McDSP - CompressorBank Native

McDSP CompressorBank is a compressor you can shape into many others. Alongside the usual controls, its Knee and Bite controls and multiple peak detection circuits let it behave like anything from a smooth opto to a punchy VCA. It's for engineers who like to dig into how a compressor responds.

Knee and Bite

Knee does more than soften the curve: it lets you morph between compressor topologies in the style of a dbx 165, a Neve 2254E/33609 or a Teletronix LA-2A, and can add pumping and breathing effects. Bite (Bi-directional Intelligent Transient Enhancement) lets transients pass uncompressed while the overall compression stays the same.

Built to be shaped

Several time-constant circuit types change how peaks are detected and tracked. Side chain support, side chain or in-line pre-filtering and a static/dynamic EQ after the compressor round it out.

The sound

It can be transparent or obvious, depending on how you set it, which is the point. Bite is particularly useful on drums and acoustic guitar, where you want control without losing the attack. It takes a little longer to learn than a one-knob compressor, but rewards it.

Native or HD?

Native runs on your computer in AAX Native, AU and VST3, which is all most studios need. If you mix on Pro Tools HDX or an Avid VENUE S6L, CompressorBank HD adds AAX DSP support.

Features

• Knee control to morph between compressor styles
• Bite control to let transients through
• Multiple time-constant circuit types
• Side chain input with pre-filtering
• Post-compression static/dynamic EQ
• Input, gain reduction and output metering

System requirements

• Version: 7.3
• Mac: macOS 10.13 High Sierra to macOS 26 Tahoe. AAX Native, AU and VST3. Native on Apple Silicon and Intel
• Windows: Windows 10 and 11. AAX Native and VST3
• RAM: not specified by McDSP
• Licence: iLok, on an iLok2 or iLok3 USB key, your computer or iLok Cloud (a free iLok account is needed). Two activations per licence

SOUND7 is an authorised McDSP reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo