OPTO Compressor

A Prime Compressor, Optimized For Modern Times

The hardware Softube modeled OPTO Compressor on is lauded as the most classic compressor. It's well-known for its nuanced tube character and how it delicately enhances the fainter parts of a performance in a natural-sounding way. While the warm and smooth tones remain, OPTO Compressor offers some crucial, new DAW-friendly features.

Their OPTO Compressor plug-in ensures that you get the legendary magic of the early-60s T4 Opto Cell original, plus the added control and flexibility of a modern mixing and production workflow. All with Softube-quality sound.

Designed by Experts, Built on Legacy

Softube have been emulating professional audio gear for two decades. With partnerships with premium brands like Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited, and Marshall Amplification, they have a strong record of accurately recreating analog standards in software form.

OPTO Compressor builds on this legacy, delivering nothing less than the same classic character as the original hardware, superior sound quality, and added modern features.

More Than Meets The Eye

OPTO Compressor offers the slow attack and smooth character of pro audio's go-to optical tube compressor, plus added modern features for a DAW-based workflow. Dry/Wet and a Sidechain section deliver more control and improved versatility for mixing and mastering. Drive allows you to decide the amount of distortion and character of the original unit separately from the gain reduction, making OPTO Compressor more useful in a mixing situation than the original hardware. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to compensate for the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources. With the Stereo Link switch, you can toggle from Stereo Linked mode, with linked Left and Right gain reduction, to Unlinked Dual Mono for independent gain reduction for Left and Right channels. OPTO Compressor is perfect for vocals, guitar, and bass or as a second gain reduction stage after the FET Compressor Mk II on a vocal track.

In Short

• An expert emulation of the most classic analog compressor in the world
• Renowned for its warmth, smoothness, and ability to add character to the sound
• Added modern features, such as Drive, Stereo Link, a Sidechain section, the High Frequency Make-up feature, and Dry/Wet
• Authentically modeled subtle tube distortion character

System Requirements

• macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13
• Windows 10 (64-bit), Windows 11
• Softube account
• iLok account
• Computer with AU, VST, VST3, and/or AAX-compatible DAW host software
• Internet access (for downloading installers and managing licenses)

Supported CPU Families 

• Apple macOS computers with Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or Apple silicon (M1 or newer) CPU. Apple silicon is supported natively. 
• Windows computers with quad-core Intel Core i3/i5/i7 or AMD quad-core processors with SSE 4.2 support.
• Other Intel processors (Celeron, Pentium, and Xeon) are compatible if they support SSE 4.2 instructions. 

Supported Host Software (DAW)  

Any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs—and our rigorous standards—Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, and Reaper. Softube plug-ins are not tested regularly in non-listed systems. They will likely work if the system requirements are met. However, the manufacturer cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems. 
  
Softube strongly recommend using VST3, as some of their plug-ins have features that are not present in the older VST format. Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo. The most recent maintenance release of your DAW application is recommended. AAX DSP is not currently in active development. TDM/VENUE/RTAS are no longer supported. See Legacy Installers.

Important Note: Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com​