Multi-Comp

Multi-mode dynamics compressor

Available Now

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 inspired by legendary hardware units. 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

Vintage Opto mode

  • Smooth, program-dependent optical compression
  • Photocell-style attack/release characteristics
  • Peak Reduction control for classic opto workflow
  • Compress/Limit modes
  • Perfect for vocals, bass, and mix bus

Vintage FET

Vintage FET mode

  • Aggressive, punchy FET compression
  • Classic ratio buttons: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
  • All-Buttons mode for the famous “British Mode” distortion
  • Ultra-fast attack times (20μs minimum)
  • Authentic transistor saturation

Classic VCA

Classic VCA mode

  • Fast, precise VCA compression
  • Soft knee option for gentle compression
  • Clean, transparent compression
  • Excellent for drums and percussion

Bus Compressor

Bus Compressor mode

  • Stepped attack times (0.1 to 30ms)
  • Stepped release with Auto mode
  • Classic mix bus “glue”
  • 2:1 to 10:1 ratio range

Studio FET

Studio FET mode

  • Cleaner FET with 30% of Vintage harmonics
  • Modern FET sound with less coloration
  • Same fast attack characteristics

Studio VCA

Studio VCA mode

  • Modern VCA with RMS detection
  • Soft knee option
  • Ultra-clean compression
  • Great for mastering

Digital

Digital mode

  • Transparent, precise compression
  • No coloration or saturation
  • Perfect for surgical dynamics control
  • Ideal for reference monitoring

Multiband

Multiband mode

  • 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:

Mode Input Transformer Output Transformer
Vintage Opto 18kHz rolloff 16kHz rolloff
Vintage FET 20kHz rolloff 22kHz rolloff
Bus 22kHz rolloff 24kHz rolloff
VCA/Digital None (transparent) None (transparent)

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 tube stage modeling
  • FET mode captures the characteristic transistor saturation
  • All analog modes include harmonic generation based on hardware measurements

Factory Presets

Multi-Comp includes 13 professionally crafted presets:

Vocals

Preset Mode Description
Smooth Opto Vocal Opto Classic optical style, Peak Reduction 50%, Compress mode
Vocal Presence Vintage FET 4:1, Attack 0.5ms, Release 60ms — punchy presence
Modern Pop Control Studio FET 8:1, Attack 0.3ms, Auto-makeup — fast modern control

Drums

Preset Mode Description
Classic Drum Glue Bus Attack 30ms, Release Auto, 4:1 — classic bus sound
Room Nuke (FET All) Vintage FET All-buttons-in, Attack 0.8ms, Release 50ms — room destruction
Snare Snap Classic VCA Attack 15ms, Release 50ms, 4:1 — punchy snare

Bass

Preset Mode Description
Rock Bass Anchor Vintage FET 4:1, Attack 0.8ms, Release 250ms — solid foundation
Vintage Pinned Bass Opto Peak Reduction 65% — classic Motown style

Guitars

Preset Mode Description
Acoustic Strum Tamer Studio VCA 3:1, Attack 2ms, Pristine saturation — pick spike control
Funk Rhythm Guitar Vintage FET 4:1, Attack 0.3ms, Release 50ms — funky pumping

Mix Bus

Preset Mode Description
Console-Style Glue Bus Attack 10ms, Release Auto, 4:1 — classic mix bus glue
Gentle Master Studio VCA 1.5:1, Attack 30ms, Pristine — transparent mastering

Creative

Preset Mode Description
EDM Pump (115-130 BPM) Vintage FET 20:1, Attack 0.1ms, Release 250ms — sidechain pumping

Technical Specifications

DSP Details

  • Topology: Mode-specific analog modeling
  • Oversampling: 2x/4x for alias-free saturation
  • 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.

Features

  • 8 compression modes (Vintage Opto, Vintage FET, Classic VCA, Bus, Studio FET, Studio VCA, Digital, Multiband)
  • 4-band multiband compression with adjustable crossovers
  • Smooth optical compression with program-dependent release
  • FET compression with All-Buttons mode
  • Bus compressor emulation with Auto Release
  • VCA compression with soft knee option
  • Hardware-accurate transformer emulation with authentic HF rolloff
  • Analog noise toggle (-80dB floor for authentic character)
  • Per-band solo buttons and gain reduction meters (Multiband mode)
  • Global sidechain HP filter (20-500Hz)
  • External sidechain input support
  • Auto-makeup gain compensation
  • Output distortion (Soft/Hard/Clip)
  • Mix control for parallel compression
  • 2x/4x oversampling for anti-aliased processing
  • 13 factory presets
  • Full automation support

Changelog

v1.0.1 2026-01-07

  • Fixed Linux release packaging (proper VST3/LV2 bundle structure)
  • Added missing AU component for macOS
  • Improved installation instructions

v1.0.0 2026-01-03

  • Initial release with VST3/LV2/AU support
  • 7 compression modes plus multiband
  • 13 factory presets
  • Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS