The vocal compressors I actually use (and why LA-2A isn't one)

My relationship with vocal compression has changed considerably over time. I spent literal years banging my head against the wall with vocals until I finally started to understand a few key things and started using the right tools.

These are the tools I’m using today for this job. Just what’s working for me right now (it may change next year).

Waves RVox

You could call it a dinosaur, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But I love it as the first compressor in the chain.

It has a long soft knee and does a fantastic job of gently rounding out the vocal before things get serious. It just smooths things in a very musical way. Old, simple, effective. Still a killer starting point.

Blue-plate 1176: Waves and UAD

I’m talking about both the Waves CLA-76 and the UAD 1176 Rev A. Which one I use depends on the job.

For insert vocal compression, I usually reach for the CLA-76. It has more character, more colour, and really leaves a fingerprint on the vocal, in a good way. It’s the “classic” tone you hear on countless hit songs.

Quick win: the newer versions added auto make-up gain. Before that you had to do it manually, which was less fun.

For parallel vocal compression, I always go with the UAD version. Why? I feel it’s a bit cleaner, sparklier and brighter. And while I love the colour of the Waves one on inserts, a slightly different character on the parallel enhances the overall 1176 vibe and makes it more “complex”.

UAD Empirical Labs Distressor

Another absolute essential in my digital compressor library.

When the blue 1176 doesn’t quite work, especially in more aggressive genres like rap or trap, this is usually my next stop. And more often than not, it just works.

It’s by far the best emulation of the original analog Distressor I’ve heard. Nothing else I’ve tried has beaten it in tone and behaviour. That said, Arousor came pretty close. I used it for a long time while waiting for a fully native (non-DSP) Distressor, and I got great results with it.

Just be mindful of the low-mid tone this compressor adds. It doesn’t fit every kind of vocal, but whenever it does, it’s magic.

McDSP MC2000

Now we step into multiband compression territory. No contest here: MC2000 takes the crown with very little competition.

When I’ve already compressed the vocal and want to apply multiband compression, on a single vocal or a vocal group, this is my one and only. If you’re using Pro-MB for vocal compression, reconsider your choices, my friend.

Another great alternative for me would be Waves C4 and C6. Different vibe, but they still give you that pop vocal tone we’re all used to.

Honourable mention: DynAssist

It is not a compressor. Or is it?

DynAssist has saved me a ridiculous amount of time gain-riding vocals. It has massively sped up my workflow and simplified my vocal chain. It automatically reduces breaths and attenuates silent sections.

And yes, it goes right at the beginning of the chain. Before this, I had to stack several plugins and do a lot of manual labour.

Proper gain staging is essential:

• It relaxes the compressors.
• It keeps the vocal from jumping all over the place.
• It makes everything sound more natural and controlled.