H-Comp Hybrid Compressor is a compressor plugin from Waves that combines digital precision with four selectable analog sound characters. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.
H-Comp Hybrid Compressor is built around a choice of analog personalities rather than a single fixed coloration. Waves draws on the SSL, API and V-series compressors as reference points for its sound, and the plugin adds controls such as Variable Punch, tempo-synced release and a peak limiter. A dry/wet mix control makes it suitable for parallel compression on drums, loops and vocals.
Waves says H-Comp lets you choose from four analog sound characters that can be applied to both the dry and processed signal. This gives you a way to add tube, transformer or transistor-style warmth without committing to one fixed coloration.
The Variable Punch control is designed to improve on the fixed punch of vintage hardware. Used together with the dry/wet mix, it helps you shape how much attack and density the compressor adds to a track.
The release time can be synced to the host tempo or BPM, or set manually. Tempo sync is useful when you want the release to feel locked to the groove of a rhythm track or loop.
A peak limiter sets a ceiling so that the signal does not overload subsequent stages in your chain. The dry/wet mix control supports parallel compression, letting you blend a heavily compressed signal back under the original.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Waves |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Compressor |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
H-Comp Hybrid Compressor is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.
The plugin supports Windows and macOS. Waves lists macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15 and Windows 10 or later as system requirements, with VST and AAX for Windows and VST, AU and AAX for Mac.
Yes. The release time can be synced to the host tempo or BPM, or set manually.
The dry/wet mix control lets you blend the processed signal with the dry signal, which is the basis for parallel compression.
