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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
$3,999.00
Or $112.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (13)
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs OptoFET Dual-stage Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs OptoFET Dual-stage Compressor

Mono FET/Optical Compressor with Dual Stage and Dual Band Modes, Grit and Bloom Harmonic Enhancement, and Flexible Gain Staging
$1,999.00
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
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Photo of Tube-Tech CL 1B Tube Optical Compressor

Tube-Tech CL 1B Tube Optical Compressor

Single-Channel Opto-Cell Compressor with Tube Amplifier
$4,725.00
Or $132.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (16)
Photo of Empirical Labs EL8-XXX 30th Anniversary Distressor Compressor/Limiter

Empirical Labs EL8-XXX 30th Anniversary Distressor Compressor/Limiter

1-channel Analog Compressor/Limiter with 8 Ratios, British Mode, Input, Attack, Release, and Output Controls, 2 HPFs, and Stereo Linking
$1,996.00
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
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
$1,799.00
Or $50.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (18)
In Stock
Photo of Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 4-channel Modal PWM Compressor

Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 4-channel Modal PWM Compressor

4-channel Compressor with Modal PWM Technology, 6 Compression Modes, Harmonic Saturation, Per-channel Inserts, Sidechain Inputs and HPF, Noise Gate, and De-essing
$2,799.00
Or $78.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier

Limiting Class A Line-level Amplifier with All-transistor Circuitry
$2,999.00
Or $84.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $2,699.10
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (14)
In Stock
Photo of Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

1-channel Tube Optical Compressor
$1,299.00
Or $37.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Bundle Savings Available!
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (22)
In Stock
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
Or $98.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (5)
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
$5,299.00
Or $148.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (28)
In Stock
Photo of Behringer 369 2-channel Rackmounted Stereo Compressor
$110.00 Off While Supplies Last!

Behringer 369 2-channel Rackmounted Stereo Compressor

2U Rackmountable 2-ch Stereo Compressor with Custom Midas Transformers, Limiter, 5 Compression Ratios, Variable Attack, Dual-mono Operation, and 15-pin Remote Control Port
$499.00
Or $84.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Bundle Savings Available!
Rated 3.9/5 Stars (11)
In Stock
Photo of API 2500+ Stereo Bus Compressor

API 2500+ Stereo Bus Compressor

Stereo Bus Compressor with "Old" and "New" Compression, Thrust Circuit, Auto/Manual Gain Makeup, Variable Threshold, Sidechain Input, and Mix/Blend Circuit
$3,295.00
Or $550.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (5)
In Stock
Photo of Klark Teknik 1176-KT Classic FET-style Compressor

Klark Teknik 1176-KT Classic FET-style Compressor

Classic FET Compressor with Class A Line-level Output Amplifier, Midas Transformers, and Transformer-balanced I/O
$209.00
Or $35.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.2/5 Stars (59)
In Stock
Photo of Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

Electro-Optical Compressor / Limiter with Tube Circuitry
$4,999.00
Or $139.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (10)
In Stock
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
$999.00
Or $28.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (50)
In Stock
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
$3,399.00
Or $95.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (8)
In Stock
Only 1 Left
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
$1,549.00
Or $44.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (20)
In Stock
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Photo of Heritage Audio Herchild Next Gen 670N Stereo Tube Compressor/Limiter

Heritage Audio Herchild Next Gen 670N Stereo Tube Compressor/Limiter

2-channel Tube Compressor/Limiter with Class A Circuitry, M-S Processing, and Sidechain Filter
$2,999.00
Or $63.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
In Stock
Only 1 Left
Photo of Solid State Logic Bus+ 2-channel Bus Compressor
$500.00 Off!

Solid State Logic Bus+ 2-channel Bus Compressor

2-channel Bus Compressor with Dynamic Equalizer and 4 Modes of Operation
$2,499.99
Or $70.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (23)
Photo of dbx 266XS Dual Compressor/Gate

dbx 266XS Dual Compressor/Gate

2-channel Compressor/Gate
$259.00
Or $44.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Certified Open Box available for $252.00
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (30)
In Stock
Photo of Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer

Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer

2-channel Analog Tape Simulator and Compressor
$2,449.00
Or $69.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (9)
Photo of Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

Dual-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with Stereo Link and True Variable Gain
$4,999.00
Or $139.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (18)
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Photo of WesAudio ngTubeComp Tube Compressor With Digital Recall And Automation

