Capitol Mastering Compressor by Universal Audio tube compressor plugin interface

Capitol Mastering Compressor: Tube Mastering Compressor Plugin by Universal Audio

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (67 ratings)

Capitol Mastering Compressor is a tube-style compressor plugin from Universal Audio, modeled on the CM5511 mastering compressor used at Capitol Studios. It runs on Windows and macOS in VST3, AU and AAX formats and works with any audio interface.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Capitol Mastering Compressor brings the CM5511, a handbuilt tube mastering compressor, into your DAW. Universal Audio describes the plugin as an exacting emulation of the hardware, which was designed for consistent results across Capitol's four mastering rooms and drew on vintage Fairchild 670 and Gates Sta-Level tube limiters. The plugin adds plug-in-only controls for low end, saturation, stereo width and metering, so you can handle full mix processing in the box.

Best for

Stereo bus mastering
Drum bus compression
Synth group processing
Background vocal glue
Low end tightening
Stereo width enhancement

Developer: Universal Audio
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Handbuilt tube compressor modeled on the CM5511 mastering hardware
Saturator, Mix and Headroom controls for adding color and texture
Mono Fold for tightening the low end
Mid/Side processing for adjusting stereo width
dBFS and LUFS metering for level monitoring
Sidechain filter for controlling the compressor's detection
Runs with any audio interface, no UA hardware needed
Available in VST3, AU and AAX formats

03In depth

Tube Compression Character for Mastering and Mix Bus

The plugin is built around the warm, tube-based character of the CM5511 hardware. Universal Audio says the emulation is meant to deliver the same finishing sound used on remastered catalogs from Capitol, Blue Note, Motown and Verve.

The Saturator, Mix and Headroom controls let you add color and texture to a mix. Because these controls are plug-in only, they go beyond the original hardware and give you options for shaping the sound at the end of the chain.

The plugin is not limited to the two-bus. It can also be placed on a drum bus, synth group or background vocal group to add the same tube-style dynamics control to individual parts.

Stereo Width, Low End and Metering Tools

Mono Fold and Mid/Side features let you tighten the low end and widen the stereo image. These tools are useful when you want a focused bass and a wider top end on the stereo bus.

The plugin includes dBFS and LUFS metering, along with a sidechain filter. Together, these give you the level and dynamics information you need while making mastering decisions.

No UA hardware is required. You can run Capitol Mastering Compressor on any compatible audio interface.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Universal Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Compressor
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does Capitol Mastering Compressor support?

The plugin is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS, and the system requirements list support for Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) and macOS Big Sur 11 through Tahoe 26.

What do I need to use Capitol Mastering Compressor?

You need a supported DAW compatible with VST3, AU or AAX plug-in formats, an internet connection to download the software and authorize UAD Native plug-ins, and a free UA Connect application for managing them. A free iLok account is also required. An iLok USB key is optional.