Compressor hardware vs. software?

[TOBZ]

Hey guys, I often see producers working with both hardware and software compressors in their production.
What are the main pros and cons for using such compressors?


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Many thanks.

TOBZ

 

[themusicproducerblog]

Analog:

+ Better Quality
+ Real Knobs
- No Automation
- Expensive
- No Recall

 

[bandcoach]

^^
I think you mean hardware and not all hardware compressors suffer from a lack of recall

the differences are minute

quality comes down to build and component sourcing for hardware and the precision of the internal mathematics doing the dsp in software
cost is dependent on the above facets of construction

imo the only real benefit of hardware is real knobs

 

[hollandturbine]

The main advantage of a hardware Compressor/Limiter it can be used to keep levels under control prior to input....something you just can't do with software.

 

[ASTRAL_BABE]

depends...

Good software comp (UAD for example) > cheap hardware comp
Good software comp < Real hardware comp (Cant go wrong with LA-2A )

 

[JBlongz]

I've heard the UA hardware compressors at KMA studio in Manhattan....and I own the equivalent UAD software. There seems to be a very slight difference at the recording stage. There is a kind of bite on the dynamics that I don't get in the software. BUT When mixed down to the final product, I don't hear the difference anymore.