WesAudio ngTubeComp Tube Compressor With Digital Recall And Automation

Tube Compressor With Digital Recall and Automation, Dual Output design, Sidechain HPF and HF Boost, and Stereo, Dual-Mono, and Mid-Side Operation
$4,999.00
Or $139.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
B-stock available for $4,499.10
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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
$299.00
Or $50.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.3/5 Stars (32)
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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
$159.00
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (25)
Photo of elysia xmax Stereo Master Bus Compressor

elysia xmax Stereo Master Bus Compressor

2-ch Rackmount Multiband Master Bus Compressor with Soft Clipper and VariLink
$2,249.00
Or $63.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
B-stock available for $2,024.10
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (3)
In Stock
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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
$799.00
Or $23.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (40)
In Stock
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
$4,129.00
Or $115.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Photo of SPL Venos Stereo Tube Bus Compressor - Black

SPL Venos Stereo Tube Bus Compressor - Black

Variable-bias Stereo Tube Bus Compressor with Focus, Punch, Linear, Modern, and Vintage Modes; AirBass and Tape EQ Circuits, and Side-chain Insert - Black
$5,499.00
Or $153.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
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
$4,380.00
Or $122.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Photo of ART Pro VLA III Multi-voice Tube/Opto Compressor

ART Pro VLA III Multi-voice Tube/Opto Compressor

2-channel Optical Compressor with Tube/Solid-state Voicings, Stereo-linkable Channels, 1.25:1 Ratio, and Per-channel Bypass
$599.00
Or $17.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $509.15
In Stock
Only 4 Left
Photo of Fairchild Model 670 2-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor

Fairchild Model 670 2-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor

2-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with Dual-mono and Stereo Operation, Selectable Attack/Release Time Constants, Custom-designed transformers, and VU Metering
$29,500.00
Photo of SPL Iron v2 Mastering Compressor - Black

SPL Iron v2 Mastering Compressor - Black

Mastering Tube Compressor/Limiter with 4 Tubes in Circuit, 3 Tube Bias Modes, 6 Rectifier Circuits, Sidechain EQ, and 2 Passive EQ Modes
$7,299.00
Or $203.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $5,426.00
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
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
$489.00
Or $82.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.8/5 Stars (32)
In Stock
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
$3,999.00
Or $112.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.5/5 Stars (6)
In Stock
Photo of Triton Audio Kompressor In-line Compressor

Triton Audio Kompressor In-line Compressor

Phantom-powered In-line Compressor for Ribbon and Dynamic Microphones
$109.95
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (5)
In Stock
Photo of Black Lion Audio Level-Loc Compressor Saturation Module

Black Lion Audio Level-Loc Compressor Saturation Module

1-ch Compressor and Saturation Module with Mix Control, Distance Selector, and Release Mod Switch
$499.00
Or $11.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
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
$9,985.00
Or $1,665.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (3)
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Diode Bridge Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 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 $84.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Photo of Hazelrigg Industries VNE Compressor - Black, Sweetwater Exclusive

Hazelrigg Industries VNE Compressor - Black, Sweetwater Exclusive

1-channel Tube Compressor with PWM Compression Circuit, Sidechain HPF, and Transformer-coupled I/O - Black
$4,500.00
Or $125.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $4,050.00
In Stock
Photo of Warm Audio WA76-D2 Dual-channel Discrete FET Compressor/Limiter
$100.00 Off!

Warm Audio WA76-D2 Dual-channel Discrete FET Compressor/Limiter

2-channel FET Limiting Amplifier with Discrete, All-analog Circuitry, CineMag Transformers, and Sidechain HPF
$1,199.00
Or $34.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of WesAudio ng78 FET Compressor

WesAudio ng78 FET Compressor

2-channel FET Compressor with Dual Mono/True Stereo Modes, Digital Recall, and Automation
$2,499.00
Or $70.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.5/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Only 4 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. Tube-Tech CL 1B Tube Optical Compressor

    16 reviews

    $4,725.00

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

    18 reviews

    $1,799.00

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

    28 reviews

    $5,299.00

  4. Manley Stereo Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

    18 reviews

    $4,999.00

  5. elysia xmax Stereo Master Bus Compressor

    3 reviews

    $2,249.00

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.