FET Compressor MK II
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About this plugin
Softube's FET Compressor Mk II is a faithful software recreation of the class A solid-state compressor that defined fast, aggressive gain reduction across decades of recording studios. The original hardware unit achieved legendary status through its 20-microsecond attack time and harmonic saturation characteristics, becoming the standard for controlling transient-heavy sources from kick drums to vocal aggression.
This remodel preserves the core sonic identity - that distinctive color and punch - while introducing workflow refinements absent from the original. The dual drive controls allow independent or parallel use of FET and transformer saturation, providing flexibility for reshaping compression character without committing to a single tonal approach. The addition of dry/wet blending enables parallel compression techniques that the hardware could not facilitate, while the high-frequency makeup circuit compensates for the subtle brightness loss that occurs during aggressive compression of mixed sources.
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Stereo linking options shift between locked dual-channel operation and independent left-right gain reduction, a practical necessity for mastering work that hardware units typically omit. The sidechain section adds external signal routing capabilities for frequency-conscious compression decisions.
Softube's two-decade heritage modeling professional gear under manufacturer partnerships ensures technical accuracy in the circuit topology. The sonic result captures the original's forward aggression and subtle distortion without the bloat or artificial character that hampers many competing emulations.
Best suited for engineers who understand the original hardware's role in professional mixing and want that specific character without compromise - whether applied to individual tracks or masters. It succeeds as both a faithful recreation and a modernized tool.