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Waves H-Comp Hybrid Compressor Plug-in

Analog-modeled Compressor Plug-in - Mac/PC AAX Native, AudioSuite, VST, AU, SoundGrid
$29.99
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Compatible with:

Mac
Windows
AAX
AudioSuite
VST
AU
SoundGrid

Software Compatibility

Most software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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Waves H-Comp Hybrid Compressor Plug-in
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$29.99
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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A Palette of Compression Colors

Get that tube sound out of a convenient Waves plug-in! The crew at Waves has gone to work creating yet another standout way for us gearheads to get the sound of the finest gear - without breaking the bank or hauling a rack alongside our laptops. Just call up the H-Comp hybrid compressor plug-in, packed with four degrees of "analog" sound. There's a wet/dry mix for easy parallel compression plus a cool transient pass-through punch control feature. And you'll especially dig the exclusive BPM-sync release function for getting your sound to just gel with the vibe of the tempo.

The Waves H-Comp compressor plug-in is capable of a range of classic and modern compression flavors that engineers would have killed to have available all in one place back in the day - especially at this affordable price. It's perfect for the studio that sees a range of music styles and needs an incredible-sounding, versatile compression solution to get the job done each and every time. If that sounds like you, you've got to go with the H-Comp compressor.

Waves H-Comp Hybrid Compressor Features at a Glance:
  • Compressor plug-in
  • Analog modeled release behavior
  • Wet/Dry mix for easy parallel compression
  • Unique transient pass-through punch control
  • Exclusive BPM-sync release function
  • Analog character modes
  • Output limiter/clipper modes
  • External sidechain support
Waves H-Comp hybrid compressor plug-in gives you awesome compression at an unbelievable price!
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Tech Specs

  • Software Type: Compressor
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Upgrade/Full: Full
  • Download/Boxed: Download
  • Bit Depth: 64-bit
  • Format: AAX Native, AudioSuite, VST, AU, SoundGrid
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Intel Core i7 or higher (M1 support), 8GB RAM minimum
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Intel Core i5 / AMD Quad-core or higher (AVX required), 8GB RAM minimum
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 10.15.7 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 or later (21H2), 64-bit
  • Manufacturer Part Number: HCOMPTDM

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

My favorite compressor plug-in!!

After using this on another studios rig and then as a demo I bought. This is my favorite work horse compressor. I always use it on kick drum, bass and drum buses but it it works on everything. The tempo sync and analog dial are great features that make it a little faster to set and dial in a nice hybrid of modern and vintage sound.

This is one of my Desert Island plugs!
Music background: Engineer and drummer
Rated 5/5

The Most Flexible Waves Compressor

Around 2 years ago I received an email from Waves stating that as an owner of the Gold Bundle I was qualified for two free plugs: the H-Delay and the H-Comp. So I downloaded the new plugs, not too excited because I already owned the Waves CLA plugs and the Renaissance Compressor which all get heavy use on my productions so I wasn`t expecting much from a "free" plug.

Also, I`ve been fortunate to have had my hands on classic hardware compressors like 1176s, Distressors, 1178s, LA2As over the years so a free software compressor wasn`t really getting me all that excited.

However, when I started to tweak the H-Comp I simply could not believe how amazing this plug sounded. I`ll just say its a fantastically versatile plug. I love it and its not unusual to see the H-Comp occupying most of my DAW inserts.

I have used the H-Comp on drums, bkg vocals, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, lead vocals and piano, the H-Comp works well on all sources. Obviously no piece does everything so if I want a little edge to my tracks or "grit", I`ll usually turn to the CLA collection but for most audio needs, the H-Comp shines. The dry/wet setting has proven time and time to be super handy!

The best news about Waves is that you can download whatever you want and audition it for yourself. I would suggest you do that. Check out the H-Comp if you`re looking for an all around great software compressor.
Music background: Professional Musician
Rated 4.5/5

Works well

It gets the job done. But I didn't notice anything special about the 4 "analog" settings other than it dulls the sound a little. Other than work, it works like a virtual compressor should.
Music background: Always learning
Rated 4.5/5

It Has A Mix Knob

First off: I docked half a star because of the limiter component of this plug. It seems odd and unwieldy among the other features of this fantastic dynamics processor.

I've used this thing on many mix projects. My favorite thing about it is the interface. It's like a real compressor. The fact that it has knobs keeps you from over thinking what you're doing. But... If you want to really zero in on a setting, you just double click a knob and type in the value that you want. Awesome! Intuitive in general but surgical when you need it to be.

As features go... I'd say the "Mix" knob is absolutely the "Star Feature" of this plug. You can do "Parallel Compression" right then and there. You don't have to bring up another channel and balance it against the original uncompressed one.... Then group it... Or, bus it... Blah, Blah, Blah. You just compress the SNOT out of it and dial back the mix 'til you've got what you want. Pure genius. I only own one other compressor that has this feature but I wish they all had it.

There's another feature that enables one to sync the release time to the host tempo. I haven't found this to be extremely useful in band scenarios but in electronic music, I bet I'd use it quite a lot.

I don't find it to be "Klunky". I have tons of compressor plugins. I use this one more than all the others. I guess that's the main thing. I "Get" the controls. It sounds great. And... It has a mix knob. Love It!
Music background: Music Background: Producer, Mix Engineer, Occasional Recording Engineer (Mostly retired from that), Professional Musician.

Since the early days of DAW software, Waves has been a dominating force in music and audio production. For those of us here at Sweetwater who've been recording since the industry switched over to computer-based studios, it's impossible to imagine sessions without L series Ultramaximizers, MaxxBass, and other staples. Since then, we've been impressed every time Waves has brought top producers such as Jack Joseph Puig and Chris Lord-Alge to Sweetwater to show off their next cutting-edge creations, and Waves is constantly adding new and innovative plug-ins to their catalog. And with cool new gear such as their SoundGrid series, Sweetwater engineers have discovered just how easy it is to use Waves plug-ins live.

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