Icons: The Compressor Collection

Timeless Character, Modern Features

Classic, legendary… iconic. The compressors in this collection—FET Compressor Mk II, OPTO Compressor, and VCA Compressor—are modeled on three of the most popular, most used compressors in the world. Important and influential gear that set a standard in the ‘60s and ’70s and never stopped. Outstanding then, outstanding now. Even more so.

That's because Softube have added features fit for current times. From Drive and the Stereo Link switch to the Sidechain section, this set gives you more control and tailoring capabilities than before. Icons: The Compressor Collection is an indispensable mix of modeling authenticity and modern workflow. It's destined to be a studio star in its own right.

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.

Icons: The Compressor Collection builds on this legacy. The included plug-ins deliver nothing less than the same classic character as the original hardware, superior sound quality, and added modern features.

Respect: Authenticity Through Modeling

Softube modeled FET Compressor Mk II, OPTO Compressor, and VCA Compressor to capture every characteristic of the legendary originals. From the "fastest compressor in the world" to the storied tube-based optical compressor and the snappy, super popular snare drum comp. Icons gives you the power of three superstar compressors with three distinct gain reduction technologies in one collection.

Papa’s Got A Brand-New Bag: Modern Features

Icons' modern features make it easy to tailor the sound of the tracks on your mix. With distortion and saturation separate from gain reduction, you can shape the sound by adjusting the amount of drive. Stereo Link offers the ability to 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. The Sidechain section—sporting Sidechain Punch, Sidechain Filter, and External Sidechain—lets you customize the compression sound to best suit the sound source. With the High Frequency Make-up feature, you can compensate for the slight loss of higher frequencies when compressing the sound source. Dry/Wet gives you the possibility of using parallel compression.

What's Included

FET Compressor MK II

A Ground-Up Remake Of An Eternal Favorite

Launched as the "fastest compressor in the world" with a 20-microsecond attack time, the classic hardware Softube modeled FET Compressor Mk II on is exceedingly popular and heard on countless hit recordings. With a FET gain reduction stage, Class A solid-state amplifiers, input and output transformers, beloved aggression, and tasty distortion, it's easy to see why. The FET Compressor Mk II keeps that original sound and character while supporting a DAW-based workflow. There may be more than 1176 emulations of this compressor on the market, but only their meticulously remodeled FET Compressor Mk II features Softube sound quality, extra features, and added control.

The Glow Up

 FET Compressor Mk II gives you the lightning-quick, in-your-face character of the hardware, plus more modern features for a DAW-based workflow. You can use the two different drives, FET and transformer, together or separately. Dry/Wet, and a Sidechain section deliver more control and increased usability for mixing and mastering. With Stereo Link, 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. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to offset the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources as varied as vocals, snares, kick drums, guitars, and more.  

In Short

• A complete and expertly executed remodel of one of the most popular analog compressors in the world
• Perfect for vocals, drums, and other sources that require considerable compression
• Added modern features, such as Drive, Stereo Link, a Sidechain section, a High Frequency Make-up feature, and Dry/Wet
• Authentically modeled All-buttons-in mode, or British mode

Learn more about FET Compressor MK II.

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.

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

Learn more about Opto Compressor.

VCA Compressor

Punchy Sound That’s Always In Style

Quirky and characterful, the legendary hardware Softube used to model their VCA Compressor is unique and highly acclaimed. Much of that is owed to its famed hard knee compression curve and the harmonic content it adds in the gain stages.

They left the grabby, vintage character and unique attributes—such as RMS level detection and feed-forward gain reduction—intact but gave VCA Compressor a slate of modern features for mixing and production. The combination delivers snap and sheen in spades, plus superior Softube sound quality and an enhanced workflow.

Mod Features

VCA Compressor delivers the snappy, analog character beloved by many, plus DAW-friendly attributes and expanded parameters. The added Sidechain section (with punch, filter, and external gain) and Dry/Wet. Drive gives you the possibility to add more harmonic content. With Stereo Link, 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. The High Frequency Make-up feature allows you to offset the minor loss of higher frequencies when compressing sound sources. It's the go-to comp for a snappier snare sound, but it is also excellent for adding texture, sheen, and attack to guitars, as well as low-end glue and weight on bass sounds.

In Short

• An authentic emulation of a must-have compressor and its signature snappy sound
• Great for easily adding warmth, weight, and glue to your bass, guitars, and vocals, for getting aggressive, snappy snares or blown-up room channels
• Added modern features, such as Drive, a Sidechain section, Stereo Link, a High Frequency Make-up feature, and Dry/Wet

Learn more about VCA Compressor.

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​