Best Mastering Compressor Plugins: The Only 5 to Consider!

Last updated on February 2nd, 2024 at 11:02 am

Mastering compressors are the most important tool you can use to give your mix the final touch it needs, especially when trying to glue the mix together and make everything sound more cohesive.

In this article, I will be listing the absolute best compressor plugins you can use to master your mix. I have tested all of them extensively (and many others as well), ran a series of tests that you can find more info about below, and these are the ones I think are worth checking out.

Best Mastering Compressors

Recommended

MB-Control

Cost efficient and fully-featured multiband compressor.

MB-Control

Advanced

TDR Kotelnikov

Advanced compressor with multiple high-quality built-in features.

Kotelnikov

Free

BUSTERse

Free mastering compressor based on analog hardware with a warm sound.

BUSTERse

Testing the Plugins

I will be reviewing these plugins and running them through a series of tests, such as loading as many instances of the plugin as possible before artifacts appear during playback, and more.

Here’s a brief description of the testing process:

• Technical performance: Tested with Pluginval and Auval, loading as many instances of the plugins as possible on different tracks before audio playback is affected, testing oversampling, aliasing, latency, and more factors.
• User experience: From installation to actually using the plugin.
• Sound quality: Self explanatory.
• Economic Factors: Taking the maximum and minimum price of roughly 20 plugins of the same type and comparing that to the price of the plugin.
• Compatibility & Plugin formats.
• Plugin-specific Features: In this case, if they have auto makeup, auto attack and release, sidechain processing, etc.

Learn how the plugin testing process is done here.

Note: I tried a lot more compressors than the ones on this list, but these are the ones I found to be more suitable for most people, be it because of their price-to-performance, or just overall feature set, usability, etc.

THR MB-Control

Multiband compressor with an Intuitive Design

Price: $49.99.

Released at the end of November 2023, the THR MB-Control is a new addition to the plugin market and is designed to make multiband compression as simple and intuitive as possible.

It offers three distinct bands which can be manipulated independently to adjust the way your tracks, buses, or entire mixes sound.

To make things simple, you have access to a handful of ratio, attack, and release values, as well as the option to enable the auto-attack and auto-release functionality, and if you really want your compressor to groove with the music, you can choose to enable the release-sync feature which synchronizes the MB-Controls’ release time to the project’s BPM.

One of the stand out features of MB-Control is its Automatic Gain Makeup functionality: Proper auto makeup gain is quite hard to implement even in regular full-band compressors, not to mention on multiband compressors, but MB-Control does offer this feature which lets you focus on hearing how the compressor is affecting the signal without getting influenced by volume changes.

In addition to this, a saturation module for each band can also be used to add brightness and personality to the sound, and all of this without affecting the output level.

MB-Control also offers external sidechaining compatibility, which allows for advanced compression techniques, such as ducking and pumping effects, as well as 4x and 8x oversampling to reduce aliasing and improve audio quality.

Lastly, a 7-day free-trial is also available.

Notable Features: 

• Auto Makeup per band.
• Saturation.
• Sidechain per band.
• Tempo-synced release.
• Auto attack & and release.

Pros:

• 7-Day Free trial (Full access).
• Intuitive design.
• Clean Sound.

Cons:

• Only one compression style.

Multiband compressors are a great tool to affect the dynamics and the overall frequency content of your mixes where a wide-band compressor just won’t do, and MB-Control makes this as simple as possible.

Get the THR MB-Control here.

Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Kotelnikov GE

Most Cost-efficient Compressor (Harder Learning Curve)!

Price: Free or $44.

The Kotelnikov is a program-dependent compressor that doesn’t emulate any existing hardware compressors and rather focuses on fidelity, meaning that it can vary its response depending on the frequency content or amplitude of the signal.

Aside from the typical compressor controls such as Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release, it comes with individual controls for Release Peak and Release RMS, as well as a Gain Reduction Limit control, which essentially allows you to manually restrict the maximum gain reduction.

The GR Limit is useful when you find the perfect settings for most of the track but in very specific sections the compressor just clamps down on the signal too hard due to sudden volume changes, and this setting prevents it from over compressing the signal.

