Native Instruments - NI VC 2A Vintage Compressor
SMOOTH AND WARM
- Easy to use, automatic attack and release
- Medium to slow response for natural sound
- Sidechain input and Low-Cut Detector
THE VC 2A — SMOOTH AND WARM
Smooth electro-optical compressor with a silky, natural sound. Great on vocals, bass, pads and guitar.
ELECTRO-OPTICAL COMPRESSOR
A member of the VINTAGE COMPRESSORS Series, the VC 2A is an instantly useable software emulation of a legendary precision studio tool — an electro-optical tube compressor/limiter with a smooth, silky sound. Attack and release are determined automatically in response to the input signal. It’s also easy to dial in the sweet spot, because the VC 2A has only two main controls – Gain and Peak Reduction – which control threshold and the amount of compression.
This effect is also available as part of the specially-priced VINTAGE COMPRESSORS bundle.
IMPROVING ON THE ORIGINAL
Produced in cooperation with Softube, the VC 2A also offers a host of additional features not available on the original. An added sidechain input not only allows for characteristic ducking and pumping effects, but also provides possibilities for a wide range of creative compression techniques.
A dry control makes parallel compression with the VC 2A a reality and a Low-Cut dial effectively tells the compressor to ignore (i.e. not compress) anything below the set frequency. This essential enhancement helps to avoid over-compression caused by unruly bass frequencies.
GETTING STARTED
Use the VC 2A for leveling vocals — it leaves the peaks more or less intact but pushes the quieter parts in a natural, musical way. Turn up the gain to get the smooth, subtle coloration and drive this classic compressor is famous for.
The VC 2A also delivers highly satisfying results on bass. The slow release means that the compression remains smooth, avoiding distortion caused by overly fast release settings on other compressors.
ABOUT SOFTUBE
VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is produced in collaboration with Softube. These "Swedish rock 'n' roll scientists" specialize in incredibly accurate software emulations of professional audio hardware.
As well as working with NATIVE INSTRUMENTS, they make a wide range of their own products. Their reputation in the industry is exceptional.
ELECTRO-OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY
An electro-optical compressor contains a light bulb or LED. This responds to the input signal — a strong signal makes the bulb glow, peaks make the bulb glow brighter. A photocell tracks the bulb and regulates the gain level accordingly. The relatively slow response of the photocell results in an intentional time lag, affecting both the attack and release times.
Unless cruelly mistreated, electro-optical compressors sound smooth and natural.
