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Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer

Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer

Stereo Master Bus Transformer with Class A I/O Amplifiers, 2-band EQ, Compressor, Variable Highpass Sidechain Filter, Width Control, and Super Silk Circuit
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Photo of Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

1-channel Tube Optical Compressor
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Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor - Black

Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor - Black

2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Stereo Field Processor - Black
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Photo of Solid State Logic Bus+ 2-channel Bus Compressor

Solid State Logic Bus+ 2-channel Bus Compressor

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Photo of Tube-Tech CL 1B Tube Optical Compressor

Tube-Tech CL 1B Tube Optical Compressor

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Photo of Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 Compressor with De-esser

Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 Compressor with De-esser

2-channel Compressor/Limiter/Gate
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Photo of Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

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Photo of Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor with British Mode and Image Link

Empirical Labs EL8-X Distressor with British Mode and Image Link

Single-channel Analog Distressor with Harmonic Distortion, 8 unique curves, and sidechain EQ
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Photo of Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor/Limiter

Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor/Limiter

1-channel Digitally-controlled Analog Compressor/Limiter with 8 Curves and Variable Harmonic Distortion
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Photo of dbx 266XS Dual Compressor/Gate

dbx 266XS Dual Compressor/Gate

2-channel Compressor/Gate
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Photo of Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor

Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor

1-channel Tube Optical Compressor with All-discrete Signal Path, Custom Optical Photocell, and Cinemag Transformers
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Photo of Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Limiting Class A Line-level Amplifier with All-transistor Circuitry
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Demo available for $2,339.10
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Photo of Warm Audio Bus-Comp 2-channel Stereo VCA Bus Compressor

Warm Audio Bus-Comp 2-channel Stereo VCA Bus Compressor

Stereo VCA Bus Compressor with 5 Ratios, Side Chain Input and Filter, and Cinemag Transformers
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Photo of Empirical Labs EL8-XS Distressor with British Mode and Image Link - Stereo Pair

Empirical Labs EL8-XS Distressor with British Mode and Image Link - Stereo Pair

Dual-channel Compressor with "British Mode"
$3,499.00
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Photo of Warm Audio WA76 Discrete FET Compressor

Warm Audio WA76 Discrete FET Compressor

Class A FET Line-level Limiting Amplifier with All Solid-state Circuitry and Cinemag Transformers
$699.00
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Demo available for $629.10
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Photo of ART Pro-VLA II 2-channel Opto Tube Leveling Amplifier

ART Pro-VLA II 2-channel Opto Tube Leveling Amplifier

2-channel Leveling Amplifier/Compressor with Optical Compression, Tube Gain Stage, and Mastering-quality Audio Path
$449.99
Or $19.00/month§ with
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Demo available for $382.49
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Photo of Klark Teknik 2A-KT Optical Tube Leveling Amplifier

Klark Teknik 2A-KT Optical Tube Leveling Amplifier

Tube Optical Leveling Amplifier with Discrete Signal Path, 10Hz-20kHz Frequency Response, Midas Transformers, Pre-emphasis Trim, and Vintage-style VU Metering
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Photo of Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic 8-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor
$100.00 Off!

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic 8-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor

8-channel Mic/Line Preamplifier with Per-channel Compression, 24-bit/192kHz, with 8 line outputs and ADAT Outputs - Mac/PC
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Photo of Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 with Plug-in Control

Bettermaker Mastering Limiter 2.0 with Plug-in Control

Stereo Mastering Limiter with 100% Analog Signal Path, Plug-In Control, Touchscreen Interface, and Variable Saturation Color
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Photo of Rupert Neve Designs MBC Dual-path A/D Converter & Limiter

Rupert Neve Designs MBC Dual-path A/D Converter & Limiter

2-channel Dual-path A/D Converter with Class A Transformer-less and Transformer-coupled Drive Paths and Active Compound Release Analog Limiter
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Photo of Klark Teknik 1176-KT Classic FET-style Compressor

