SphereComp dual-mode compressor plugin interface by W. A. Production

SphereComp: Dual-Mode Compressor Plugin by W. A. Production Free Download

Rated 4.4/5 on Plugin Boutique (4,964 ratings)

SphereComp is a dual-mode compressor plugin from W. A. Production that switches between peak compression for shaping individual tracks and RMS compression for gluing group and bus mixes together.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

SphereComp is an effects plugin built around compression. Its Buss switch changes how the compressor detects level: Regular mode reacts to signal peaks, which suits dynamic shaping of single tracks, while Buss mode reacts to the average level, which suits drum groups and mix busses. Controls cover input and output gain, threshold, ratio, attack, release and auto gain, with extra options for stereo or mono operation, parallel punch, tube-style saturation, side-chain routing, soft clipping and dry/wet blending. The plugin ships with 45 presets covering individual instruments, drum sounds, groups, mix busses and mastering, and it is supplied with a manual.

Best for

Drum bus compression
Gluing group tracks
Mix bus compression
Parallel compression
Individual track dynamics
Mastering compression

Developer: W. A. Production
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Switchable peak (Regular) and RMS (Buss) compression modes
Input and output gain control, each +/- 15 dB
Threshold, ratio, attack and release controls in milliseconds
Auto Gain matches output volume to input volume
Stereo and mono processing modes
Punch parallel processing before the compression stage
Tube-style saturation and a Clean option to reduce coloration
Side-chain input, soft clipping and dry/wet parallel blending

03In depth

Peak and RMS Compression Modes

The Buss switch is the core of SphereComp. In Regular mode the compressor responds to the peaks of the signal, which lets you dynamically shape individual tracks. In Buss mode it responds to the RMS, or average, level of the signal, which is designed for tying a group of tracks together, such as a drum bus.

The developer notes that some individual tracks benefit more from RMS compression, and some groups or mixes benefit more from peak compression. Trying both modes on the same material is the practical way to decide which fits.

Key Controls for Level, Timing and Blend

Input and Output each offer +/- 15 dB of gain. Threshold sets the level at which compression starts, and Ratio sets how strongly signal above the threshold is reduced. Attack and Release, both in milliseconds, control how quickly the compressor engages and recovers.

Auto Gain matches output level to input level automatically, which helps when comparing settings. Dry/Wet blends the processed and unprocessed signal for parallel compression, leaving peaks untouched while raising the lower part of the signal.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	W. A. Production
Type	Plugin
Category	Compressor
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does SphereComp support?

SphereComp is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats, and runs on Windows and macOS. It is a 64-bit plugin.

What do I need to run SphereComp?

The listed requirements are Windows 8 or higher (32- or 64-bit) and macOS 10.13 or later (64-bit only). AAX requires Pro Tools 11 or higher. The developer also asks Apple Silicon Mac users to check current compatibility before purchasing.

What is the difference between Regular and Buss mode?

Regular mode compresses based on signal peaks and suits shaping individual tracks. Buss mode compresses based on RMS, or average level, and is designed for groups of tracks such as drums.