The Herd V2
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About this plugin
Safari Audio's Herd V2 represents a thoughtful approach to parallel compression that prioritizes workflow efficiency without sacrificing sonic depth. The plugin stacks three distinct compressor types - optical, VCA, and a nonlinear "Devil" mode - each with independent bypass switching and gain reduction metering. This architecture allows producers to layer compression character rather than chase it through serial chains.
The strength of parallel compression lies in preserving transients while adding density, and the Herd V2 facilitates this through a comprehensive Blend control that rides compressed signal underneath the dry path. Shared Attack and Release parameters keep the three processors synchronized, preventing the timing misalignment that can muddy stacked compressors, while an improved Tone control shapes input character before compression engages. The addition of Mid/Side processing distinguishes this release, enabling independent control over center and side compression - valuable for maintaining vocal presence while controlling drum bleed or adding cohesion to mix bus processing.
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The V2 updates the interface substantially, introducing Smart Gain for automatic level matching across compressor combinations and an oversampling algorithm that mitigates the aliasing artifacts common in digital compression at higher ratios. A/B comparison and short-term LUFS readout support precision mixing without excessive metering distraction.
Best suited for engineers accustomed to working with compression stacks - drums, vocals, bass, and mix buses particularly benefit from this plugin's design. The Devil mode adds welcome aggression for those seeking character beyond conventional compression, though experienced users will appreciate how the optical and VCA layers function as usable tools independent of the more experimental third option. The Herd V2 occupies middle ground between single-algorithm simplicity and overwhelming parameter density.