Simple UI. Designed specifically with ease of use in mind, it’s the ideal tool for beginner producers to get started with compression as this tends to be one of the points that trip them up the most.

It’s also a great tool for professional producers who are on a strict schedule and who want to get great results in seconds.

• Threshold - Adjust the threshold control to achieve the desired level of compression.
• Tailored Presets - Included are a range of presets tailored to various audio sources, including drum buses, guitars, vocals, bass, and more.
• Auto Gain - Say goodbye to the hassle of manual output volume adjustments. The THR Compactor features auto makeup functionality that not only takes into account the threshold and the ratio, but also the attack, release, and even the knee parameters, ensuring your audio maintains a balanced output level the entire time.
• Oversampling - The THR Compactor offers 4x and 8x oversampling options, reducing aliasing and improving the clarity of your compressed audio.

Advanced UI

The THR Compactor’s Advanced UI goes beyond the basics, offering you a wealth of sophisticated tools that provide you with in-depth control as well as a lot of visual feedback of the compression.

In addition to all of the conventional controls found in a compressor, such as Threshold, Ratio, Knee, Attack, and Release, the Compactor offers a wide and unique set of features:

Auto Parameters

Compactor features multiple automatic parameters to speed up the workflow:

• Automatic Threshold.
• Automatic Attack & Release Times.
• Automatic Knee: sets the knee curve and ratio according to the threshold (Excellent for Vocal processing).

Gain Reduction Limit

Set a maximum limit for gain reduction in dB. This feature guarantees that your audio won’t be compressed over the set limit (works really well when combined with the Auto Threshold).

Histogram

Keep an eye on your audio levels with a comprehensive histogram that visually represents the input, compression, and post-compression audio levels.

Knee Visualization

Understand and control the knee of your compression with a visual representation, enabling you to fine-tune the compression transition for a smooth and natural audio response.

Release Hold

Set a hold time in Milliseconds to control how long Compactor should hold the release before letting go.

Tempo-Sync

Compactor can synchronize the release time to the tracks’ BPM.

• Sync Release to the Host’s Tempo: Align the release time with the host’s Bpm and then set the release time by selecting from various time intervals, ranging from 1/1 notes to 1/32, for unparalleled timing precision.
• Manual BPM Setting: If you prefer manual control, set the release time based on your desired BPM by manually entering it and then you can use the same time intervals (1/1 to 1/32) to control the release time.
• Sync Release Hold: Create unique and rhythmic compression patterns by holding the release for a defined period, then releasing it for the same duration. Choose from various time intervals, ranging from 1/1 to 1/32, to add creative flair to your audio. This feature can be used to create the typical “pumping” effect achieved when sidechaining, but you can now do so without having to set up the entire sidechain, which depending on the DAW might take some time.

Oversampling

Compactor offers 4x and 8x oversampling options, reducing aliasing and improving the clarity of your compressed audio.

Ext S/C

Use an external audio source to trigger Compactor and create pumping or ducking effects.

The Auto Threshold feature averages the input level for a second and sets the threshold accordingly. This feature is really useful for transitions between loud and quiet parts since Compactor will keep compressing the signal even if it drops by 10dB or more, and the amount of gain reduction will remain the same even if the input level is significantly lower than before.

This feature works really well in conjunction with the “Limit Gain Reduction” parameter since the compressor will follow the input signal but never overly compress it!

Why use Compactor?

Compression is one of those concepts that is often misunderstood in audio, especially for anyone who is just getting started in their audio production journey.

Most Compressor plugins are either too simple, or too complex and advanced, and Compactor strikes the perfect balance:

Beginners can use the Simple UI and rely on the included presets and Auto Gain to get the perfect Compression, while Advanced Users can use all of the in-depth features offered in the advanced section.

Not only that, but Compactor is a great tool for beginners to transition into a more advanced workflow since it offers the best of both worlds.

Oversampling Results

The standard method for testing oversampling is using spectral analysis to view the effect of compression on a sine sweep to check for aliasing. Here are the results for Compactor:

Windows
7 and up as 64-bit VST3, and 64-bit AAX.

Mac OS
10.15 Catalina and higher as VST3, AU, and AAX, Intel, and Native M1/2.