Native Instruments - NI Vintage Compressor

STUDIO LEGENDS

  • VC 76 — Fast, punchy FET compressor
  • VC 2A — Smooth, warm optical compressor
  • VC 160 — Bold, dirty VCA compressor

COMPRESS TO IMPRESS

Three of the most popular compressors in studio history, with added sidechaining and parallel compression, for legendary character!

THE VINTAGE ADVANTAGE

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS and Softube present VINTAGE COMPRESSORS —painstakingly accurate emulations of three of the most heavily-used compressors in studio history.

The VC 76, VC 2A, and VC 160 feature a modern, clean design for intuitive usability while each maintains its own unmistakable sound. Thanks to added sidechaining and parallel compression, these VINTAGE COMPRESSORS actually improve on the originals.

The VINTAGE COMPRESSORS collection includes all three devices. Each compressor is also available separately. All effects run as native plug-ins in your host DAW.

THREE'S COMPANY

Each of the three compressors has its own unique character and specific advantages:

  • VC 76: Workhorse compressor with a fast attack. Great presence, punchy, clear high end. Good for drums, vocals or stereo limiting.
  • VC 2A: Smooth compressor with a silky, natural sound. Great on vocals, bass, pads and guitar.
  • VC 160: Classic compressor for added attack and a subtle drive. Especially good on kickdrum, snare, bass or guitar.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING

All three VINTAGE COMPRESSORS come with an added sidechain input. This essential enhancement provides much more than the characteristic ducking/pumping sound, allowing a wide range of creative compression techniques. Each VINTAGE COMPRESSOR also provides a dry control, for applying parallel compression.

Read more about compression, and what you can do with it, in About Compression.

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.

ARTISTS ON VINTAGE COMPRESSORS

"What I liked about these compressors was their sound: there's a certain warmth I have only ever got by using real valves."

Howie B. (worked with Tricky, U2, ...)

"I have been striving to achieve that raw almost analog tape fatness to my music and adding the vintage compressors to my signal path is giving me that feel and punch and warmth I'm looking for."

Che Pope (worked with Mary J. BLige, Lauryn Hill, ...)

"I've been using them in place of my usual compressor chains, and I must say they are very impressive!"

Marius de Vries (worked with Brian Eno, Bjork, ...)

"They all have tons of character and punch, and sound very musical across a variety of sources."

Graham Archer (Sarm Studios, one of Trevor Horn's top engineers)