Compressors & Limiters

Compressors and limiters are essential dynamics processors used throughout recording, mixing and mastering. From early valve and variable-mu designs to FET, VCA and optical circuits, hardware compressors have shaped the control, punch and tonal character of recorded sound across decades of studio production.

This archive covers both vintage studio compressors and modern hardware designs, including faithful recreations and contemporary interpretations of classic circuits. From original units produced in the 1960s and 1970s to current production models and replicas, these dynamics processors remain central to professional studio workflows.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 2011 /

Capitol CM5511 Mastering Compressor

The Capitol CM5511 is a custom-built two-channel valve compressor developed specifically for Capitol Studios and completed in 2011. Designed by Capitol mastering engineer and technician Ian Sefchick, it was created to provide Capitol’s four mastering rooms with a consistent, purpose-built dynamics processor combining a valve gain-reduction stage with a solid-state output section. Only four CM5511 compressors were manufactured, making the hardware an exclusively in-house Capitol Studios processor rather than a commercially available product.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 2011 /

dbx 160SL Compressor/Limiter

Compression Type: VCA

The dbx160SL is a 2U stereo Compressor/Limiter in the tradition of the industry standard dbx160. The signal path consists of a high precision input stage followed by the worlds widest dynamic range voltage-controlled amplifier – the dbx V8™ VCA – and then an output stage with phenomenal performance.

Explore the full dbx 160 Series Series

Made In U.K.

Released in 2011 /

Drawmer 1968 MkII Dual Vacuum Tube Compressor

Compression Type: FET

The Drawmer 1968 MkII is a 1U stereo bus compressor combining J-FET gain reduction with a 12AX7 tube stage for smooth, transparent compression. It offers six attack and six release options, full sidechain access, and unique ‘BIG’ and ‘BIGGER’ modes that preserve low-end clarity while preventing pumping.

Explore the full Drawmer 1960s Series Series

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 2011 /

AnaMod 670 Stereo Limiter

Compression Type: Variable-Mu

The AnaMod 670 Stereo Limiter offers Classic Variable-Mu compression profile and vintage tone with three modes of compression and limiting, with six original 670 time constants plus two new variations.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 2012 /

Crane Song Titan Compressor Limiter

Compression Type: Pulse Width Modulation

The Crane Song Titan is an analog compressor-limiter with a very large range of color and control choices that has reset-ability

Made In Australia

Released in 2012 /

Sebatron SMAC Stereo Compressor

Compression Type: Optical

The Sebatron SMAC is a stereo optical compressor with Class A discrete circuitry, dual-servo gain reduction, stereo linking, and wide dynamic control for mixing, mastering, and tracking.

Made In U.S.A.

Released in 2013 /

Chandler Limited Zener Limiter

Compression Type: Zener Diode

The Chandler Limited Zener Limiter was conceived by Chandler Limited designer Wade Goeke and is based on the vintage EMI circuits used to record The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Made In U.K.

Released in 2013 /

Cartec Audio THC Mastering Compressor

Compression Type: Variable-Transconductance Valve

The Cartec Audio THC (Tone Harmonic Compressor) is a two-channel hybrid compressor that employs eight tubes and four discrete amplifiers to achieve a unique level of control over dynamic range, harmonic distortion content, and tonal balance.

Made In U.K.

Released in 2013 /

Neve 2264A LB Limiter Compressor

The Neve 2264A LB Limiter/Compressor is the influential and revered classic in a compact 500 series format.

Made In Denmark

Released in 2013 /

Gyraf Audio G22 Vari-Mu Compressor

Compression Type: Variable-Mu

Gyraf Audio G22 is an elaborated and dual’ified version of our venerable G10 vari-mu compressor. This incarnation allows it to be dual-mono, while still keeping a backwards-compatibility “G10 mode” where one set of knobs controls real stereo compression, like you’d want most of the time in mastering.

Made In Taiwan

Released in 2014 /

Fredenstein F200 2-Channel Microphone Preamplifier + Compressor

Compression Type: FET

The Fredenstein F200 is a compact, high‑gain dual‑channel mic‑pre and FET compressor offering flexible signal routing, comprehensive control, and parallel processing capabilities, ideal for studio or touring applications.

Made In U.K.

Released in 2014 /

Chiswick Reach 20th Anniversary Edition Stereo Valve Compressor

Compression Type: Sidechain-Controlled Valve

The Chiswick Reach 20th Anniversary Edition Stereo Valve Compressor is all transformer coupled, all valve signal path topology, operating in true balanced class A mode. All hand wired – no PCB, valve rectification, includes sidechain modification with hi-pass filter and illuminated meters by SIFAM.