There are lots of rumors and innuendo...
But one thing's for sure...
The Logic Pro Compressor is a versatile and amazing-sounding plug-in.
It's seven compressors in one, and it covers just about every classic compressor you could possibly want to own.
The key to understanding the rumors is matching the "circuit type" to the classic compressor.
But first...
How to Add The Compressor Plug-in to Your Tracks
The channel strip is where you adjust the volume and sound of a track. You can find a track’s channel strip in the mixer or track inspector.
- To open the mixer: Press X, choose View > Show Mixer, or choose Window > Open Mixer
- To open the inspector: Press I or select View > Show Inspector
Here are two ways to add the Compressor plug-in to your track:
- Click the Gain Reduction display on the channel strip
- Choose Dynamics > Compressor from the channel strip effects slot
Compressor Circuit Types
The big rumor is that 6 out of 7 of these circuit types emulate the sound of classic compressors:
- Platinum Digital
- Studio VCA
- Studio FET
- Classic VCA
- Vintage VCA
- Vintage FET
- Vintage Opto
Choose the circuit type with the buttons at the top of the plug-in interface:
Here's what we know so far...
Platinum Digital
- Logic Pro original compressor
- Transparent dynamic control
Studio VCA
- Similar to the Focusrite Red compressor
- VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) compressor
- Colorful
- Low-distortion dynamic control
Studio FET
- Similar to the 1176 Rev E "Blackface" compressor
- FET (Field-Effect Transistor) compressor
- Colorful
- Low-distortion dynamic control
Classic VCA
- Similar to the dbx 160 compressor
- VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) compressor
- Clean
- Low-distortion dynamic control
- Fast limiting
Vintage VCA
- Similar to the SSL compressor
- VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) compressor
- Colorful
- Low-distortion dynamic control
Vintage FET
- Similar to the 1176 Rev A "Bluestripe"
- FET (Field-Effect Transistor) compressor
- Colorful
- Higher-distortion dynamic control and limiting
Vintage Opto
- Similar to the LA-2A
- Opto (Tube Electro-Optical) compressor
- Colorful
- Tube saturation dynamic control
Related Resources
More Compressor Tips
When you want clean dynamic control and limiting, start with these circuit types:
- Platinum Digital
- Classic VCA
When you want colorful, low-distortion dynamic control and limiting, start with these circuit types:
- Studio VCA
- Vintage VCA
- Studio FET
When you want colorful, higher-distortion dynamic control and limiting, start with these circuit types:
- Vintage FET
- Vintage Opto
Every circuit type is capable of varying degrees of distortion using the distortion knob.
Circuit Type Uses
These tips come from respected mixing engineers across many genres and are great starting places.
Ultimately, let your taste be your guide.
FET Compression
- Add color, even without compression
- Individual instruments like snare, vocal, guitar
- Mix-bus compression, drums
- 1176 bluestripe (Vintage FET), aggressive, higher distortion
- 1176 blackface (Studio FET), early 70s, low noise
- Steven Slate: FET on lead vocals, rap lead
- Mixerman Eric Sarafin: Lead vocals
- Michael Brauer: Drum group, lead vocals, background vocals
- Andrew Wuepper: Lead vocals
- Jack Joseph: Snare, piano, bass
- Dave Pensado: Lead vocals, bass
- Dylan Dresdow: Slap bass
- Jaycen Joshua: Bass, string section
- Tony Maserati: Ballad vocals
- Ed Cherney: Bass, snare, acoustic guitar, rock guitar
VCA Compression
- Clean, low-distortion
- Vintage mix-bus compression, drums, piano
- Simple, safe, quiet
- Protect track from clipping
- Instruments with complex harmonics (12-string guitars, pianos and harpsichords)
- Ed Seay: Room mics
- Michael Brauer: Bass
- Jack Joseph Puig: Snare
- Dylan Dresdow: Kick drum, stereo mix-bus
- Hans Zimmer: Drums
- Ed MacFarlane: 808 drums
Opto Compression
- Tube distortion
- Individual instruments like vocals, piano, and bass
- Smooth, rich, warm compression
- Steven Slate: Background vocals, British-style piano
- Mixerman Eric Sarafin: Bass
- Andrew Wuepper: Banjo, acoustic guitar
- Dylan Dresdow: Bass
- Russell Elevado: D'Angelo Voodoo Bass
You've got some great gear inside of Logic Pro.
That's a fact.
For more mixing tips, download the Mixing Cheat Sheet...
Enter your first name and email address and click the "Get Access Now!" button to get your free mixing guide.
Your Information is 100% Secure And Will Never Be Shared With Anyone!
I’ve been researching abtaining al the Logic Pro x knowledge there is to give. I highly appreciate you guys sharing your wisdom and knowledge
Thanks for this Graham. You’ve ‘demystified’ these compressors and I enjoy the tips. Compression, to many, can be a complex effect to add into your tracking mix and moreso into your mastering mix. You’ve clarified some of that here.
It’s also great to know which compressors are being simulated in the Logic Pro software, and it can save smaller budget studios a LOT on buying additional plug-ins.
I keep looking forward to hearing more from you and your vast knowledge of this software!
Good explanation precise and simple, I have learned and the veil has lifted with a certain understanding….
Fantastic! Thanks for the feedback. 🙂
At the risk of further swelling the head of a new father, whose very existence for the next 18 years will be one of abject humiliation and rueful ignorance (just wait until he has his own opinions about music!) I too must say “job well done and thank you.”
And my comments are made frm a position of truly wishing, at times, that all 3 of my young adult, competent “children” were kids again and that I could go back to those magic days of being father to youngsters. Much love and good wishes. I’m envious. And the courses and training is excelent.
“Are excellent” I mean.