11 Classic Compressors

The compressor is one of an engineer’s most commonly reached-for tools. Although there have been plenty of innovations with regard to compressor designs over the past several decades, it’s the classics — the LA-2A, 1176LN, Distressor, API, Neve, Fairchild, and other time-proven units — that inspire us the most. In this article, we’ll explore 11 tried-and-true compressors that you’ll find in countless large-scale production facilities and project studios all over the world. Every compressor on this list is a certified classic, and any one of them is guaranteed to level up your productions — and if you own them all, you’re truly playing in the big leagues.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling AmplifierEmpirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor/LimiterAPI 2500+ Stereo Bus CompressorNeve 33609/N Discrete Stereo Compressor/LimiterManley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor LimiterFairchild 660 & 670 Tube Compressor/LimiterUniversal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting AmplifierChandler Limited TG12413 Zener LimiterSolid State Logic 4000 G Series Bus CompressorSta-Level Tube CompressorThere’s Always Software, Too

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

The iconic tube opto compressor

Want to make a track sound better? If so, then it’s an easy fix — just patch in a Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A classic leveling amplifier. This renowned compressor’s tube-fueled optical attenuation circuit has a magical way of injecting ear-grabbing harmonic girth into a sound without audible distortion. Whether you’re smoothing out vocals, leveling a bass guitar, or adding analog magic to your digital samples, the LA-2A guarantees sonic perfection. What’s more, the LA-2A is a breeze to dial in, thanks to its straightforward 2-knob interface and program-dependent behavior. Any engineer searching for a “magic bullet” piece of hardware will appreciate the beloved dynamics-control prowess of the Universal Audio LA-2A.

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Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor/Limiter

Jack-of-all-trades, master of all

Engineers looking to add a top-shelf piece of hardware to their racks should put the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor compressor/limiter at the top of their lists — it’s a true modern classic. The Distressor contains eight unique curves, arming you with gentle warming with low-order harmonics, classic knee compression, opto-style dynamics control, brutal brickwall limiting, and more. You also get several modes of analog distortion for warming up your digital tracks and advanced sidechain EQing for tailoring the compressor’s behavior. There’s a reason why the Empirical Labs Distressor is on pretty much every high-profile engineer’s desert island gear list: it does it all, and it does it well.

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API 2500+ Stereo Bus Compressor

Adds punch and aggression to your mix bus

Are your mixes missing that “special something”? If so, then the API 2500+ Stereo Bus Compressor will infuse them with the aggressive punch and “slam factor” of a legendary API console. The company’s most coveted features are included, such as its patented THRUST circuit as well as its selectable feedback and feed-forward compression. You also get multiple parallel compression options, three knee settings, variable release times, sidechaining, and selectable automatic makeup gain. Variable left/right channel linking enables you to use the 2500+ for either stereo or dual-mono processing. Laden with API 2520 op-amps, the 2500+ includes hardwire bypass. The API 2500+ is one of the easiest ways to give your mixes a pro-quality sheen.

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Neve 33609/N Discrete Stereo Compressor/Limiter

Lends instant warmth, cohesion, and dimension to your mixes

Many engineers consider the 1970s “the Golden Age of Analog,” and Rupert Neve’s incomparable analog designs were at the center of it all. Meticulously designed according to exacting 1970s specifications, the Neve 33609/N discrete stereo compressor/limiter represents the apex of studio outboard gear. The 33609/N brandishes a discrete Class A design for unmatched fidelity, along with handwired Neve Marinair transformers to inject your mixes with a healthy dose of authentic British iron. This fabulous piece of hardware includes an independently selectable brickwall-style limiter and versatile compressor that can be used independently or in series, along with fast and slow attack options and a pre-limiter gain makeup control. Moreover, you can deploy the 33609/N in either stereo or dual-mono applications. The Neve 33609/N is guaranteed to breathe new life into your stale mixes.

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Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter

Achieve all-tube, transformer-coupled bliss

A favorite among top-tier recording engineers is the Manley Variable Mu stereo compressor limiter — it’s your one-stop shop for professional, radio-ready productions. The Vari-Mu excels at every application you throw at it: tracking, mixing, mastering, etc. This hardware compressor’s all-tube, transformer-coupled design is built to exceed expectations and doesn’t disappoint. It also tackles individual tracks, stems, and full stereo mixes with equal aplomb. The Vari-Mu can be set to soft-knee compression, hard-knee limiting, and every point in between, and its separate threshold, attack, recovery, and output controls offer all the control you need to make short work of any dual-mono or stereo material. You also get an immensely useful highpass sidechain, plus a hardwire bypass for honest before-and-after comparisons. The Manley Variable Mu is the surefire cure for uninspiring recordings.