Klark Teknik 1176-KT Classic FET-style Compressor

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API 2500+ Stereo Bus Compressor

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Behringer MULTICOM PRO-XL MDX4600 V2

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Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 Vari-MU Stereo Tube Limiter/Compressor

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Photo of Tube-Tech CL 2A 2-channel Tube Optical Compressor

Tube-Tech CL 2A 2-channel Tube Optical Compressor

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Photo of Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter

Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter

Dual-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with Stereo Link and True Variable Gain
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Photo of Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer

Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer

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Photo of Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor

Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor

Mastering-grade Compressor/Limiter with Optical and Discrete Compressor Sections, Sidechain Filter, and Transformer Switching Matrix
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Photo of Hazelrigg Industries VNE Vacuum Tube Single Channel Compressor

Hazelrigg Industries VNE Vacuum Tube Single Channel Compressor

1-channel Tube Compressor with PWM Compression Circuit, Sidechain HPF, and Transformer-coupled I/O
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Photo of WesAudio ngBusComp Analog Bus Compressor with Digital Recall

WesAudio ngBusComp Analog Bus Compressor with Digital Recall

Stereo/Dual Mono Bus Compressor with Digital Control
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Photo of Lindell Audio Lin76 FET Single-channel Vintage Limiting Amplifier

Lindell Audio Lin76 FET Single-channel Vintage Limiting Amplifier

Vintage-style FET Limiting Amplifer with USA-made Transformers and All-button Mode
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Or $15.00/month§ with
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Photo of Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter with T-Bar Modification

Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter with T-Bar Modification

Dual-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with T-Bar Mod, Stereo Link, and True Variable Gain
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Photo of Manley Variable Mu Stereo Limiter Compressor - Mastering Version with T-Bar Modification

Manley Variable Mu Stereo Limiter Compressor - Mastering Version with T-Bar Modification

Dual-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with T-Bar Mod, Detented Rotary Switches, and True Variable Gain
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Photo of Rupert Neve Designs 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs 5254 Dual Diode Bridge Compressor

2-channel Diode-Bridge Compressor with Stepped Controls, Sidechain Highpass Filter and Inserts, Onboard Parallel Processing, and Stereo Linking
$2,999.00
Or $125.00/month§ with
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Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
Photo of Manley ELOP+ Dual-channel Tube Compressor/Limiter
$300.00 Off!

Manley ELOP+ Dual-channel Tube Compressor/Limiter

Electro-optical Compressor/Limiter, Dual Channel, All-tube Audio Path, and Stereo Link
$2,999.00
Or $125.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (10)
Photo of elysia alpha compressor

elysia alpha compressor

2-channel Compressor with Discrete Class A Circuitry, Integrated M/S Matrix, Feed-forward/Feedback Compression, Soft Clip Limiter, and Sidechain Filter
$11,999.00
Or $500.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Demo available for $10,799.10
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Photo of Empirical Labs EL8-S Distressor Stereo Pair

Empirical Labs EL8-S Distressor Stereo Pair

Dual Mono / Stereo Pair Analog Compressor with Harmonic Distortion
$3,049.00
Or $128.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
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Photo of Heritage Audio Tubesessor Optical Tube Compressor

Heritage Audio Tubesessor Optical Tube Compressor

1-channel Optical Tube Compressor with transformer-balanced I/O, Tube Saturation Section, and Multiple Sidechain Filter Settings
$2,499.00
Or $105.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Demo available for $2,249.10
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Photo of Neve 33609/N Discrete Stereo Compressor/Limiter

Neve 33609/N Discrete Stereo Compressor/Limiter

Class-A Stereo Compressor/Limiter with Handwired Transformers, Diode-bridge Topology, Discrete Output Stage, Independent Limiter I/O and Compressor I/O Selection, and Dual-mono Mode
$3,995.00
Or $167.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor/Limiter

Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor/Limiter

Mono Tube Compressor/Limiter with Link Mode, Transformer-balanced I/O, and Selectable Output Impedance
$3,399.00
Or $142.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Demo available for $3,059.10
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Photo of Dangerous Music Compressor

