AudioFu

Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers 2025

Top-rated compressors, gates and de-essers 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Vocal Processing For Mix Dynamics For Recording Control For Live Sound For Mastering
BRANDS: Elysia Warm Audio IGS Audio Heritage Audio Drawmer
Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer

by Rupert Neve Designs
Mix Dynamics Mastering Vocal Processing
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Professional vocal processing
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus TransformerAnalog Stereo Master ProcessorHigh-pass filter adjustable from 15 Hz - 100...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575536
$4,766
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio B172A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Black Lion Audio B172A

by Black Lion Audio
Mix Dynamics Mastering Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Improves mix consistency
  • • Hardware analog warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Black Lion Audio B172AMono CompressorHybrid compressor with FET circuit and T4BLA optocouplerFET compressor from the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 494039
$1,868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor

by Chandler Limited
Recording Control Live Sound Mastering
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Essential dynamic range control
  • • Professional vocal processing
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Chandler Limited RS124 Compressor1-Channel tube compressorSwitches for inputoutputattack and recoveryVU meterOutput...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 382209
$3,838
Buy at Thomann View Details
Empirical Labs Fatso - EL7X - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Empirical Labs Fatso - EL7X

by Empirical Labs
Vocal Processing Mix Dynamics Mastering
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Improves mix consistency
  • • Hardware analog warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up
  • • Learning curve for proper use

Empirical Labs Fatso - EL7X2-channel analog tape simulation and optimizerWith Classic Knee compressionInputs and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 350378
$3,255
Buy at Thomann View Details
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2A

by Golden Age Audio
Mastering Mix Dynamics Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Professional vocal processing
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Golden Age Audio Project Comp-2AVintage-style single channel tube compressor / limiterTransformer balanced input and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407995
$648
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio Bluey Limiter - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Black Lion Audio Bluey Limiter

by Black Lion Audio
Mix Dynamics Live Sound Mastering
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional units
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

Black Lion Audio Bluey LimiterMono CompressorModified "Blue Stripe" compressor based on a device from Chris...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 476381
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Locomotive Audio 14B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Locomotive Audio 14B

by Locomotive Audio
Vocal Processing Recording Control Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

Locomotive Audio 14B1-Channel Vari-Mu CompressorTubes: 1x 6BC81x 12AY7 and 2x 6V6sInput and output level variably...

⭐ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612216
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Vertigo Sound VSC-3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Vertigo Sound VSC-3

by Vertigo Sound
Mix Dynamics Recording Control Mastering
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Vertigo Sound VSC-3Quad Discrete CompressorAnalogue circuit with two discrete VCA's and Cinemag input transformer...

⭐ 4.4/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 546030
$6,049
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Audio Tubesessor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Heritage Audio Tubesessor

by Heritage Audio
Mix Dynamics Mastering Vocal Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Essential dynamic range control
  • • Hardware analog warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused
  • • Learning curve for proper use

Heritage Audio TubesessorOptical Tube CompressorFully tube-based amplifier stage and fully transformer-balanced inputs...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 555270
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warm Audio Bus-Comp - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Warm Audio Bus-Comp

by Warm Audio
Vocal Processing Mix Dynamics Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Real-time tactile control
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins

Warm Audio Bus-Comp2-Channel VCA CompressorSwitchable signal path with CineMag USA input and output transformerTHAT...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 482256
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warm Audio WA-1B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Warm Audio WA-1B

by Warm Audio
Live Sound Mix Dynamics Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Hardware analog warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional units
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

Warm Audio WA-1B1-Channel Tube Opto-CompressorWith output transformersTrue to the original 270 V100 % discrete analogue...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 577304
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Golden Age Audio Project Comp-3A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Golden Age Audio Project Comp-3A

by Golden Age Audio
Mix Dynamics Mastering Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Hardware analog warmth
✓ PROS
  • • Hardware analog warmth
  • • Real-time tactile control
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Golden Age Audio Project Comp-3A1-Channel vintage-style compressorTransformer balanced input and outputClassic T4-style...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383812
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
IGS Audio Multicore - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

IGS Audio Multicore

by IGS Audio
Mastering Mix Dynamics Vocal Processing
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

IGS Audio MulticoreMulti-Band Compressor3-BandAnalog VCA compressionRatio: 2:110: 1Attack: 0.1Release: 0.1AutoFrequency...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 405703
$3,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Looptrotter Monster Compressor 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Looptrotter Monster Compressor 2

by Looptrotter
Vocal Processing Recording Control Mix Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

Looptrotter Monster Compressor 22-Channel FET Compressor with Tube Saturation6N2P NOS tubesAttack Time: 0.1 ms - 100...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 501686
$4,509
Buy at Thomann View Details
Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor

by Chandler Limited
Mastering Mix Dynamics Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Hardware analog warmth
✓ PROS
  • • Hardware analog warmth
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins

Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor1-Channel Tube Compressor3 Compression modes: THDCompLimitVariable time constants...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553342
$4,454
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced compressors, gates and de-essers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best 500 Series Components

POPULAR

Best Parametric Equalizers

TOP

Best Vocalists

TOP

Best Voice Processor

POPULAR

Best Limiters

RELATED

Best Multi Effect Processors

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more