AudioFu

Best Compressors, Gates and De-essers for Mastering 2026

Perfect compressors, gates and de-essers for mastering - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

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 Heritage Audio IGS Audio Drawmer
Locomotive Audio 14B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Lindell Audio LiN2A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Lindell Audio LiN2A

by Lindell Audio
Mix Dynamics Live Sound Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Hardware analog warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up
  • • Expensive professional units

Lindell Audio LiN2AOptical Tube CompressorHigh-quality components and Cinemag transformer from US productionWith Black...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557803
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA Compressor

by Chameleon Labs
Mix Dynamics Recording Control Mastering
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Improves mix consistency
  • • Professional vocal processing
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up

Chameleon Labs 7721 Stereo VCA CompressorStereo VCA CompressorSidechain inputSelectable high-pass filter: 60130 or 200...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 590011
$2,144
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lindell Audio LiN76 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Lindell Audio LiN76

by Lindell Audio
Vocal Processing Mastering Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up
  • • Learning curve for proper use

Lindell Audio LiN76Analogue FET Compressor / LimiterHigh-quality components and transformers from US productionControls...

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 549895
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Elysia xpressor neo qube - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Elysia xpressor neo qube

by Elysia
Live Sound Vocal Processing Mastering
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Improves mix consistency
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

Elysia xpressor neo qubeStereo Class-A VCA CompressorFor recordingmixing and masteringSmooth control behaviour due to...

⭐ 4.4/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557544
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Heritage Audio Tubesessor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Chandler Limited RS660 Tube Compressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Heritage Audio LANG P.LANE Type 436 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Heritage Audio LANG P.LANE Type 436

by Heritage Audio
Mix Dynamics Mastering Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Professional vocal processing
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Learning curve for proper use

Heritage Audio LANG P.LANE Type 436Tube Vari-Mu CompressorOne channelThree integrated tubes: One NOS 6H5Pone JJ...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618800
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Black Lion Audio Seventeen-500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Black Lion Audio Seventeen-500

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

Black Lion Audio Seventeen-500Mono-FET-CompressorInspired by a legendary studio instrumentCompact 500 formatOptimised...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 580155
$681
Buy at Thomann View Details
AEA 1029 Kompressor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

AEA 1029 Kompressor

by AEA
Live Sound Mix Dynamics Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Professional vocal processing
✓ PROS
  • • Essential dynamic range control
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional units
  • • Can sound unnatural if overused

AEA 1029 KompressorStereo VCA Compressor3 Selectable detection times: Peak FastRMS and Peak SlowThreshold adjustable...

⭐ 4.5/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612142
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Neve 88C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Neve 88C

by Neve
Recording Control Live Sound Vocal Processing
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Essential dynamic range control
  • • Real-time tactile control
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper use
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins

Neve 88CTwo-Channel Desktop CompressorVCA compressorDerived from the 88R channel stripCompactportablerobust formatPower...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609294
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warm Audio WA76-A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Warm Audio WA76-A

by Warm Audio
Mastering Live Sound Recording Control
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Expensive professional units

Warm Audio WA76-AFET CompressorAnaloguediscrete FET compressorFaithful reproduction of the ‘Blue Stripe’ FET...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604176
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Vertigo Sound VSC-3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Elysia xmax qube - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Elysia xmax qube

by Elysia
Vocal Processing Recording Control Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Real-time tactile control
✓ PROS
  • • Real-time tactile control
  • • Essential dynamic range control
✗ CONS
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins
  • • Expensive professional units

Elysia xmax qubeClass-A Stereo Master Bus Processor for Mixing and MasteringMultiband compressor with lowmid and...

⭐ 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610373
$1,473
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warm Audio WA76-A2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Warm Audio WA76-A2

by Warm Audio
Vocal Processing Recording Control Live Sound
Key Feature:
• Improves mix consistency
✓ PROS
  • • Essential dynamic range control
  • • Improves mix consistency
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good monitoring to set up
  • • Limited flexibility compared to plugins

Warm Audio WA76-A22-Channel FET CompressorAnaloguediscrete 2-channel FET compressorFaithful reproduction of the ‘Blue...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604177
$1,374
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.

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