Dangerous Music Compressor

2-channel Compressor with Auto Attack/Release, Smart Dynamics Dual-slope Detection, and Active Sidechain Send/Return Circuitry
$3,199.00
Or $134.00/month§ with
24 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (5)
In Stock
Photo of Purple Audio MC77 Limiting Amplifier

Purple Audio MC77 Limiting Amplifier

Class A Line-level Limiting Amplifier with All Discrete Solid-state Circuitry and Transformer-balanced XLR I/O
$1,850.00
Or $308.33/month for
6 months with Easy Pay
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
Only 5 Left

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Explore Compressors and Limiters at Sweetwater


You need serious dynamics processing to get the most out of your productions — namely, the enhanced punch and controlled peaks of today's analog compressors and limiters.


Even so, it can take time to understand which of these tools is right for the task at hand. After all, smoothing out the volume of an expressive vocal performance requires an entirely different approach than smashing a drum bus with parallel compression techniques.


Not sure where to begin? Fortunately, Sweetwater carries a vast range of industry-tested compressors and limiters, both in rackmount and 500 Series formats, and we're here to help you find the right one for your applications.


Compression Circuits Explained


There's a lot of talk about the different types of compressors and how they sound and perform. It's common to hear optical and FET compressors described as "fast" and "precise," tube compressors as "warm" and "fat," and VCA compressors as "versatile." But the truth is, there's a lot more that determines the sound of any given compressor or limiter than just the circuit type. Said another way, two tube compressors can have very different sonic characters, even though they share the same general circuit type.


Channel and Input Considerations


A better place to start your search is how many channels of audio you want to compress simultaneously. Are you focusing on working with individual tracks in a mix? Do you want to use it as a stereo bus compressor, too? Do you need as many channels as possible in a certain number of rack spaces? These are practical considerations that will help you narrow your search.


What input and output types do you want to work with? Look at our detailed specs or check the unit's back panel to ensure it has the connectivity you prefer. You'll want to confirm your selected compressor or limiter is compatible with your other gear and preferences.


Adding Weight to Kicks and Vocals with Sidechain Compression


Do you want to be able to trigger compression or limiting from an external audio signal? Take a look at compressors and limiters that include a sidechain input. For example, you can use sidechain to "duck" a bass guitar track every time the kick drum hits.


When it Comes to Compressors and Limiters, Sweetwater Has No Ceiling!


When buying compressors and limiters, Sweetwater is here to help steer you along the right path. We spent all day every day learning about new audio gear, and we're excited to help you find the right tools based on your specific applications. If you have questions about our compressors or limiters, call our Sales Engineers.


For more information on compression and limiting, see the following articles:

"What Is Compression? The Basics of Compression Explained" | inSync
"Compression Tricks to Give Your Drums Instant Punch" | inSync
"What Is Sidechain Compression?" | inSync
"A Beginner's Guide to Audio Compression" | inSync
"Manley SLAM! 2-channel Tube Mic Preamp/Limiter Overview" (VIDEO) | inSync

What are the most popular brands for Compressors / Limiters on Sweetwater.com?


What are the most popular Compressors / Limiters on Sweetwater.com?


  1. Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer

    ★★★★★ 5 reviews

    $3,999.00

  2. Rupert Neve Designs Portico II Master Buss Processor - Black

    ★★★★★ 25 reviews

    $4,999.00

  3. Manley Variable Mu Stereo Compressor Limiter

    ★★★★★ 18 reviews

    $4,999.00

  4. Black Lion Audio Bluey FET Limiting Amplifier

    ★★★★ 19 reviews

    $999.00

  5. Daking Comp II Stereo VCA Compressor

    ★★★★★ 4 reviews

    $1,599.00

Why shop Compressors / Limiters at Sweetwater.com?


With a massive selection of Compressors / Limiters, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Compressors / Limiters, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.

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