NATIVE INSTRUMENTS and Softube present VINTAGE COMPRESSORS — the first in a new range of professional studio effects.

The VC 76, VC 2A and VC 160 are painstakingly accurate emulations of three of the most heavily-used compressors in studio history. Each has its own unmistakable sound, and thanks to added sidechaining and parallel compression, these VINTAGE COMPRESSORS actually improve on the originals.

The VINTAGE COMPRESSORS collection provides all three devices — each compressor is also available separately.

These effects run in the freeGUITAR RIG 5 PLAYER andGUITAR RIG 5 PRO.

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.
  Find out more...


• VC 2A: Smooth compressor with a silky, natural sound. Great on vocals, bass, pads and guitar.
  Find out more...


• VC 160: Classic compressor for added attack and a subtle drive. Especially good on kickdrum, snare, bass or guitar.
  Find out more...

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 wet/dry control, for applying parallel compression.

The VC 160 and the VC 2A have an additional Low-Cut dial. It effectively tells the compressor to ignore (i.e. not to compress) anything below the set frequency. This helps to avoid over-compression caused by heavy bass impulses.

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

VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is produced in collaboration withSoftube.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.

The VINTAGE COMPRESSORS run in the freeGUITAR RIG 5 PLAYER orGUITAR RIG 5 PRO, allowing you to enhance VINTAGE COMPRESSORS with a wealth of onboard effects. Chain VINTAGE COMPRESSORS together with an EQ to create your own channel strip, or experiment with complex, custom effect chains.

"I really like VC 76. I'm very fussy with my plug ins but this could probably be my go to plug in compressor. Excellent"!
Tim Goldsworthy

"The biggest excitement for me was the VC 160 included. This is without doubt my weapon of choice for a lot of compression duties."
Robbie Bronnimann

"What I liked about these compressors was their sound: there's a certain warmth I have only ever got by using real valves. Vintage Compressors have found a home in my studio."
Howie B.

Read all artist quotes...