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Fairchild 660 & 670 Tube Compressor/Limiter

The Grand Poobah of compressors

For 60 years and counting, engineers far and wide have coveted the iconic Fairchild. In fact, many professionals consider the Fairchild to be the greatest compressor of all time. Fairchilds were available in two variants: the mono 660 and stereo 670. With less than 1,000 units ever produced, you’ll have a difficult time tracking down one of these units — and even more difficulty affording it (we recently spotted a 670 for sale for $325,000!).

Luckily for you, Heritage Audio ensures that you don’t need to track down one of these rare, prohibitively expensive, overweight tube compressors to get the legendary sound you crave. Enter: the Heritage Audio Herchild HA660 mono tube compressor and Herchild HA670 stereo tube compressor. These exquisite pieces of hardware faithfully re-create the 660 and 670, respectively, supplying the same sought-after sonics and program-dependent characteristics as the originals but with modern reliability, at half the weight, and at a fraction of the vintage units’ price tags.

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Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

One of the most ubiquitous studio tools ever

You’ll find nary a professional recording studio without at least one Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier in its rack — it’s that ubiquitous. Armed with a Class A output stage and a custom overwound transformer, the 1176LN boasts hyper-fast attack and release times, along with ear-grabbing saturation if you drive it hard. This FET-fueled dynamo features intuitive input, output, attack, and release knobs, as well as four push-button-selectable ratios. And, of course, this unit’s secret weapon is its “All Buttons In,” or “Nuke,” mode, which is deployed by engaging all four ratio buttons simultaneously, arming you with a signal-mangling distortion that’s impossible to resist when properly applied. The Universal Audio 1176LN is a must-have piece of hardware for everyone who’s serious about recording.

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Chandler Limited TG12413 Zener Limiter

Brings Abbey Road vibes to your studio

Abbey Road Studios is arguably the most famous recording studio in the world. Based on the EMI circuits used to record the Beatles and Pink Floyd, the Chandler Limited TG12413 Zener Limiter faithfully re-creates the classic Abbey Road sound. The TG12413 delivers the sound of Abbey Road’s most oft-used hardware units, equipping you with gentle compression reminiscent of the studio’s Altec 436/RS124, limiting similar to a Fairchild 660, and a new setting that sits somewhere between the two. The Chandler Limited TG12413 Zener Limiter is your one-way ticket to huge, punchy mixes that hit like the classic albums of yesteryear.

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Solid State Logic 4000 G Series Bus Compressor

Gives your mix that elusive, magical “glue”

The Solid State Logic Bus Comp is, without a doubt, the most popular master bus compressor in the world, as it’s used by countless engineers to add the final “glue” to their mixes. Originally part of the center section on the SSL 4000 B console in 1976, the SSL Bus Comp has been a mainstay in professional studios ever since. The most popular iteration of this hardware is arguably the SSL 4000 G Series model, which was introduced in 1987.

The Solid State Logic Bus+ 2-channel bus compressor is arguably the ultimate incarnation of the SSL Bus Comp, supplying you with multiple compression modes based on historical iterations of SSL’s venerated processor, along with a 2-band dynamic EQ, external sidechaining, four channel modes, instant parallel compression, and a whole lot of other functions not available on any other iteration of the SSL Bus Comp. This is one of the most feature-laden bus processors we’ve ever seen here at Sweetwater.

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Sta-Level Tube Compressor

A lesser-known classic to turbocharge your productions

While it’s not an especially well-known piece of hardware, the Gates Sta-Level was red hot when it was released in 1956, and for those in the know, it was an absolute gem. The Retro Instruments Sta-Level tube compressor is a modern re-creation of this stellar piece of tube-filled gear, yielding a unique program-controlled release circuit and up to 40dB of gain reduction. The Sta-Level sounds great on everything — basses, vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, pianos — imbuing them with intimacy, warmth, and air. While the Sta-Level’s 2-knob interface often invites comparisons to the Teletronix LA-2A, it’s important to note that there are few, if any, sonic similarities between the two. The Sta-Level is a legend in its own right, and it’s guaranteed to elevate your productions.

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There’s Always Software, Too

One of the greatest things about recording these days is plug-ins, especially compressor plug-ins. All those hardware pieces that are either crazy expensive or unavailable are now available as plug-ins. And they sound shockingly good. From Distressor to LA-2A, 33609 to CL 1A, Sweetwater carries software equivalents of most of the compressors mentioned here. Take a look at all the options below.

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Sweetwater Has Your Next Compressor

What’s your favorite compressor? Did it make our list? If you have any questions or are still shopping for a compressor, then reach out to one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700, and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.

10 Top-of-the-line Compressors – Part 1

10 Top-of-the-line Compressors – Part 2

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