abilities and 21st century features you'll come back to time and time again.

Compressors that stood the test of time

Comp FET-76
UREI's fabled 1176 compressor, accurately modeled and turbo-charged with new features. Famous for its fast attack, huge punch and versatility. The phrase "industry standard" gets used a lot in music production circles, but few products actually live up the hype. The original 1176 compressor designed by Bill Putnam Sr. truly lives up to the name. Now - thanks to Arturia's TAE technology - you can enjoy its legendary tone-shaping from the convenience of a software plugin.

Produced from the late 60s, the original hardware compressor was a staple of all major studios. Every mix engineer demanded at least one in a session and they were used to shape the sound of countless hit records from Michael Jackson to The Killers, Guns n Roses to Joe Cocker, Bruce Springsteen to Chaka Khan. You won't have to settle for just one, though; with Comp FET-76, you can load up one of these classic compressors on as many channels as you want.

Comp VCA-65
Our very own rendition of DBX's classic 165A, made famous for its treatment of drums, bass and percussive sound sources. When it was released, the original DBX 165A was a compressor unlike any other. Rather than the more traditional vacuum tube, it used a solid-state VCA to create its compression effect and cutting-edge RMS dynamics detection. It also sounded great, which is the important thing!

These days, it's getting harder and harder to find working originals, but their legendary sound-shaping power is still highly sought-after. Now, thanks to Arturia's advanced TAE modeling, you can enjoy using this fabled compressor in your DAW, on as many channels as you want and with advanced features only possible through software.

Unlike the more common DBX 160, the 165A sported several unique features that made it a "must have" for studios looking for tight, punchy percussive sounds. Known as the "Over Easy" compressor, its auto attack-decay detection made great compression simple, its harsh peakstop limiter added a touch of vintage filth when things really hit hard and its unique compression sound gives even extreme settings a natural feel.

Comp TUBE-STA
A perfectly recreated version of the rare tube-powered Gates STA-Level broadcast compressor. A dream for warming up bass and vocals. The Arturia TUBE-STA gives you a stunning recreation of the stalwart, valve-driven compressor that was the all-American workhorse of early broadcast and recording studios. With simple controls, dynamic performance and gorgeous vintage tone, you can now own a piece of history as a software effect in your DAW.

Entering production in the '50s, the original Gates compressor featured quirky non-linear attack and release that were very forgiving with almost any input. Its simple controls and fantastic, harmonically rich sound made it a favorite with radio and studio engineers and now thanks to the power of Arturia's exclusive TAE modeling technology, it's destined to become a favorite of yours, too. Analyzed, mapped out and reborn as a software plugin and powered up with new features that make this golden-age compressor a must-have for the modern producer.

Brought alive by the same exclusive TAE found in our flagship V Collection, our engineers and developers have meticulously analyzed the original hardware to create the best-sounding software compressors ever.

"Don't all compressors do the same thing?"
Yes, but also no. Confused? Don't be. Compressors will all tame louder parts of an audio signal, balancing the dynamics. However, the way they do this, the tone they impart on the signal and the creative ways they can be pushed vary wildly. That's why these 3 compressors are so unique and the reason why legendary engineers and producers used the originals on countless hit records.

Comp FET-76 Demos

Saturated "all in" mode
Want to spice up a drum loop with analog saturation? Easy! Go "all in", push the famed "All Buttons" ratio mode and enjoy!

Side-Chain Power
Discover the power of Arturia's Advanced Side-chain panel with this rhythmic track. The Chord movement is triggered by the 808 Kick, while the original FET-76 tone colors the rhythm section.

Comp VCA-65 Demos

Beauty and the Grit
The Comp VCA-65 characteristic grit, pushed to the extreme, combined with the power of M/S processing, adds strong character to this airy piano track.

Your drum's best friend
Comp VCA-65 is a real prizefighter for drums, adding life and toasty crunch to your drum bus.

Comp TUBE-STA Demos

Vintage glue, still sticking tight
The Comp Tube-STA softens any drum bus. It's not only about compression, it's about character!

Guitar heaven
On this acoustic guitar track, listen how the strumming is nicely fattened while retaining all the attack and details.

These are obviously only examples of what you can do with these amazing compressors, but as you can hear, the results are quite amazing.

Recreating magic with science
Vintage gear just has that "certain something" about it that seems to just make anything sound better. Our team carefully analyzed the originals, seeing how the each compressor treats incoming audio signals at a component level and recreated that magic through advanced physical modeling.

The result is, simply put, awesome. 3 Compressors You'll Actually Use puts 3 of the most coveted, time-honored compressors right in your DAW, so you can use them on whatever you want! Warm up vocals, slam drum room mics, gently limit delicate performances to bring out their subtleties, we've done the hard work, so you don't have to.