Plugin Boutique are offering an intro offer on the new Icons: The Compressor Collection by Softube including deals on the individual plugins included in the collection. The Collection itself is available for £175.62 / $216.10, increasing to £263.89 / $324.72. The offer ends March 1st.
The compressors are:
- FET Compressor MK II
- OPTO Compressor
- VCA Compressor
Classic, legendary… iconic. The compressors in this collection—FET Compressor Mk II, OPTO Compressor, and VCA Compressor—are modeled on three of the most popular, most used compressors in the world. Important and influential gear that set a standard in the ‘60s and ’70s and never stopped. Outstanding then, outstanding now. Even more so.
That’s because Softube have added features fit for current times. From Drive and the Stereo Link switch to the Sidechain section, this set gives you more control and tailoring capabilities than before. Icons: The Compressor Collection is an indispensable mix of modeling authenticity and modern workflow. It’s destined to be a studio star in its own right.
Softube have been emulating professional audio gear for two decades. With partnerships with premium brands like Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited, and Marshall Amplification, they have a strong record of accurately recreating analog standards in software form.
Icons: The Compressor Collection builds on this legacy. The included plug-ins deliver nothing less than the same classic character as the original hardware, superior sound quality, and added modern features.
Softube modeled FET Compressor Mk II, OPTO Compressor, and VCA Compressor to capture every characteristic of the legendary originals. From the “fastest compressor in the world” to the storied tube-based optical compressor and the snappy, super popular snare drum comp. Icons gives you the power of three superstar compressors with three distinct gain reduction technologies in one collection.
FET Compressor MK2
Launched as the “fastest compressor in the world” with a 20-microsecond attack time, the classic hardware Softube modeled FET Compressor Mk II on is exceedingly popular and heard on countless hit recordings. With a FET gain reduction stage, Class A solid-state amplifiers, input and output transformers, beloved aggression, and tasty distortion, it’s easy to see why. The FET Compressor Mk II keeps that original sound and character while supporting a DAW-based workflow. There may be more than 1176 emulations of this compressor on the market, but only their meticulously remodeled FET Compressor Mk II features Softube sound quality, extra features, and added control.
FET Compressor Mk II gives you the lightning-quick, in-your-face character of the hardware, plus more modern features for a DAW-based workflow. You can use the two different drives, FET and transformer, together or separately. Dry/Wet, and a Sidechain section deliver more control and increased usability for mixing and mastering. With Stereo Link, you can toggle from Stereo Linked mode, with linked Left and Right gain reduction, to Unlinked Dual Mono for independent gain reduction for Left and Right channels. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to offset the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources as varied as vocals, snares, kick drums, guitars, and more.
OPTO Compressor
The hardware Softube modeled OPTO Compressor on is lauded as the most classic compressor. It’s well-known for its nuanced tube character and how it delicately enhances the fainter parts of a performance in a natural-sounding way. While the warm and smooth tones remain, OPTO Compressor offers some crucial, new DAW-friendly features.
Their OPTO Compressor plug-in ensures that you get the legendary magic of the early-60s T4 Opto Cell original, plus the added control and flexibility of a modern mixing and production workflow. All with Softube-quality sound.
OPTO Compressor offers the slow attack and smooth character of pro audio’s go-to optical tube compressor, plus added modern features for a DAW-based workflow. Dry/Wet and a Sidechain section deliver more control and improved versatility for mixing and mastering. Drive allows you to decide the amount of distortion and character of the original unit separately from the gain reduction, making OPTO Compressor more useful in a mixing situation than the original hardware. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to compensate for the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources. With the Stereo Link switch, you can toggle from Stereo Linked mode, with linked Left and Right gain reduction, to Unlinked Dual Mono for independent gain reduction for Left and Right channels. OPTO Compressor is perfect for vocals, guitar, and bass or as a second gain reduction stage after the FET Compressor Mk II on a vocal track.
VCA Compressor
Quirky and characterful, the legendary hardware Softube used to model their VCA Compressor is unique and highly acclaimed. Much of that is owed to its famed hard knee compression curve and the harmonic content it adds in the gain stages.
They left the grabby, vintage character and unique attributes—such as RMS level detection and feed-forward gain reduction—intact but gave VCA Compressor a slate of modern features for mixing and production. The combination delivers snap and sheen in spades, plus superior Softube sound quality and an enhanced workflow.
VCA Compressor delivers the snappy, analog character beloved by many, plus DAW-friendly attributes and expanded parameters. The added Sidechain section (with punch, filter, and external gain) and Dry/Wet. Drive gives you the possibility to add more harmonic content. With Stereo Link, you can toggle from Stereo Linked mode, with linked Left and Right gain reduction, to Unlinked Dual Mono for independent gain reduction for Left and Right channels. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to offset the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources. It’s the go-to comp for a snappier snare sound, but it is also excellent for adding texture, sheen, and attack to guitars, as well as low-end glue and weight on bass sounds.
The Icons Compressot collection is available to PC and Mac users (VST2, VST3, AU and AAX) and requires an iLok account.
For more information on Icons: The Compressor Collection, click here:
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