V-Comp is a compressor and limiter plugin from Waves, modeled on the diode-bridge 2254 bus processor. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.
V-Comp is an effects plugin from Waves that focuses on compression and limiting. Its design follows the 2254 bus processor, a diode-bridge unit introduced in 1969 and known for a thick, textured sound. The plugin is built for producers who want bus-style compression with an analog character. It can also be used as a de-esser by switching a dedicated option. Waves includes 37 presets from mixing engineers to help you start quickly.
Waves describes V-Comp as modeling the thick, rich, textured sound of three audio transformers, which it presents as central to the 2254-style sound. The plugin includes four analog characters that remain active even when compression is turned off, so you can add coloration to a signal without changing its dynamics.
Because the character controls work independently of the compressor, they can be used to add warmth or grit to tracks that do not need gain reduction.
V-Comp is designed for straightforward operation, which Waves says makes it easy to dial in a sound quickly. It works as a compressor and as a limiter, with the same underlying processing style.
A switchable option turns the compressor into a de-esser, giving you a second use for the same plugin on vocals or other sibilant sources. The 37 included presets, created by mixing engineers, provide starting points for common tasks.
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 |
V-Comp is a Waves effects plugin that acts as a compressor and limiter. It is modeled on the 2254 bus processor and is designed to give tracks a thick, textured analog sound.
V-Comp is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS. Mac support covers macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15, and PC support covers Windows 10 and later.
Yes. A switchable option turns the compressor into a de-esser, which can be useful on vocals and other sibilant sources.
V-Comp is a plugin, so you need a compatible host application that supports VST2, AU or AAX on Windows or macOS.
