Multi-Comp

Multi-Comp is a professional multi-mode dynamics compressor that brings classic hardware compression styles to your DAW — completely free.

Overview

Multi-Comp provides 8 distinct compression modes, each capturing the character of classic hardware designs:

• Vintage Opto — Classic tube optical leveling amplifier
• Vintage FET — Vintage FET limiter with All-Buttons mode
• Classic VCA — Punchy 1970s VCA with soft knee
• Bus Compressor — British console bus compressor
• Studio FET — Cleaner, modern FET limiter
• Studio VCA — Modern British dual VCA compressor
• Digital — Transparent, precise digital compression
• Multiband — 4-band with Linkwitz-Riley crossovers

From smooth optical compression to aggressive FET limiting, and from precise digital control to powerful multiband processing — Multi-Comp covers every dynamics need.

Compression Modes

Vintage Opto

Classic 1960s tube optical leveling amplifier. This design defined the sound of smooth, musical compression and remains a studio standard for vocals and bass.

• Program-dependent attack/release via T4 optical cell emulation
• Peak Reduction control for classic opto workflow
• Compress/Limit modes
• Tube stage modeling with authentic harmonic character
• Perfect for vocals, bass, and mix bus

Vintage FET

Classic late-1960s FET limiting amplifier. All-discrete Class A design known for its aggressive, punchy character and ultra-fast response.

• Classic ratio buttons: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
• All-Buttons mode for the famous extreme compression/distortion
• Ultra-fast attack times (20μs minimum)
• Authentic transistor saturation with input/output transformer modeling

Classic VCA

Punchy, aggressive 1970s VCA compressor with soft-knee compression. A studio workhorse for drums and percussive sources.

• Fast, precise VCA compression
• OverEasy soft knee option for gentle compression
• Clean, transparent compression with punch
• Excellent for drums and percussion

Bus Compressor

The quintessential British console bus compressor. Found on virtually every major mixing console, it’s the secret weapon for mix bus “glue.”

• Stepped attack times (0.1 to 30ms) matching the original detents
• Stepped release with Auto mode
• Classic mix bus “glue” character
• 2:1, 4:1, and 10:1 ratio settings

Studio FET

Later revision FET limiter, offering a cleaner, more refined sound while retaining the fast FET response.

• Cleaner character with ~30% of Vintage harmonics
• More controlled transient response
• Same ultra-fast attack characteristics
• Better suited for modern, cleaner productions

Studio VCA

Modern British dual VCA compressor known for its clean, musical compression. A favorite for vocals and mix bus applications where transparency is key.

• RMS detection for musical response
• Soft knee option
• Ultra-clean compression with minimal coloration
• Excellent for vocals and mastering

Digital

Transparent, mathematically precise digital compression with zero coloration. When you need surgical dynamics control without any hardware character.

• Accurate peak/RMS detection
• No coloration or saturation
• Perfect for surgical dynamics control
• Ideal when transparency is paramount

Multiband

Professional 4-band multiband compressor with Linkwitz-Riley crossovers for phase-coherent band splitting.

• 4 frequency bands (Low, Lo-Mid, Hi-Mid, High)
• Adjustable crossover frequencies
• Per-band threshold, ratio, attack, release, makeup
• Per-band solo buttons
• LED-style gain reduction meters per band

Analog Emulation

Multi-Comp features hardware-accurate analog emulation that captures the authentic character of classic compressors:

Transformer Emulation

Each vintage mode includes input and output transformer modeling with authentic high-frequency characteristics:

Analog Noise

Toggle the “Analog Noise” button to add subtle -80dB analog noise floor, matching the authentic character of hardware units. Disable for completely silent digital behavior.

Tube and Saturation

• Opto mode includes T4 optical cell and tube stage modeling
• FET mode captures the characteristic Class A transistor saturation
• Bus mode includes the distinctive VCA coloration of classic British consoles
• All analog modes include harmonic generation based on hardware measurements

Factory Presets

Multi-Comp includes 13 professionally crafted presets:

Vocals

Drums

Bass

Guitars

Mix Bus

Creative

Technical Specifications

DSP Details

• Topology: Mode-specific analog modeling
• Oversampling: Off/2x/4x for alias-free saturation (or bypass for CPU savings)
• Sidechain: Internal HP filter + external input support
• Lookahead: 0-10ms global lookahead buffer
• Stereo linking: Full stereo processing with linked GR

Parameter Ranges

• Opto Peak Reduction: 0–100%
• FET Input/Output: Various per mode
• Attack: 0.02ms – 100ms (mode dependent)
• Release: 50ms – 3s (mode dependent)
• Ratio: 1:1 – ∞:1 (mode dependent)
• Sidechain HP: 20–500Hz
• Mix: 0–100% (parallel compression)

Performance

• CPU usage: ~2-4% per instance (2x oversampling, 48kHz)
• Memory: ~15MB per instance
• Latency: Variable based on lookahead/oversampling settings

DAW Compatibility

Fully Tested

• Reaper — VST3/LV2, all features working
• Ardour — LV2 with full GUI
• Bitwig Studio — VST3, presets working
• Carla — VST3/LV2, standalone host
• Standalone — JUCE standalone application

Expected to Work

• Studio One, FL Studio
• Ableton Live, Cubase/Nuendo
• Logic Pro, GarageBand (AU on macOS)

Installation

Linux

VST3: ~/.vst3/Multi-Comp.vst3
LV2:  ~/.lv2/Multi-Comp.lv2

Windows

VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Multi-Comp.vst3

macOS

VST3: ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Multi-Comp.vst3
AU:   ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Multi-Comp.component

Open Source

Multi-Comp is open source under GPL-2.0. View the source, report issues, or contribute on GitHub.