It also features a “Peak Crest” control which can go from “Peak” all the way to “RMS” detection, and this knob essentially allows you to control how the compressor reacts to peaks (quickly or by averaging the input level).

Another feature is the “Low Freq Relax” that lets you configure a high-pass filter for the sidechain, which makes the compressor react less to those lower frequencies such as kick and bass.

User Interface: The Kotelnikov has a ton of features packed into a compact interface, making it a bit harder to wrap your head around than other compressors at first.

Character: Kotelnikov focuses mainly on audio fidelity and not so much on adding color or character, which is why it’s considered by many to be one of the best mastering compressor plugins.

Uses: Kotelnikov is mainly designed for Bus Mixing or Mastering, but it can definitely be used to process individual tracks as well. Just remember that it’s not a coloring compressor (which is why it’s great for mastering all kinds of music).

Notable Features:

• Low Frequency Relax (High Pass Filter on the Sidechain).
• Ying and Yang controls add harmonics to the lower and higher frequencies respectively.
• Inertia: Slower compression times with low Gain Reduction and vice versa.
• Frequency Dependent Ratio (can be adjusted in depth).
• Peak and RMS detection.
• GR Limit (Limit the gain reduction).
• Stereo, Mid/Side Processing.

Pros:

• Versatile control over the final sound.
• Useful for both mastering and mixing tasks.
• Freemium (the free version is generally all you need).

Cons:

• Some of the parameters might be harder to understand for beginners.

Get TDR Kotelnikov GE Here: Pluginboutique, TDR Website.

Analog Obsession BUSTERse

Classic Compressor with a Vintage Character

Price: Free (Donationware).

Analog Obsession’s BUSTERse stands out, particularly for enthusiasts of analog warmth and vintage compressor characteristics, since it’s designed to emulate the classic hardware sound of analog consoles. 

While it does sport a fairly old-looking user interface, it’s very easy to use and understand, making it a great compressor for beginners and advanced producers alike.

A distinguishing feature of BUSTERse is its ability to add a distinct sonic imprint to the audio signal. This quality makes it especially suitable for applications that benefit from a touch of vintage coloration, such as vocal tracks, drums, or even on the mix bus.

The “SIDECHAIN” section offers filters to better control how the compressor reacts to incoming audio, and you can also enable the External Sidechain to let the compressor listen to another incoming signal while affecting the track it’s on.

In addition to this, it features the TURBO mode (makes the compressor listen to the whole signal range instead of focusing more on the mids) and the XFORMER mode (in/out ICs will be replaced to balance it. This will affect the impedance, character, overall sound) to give you some additional sound options.

Lastly, clicking on the logo will enable 4x oversampling.

Notable Features:

• Classic compressor emulation.
• TURBO and XFORMER modes.
• Filters for the Sidechain.
• 4x Oversampling.

Pros:

• Free (Donationware).
• Vintage analog character emulation.
• Very CPU Efficient.

Cons:

• Dated interface look.

Get BUSTERse Here: Analog Obsession Patreon Site.

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

Modeled after the EMI TG12410 Transfer Console

Price: $49.99

The Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Compressor is a mastering plugin modeled after the EMI TG12410 Transfer Console, a staple in Abbey Road’s mastering studios since the 1990s. 

This plugin comprises four modules and an output stage, each of which can be independently activated or deactivated, offering significant flexibility and allowing you to have more control over how much the plugin will load the CPU. 

The modules include:

• Input Module: Features input level control, L/R balance control, a transpose button, and phase controls. The highlight is the Tape Equalizer, originally intended for EQ adjustments between NAB and IEC standards, now offering unique EQ flavoring​​.
• Tone Module: Provides a 4-band EQ with five preset frequencies for each band, suitable for a range of frequency adjustments​​.
• Limiter Module: This one offers a total of three algorithms – Original, Modern, and Limit, with a Recovery switch for preset release times, and a Sidechain Filter feature for enhanced control over bass-heavy signals​​​​.
• Filter Module: Includes High-Pass and Low-Pass filters with preset frequency selections, and a Presence filter for additional tonal shaping​​​​.
• The Output section includes output gain controls and versatile metering options. A unique feature is the Spreader knob, which adjusts the stereo field width using MS processing​​​​.

Note: After testing and using the compressor for a while, I found the “Original” style to be the one I liked the most since it sounded great almost always, no matter how I set the other setting. The “Modern” style is also quite good, but I definitely prefer the original one most of the time. 

Besides these modules, the plugin offers multiple operational modes (stereo, dual mono, and mid-side), and includes a live version with reduced latency for large mix sessions & live implementations. 

As a bonus, it also comes with the Abbey Road TG Meter Bridge for additional metering capabilities​​​​.

Lastly, it’s compatible with AAX/AU/VST, and VST3 32-bit & 64-bit, formats and works on both Windows and Mac systems​​​​.

Pros:

• Versatile control over the final sound.
• User-friendly interface.
• Useful for both mastering and mixing tasks.
• Trial Version has no limit but cuts the signal every now and then.
• Multiple processing options with a range of modules​​​​​​.

Cons:

• Reported to have limited compatibility with certain DJ software​​.
• High CPU usage (about 3 times higher than most other plugins).

Overall, the Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain is a great tool for doing everything with a single plugin, especially since you have the option to rearrange the order of the effects chain, and it’s not only suitable for mastering but also effective on individual tracks and buses, making it a powerful tool for both mastering and mixing applications​​​​.

Note: Technical performance score is 8 because I was only able to load the plugin on ⅓ of the tracks that MB-Control and the BUSTERse were able to handle before hearing cracks and pops.

Get the Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain here: Waves Website.

Softube Weiss Compressor/Limiter

Versatile Digital Compressor/Limiter 

Price: $119.

The Softube Weiss Compressor/Limiter is a digital compressor and limiter designed for mastering, offering features adapted from the Weiss DS1-MK3.

The interface combines a straightforward main panel with additional detailed controls in  side-menus, catering to both quick adjustments and in-depth parameter tweaking.

The plugin’s visual design includes high-resolution waveforms and gain reduction readouts in the form of histograms, which can be helpful in observing the effects of processing on the audio signal in more detail than with traditional VU/Gain Reduction meters.

If you need a more in-depth view of the controls, you can open the Expert Parameters section to adjust the release time in an extremely detailed manner (RMS, Auto Release, Average, and more), you can also enable/disable the auto makeup, and more.

The Weiss Compressor/Limiter focuses on transparency in processing without adding any sort of coloration, making it a great compressor/limiter for mastering and allowing for detailed control over dynamics while maintaining the original character of the track.

 It includes features such as low pass and band pass filters for targeted compression, Mid/Side processing, parallel compression,  and introduces two new limiter algorithms.

The one big drawback about this compressor, or any Softube plugin for that matter, is the Activation/Licensing process: You need to create a Softube and an iLok account, download the Softube installer, download the iLok license manager, install the plugin and activate it there (in my case, the Softube installer even forced me to download some additional things).

Notable Features:

• Mid/Side Processing.
• Additional advanced limiter algorithms.
• Built-in filters for fine-tuning the compression.

Pros:

• In-depth visual feedback.
• Compressor and limiter all in one.
• Transparent sound quality.

Cons:

• Terrible installation/licensing experience.
• Very complex for beginner users.

Get the Weiss Compressor/Limiter here: PluginBoutique, Softube.

Bonus: Don’t ignore your Stock Plugins

People often think that the plugins that come with the DAW are lower quality than any of the more “premium” offers, and I think that this is especially the case with compressors and limiters.

The compressor that comes stock with your DAW is more than capable of yielding great results if you know how to use it properly.

In some cases, the built-in features may not be as advanced, but if you take the time to dial in the settings correctly, the end result should sound almost identical and you don’t need to spend your extra cash on external plugins.

Summary

MB-Control and TDR Kotelnikov are probably the two compressors you should give a try: MB-Control is a multiband compressor, which means that you have finer control over the dynamics of the entire mix, and Kotelnikov is one of the best bang-for-your-buck wide-band compressors out there, and the free version comes with plenty of useful features.