VM-COMP compressor plugin by Pulsar Audio interface

VM-COMP: Tube-Style Stereo Compressor by Pulsar Audio Free Download

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (1,743 ratings)

VM-COMP is a stereo compressor plugin by Pulsar Audio, modeled on a tube compressor/limiter and designed for mixing, mastering and tracking. It works in Left/Right or Mid/Side modes.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

VM-COMP is a compressor plugin from Pulsar Audio, based on a legendary tube compressor/limiter. Pulsar says its Topology Preservation Technology reproduces the hardware's sound in every production context. The plugin can level a signal, limit it, or add a touch of analog-style warmth through its emulated tube signal path. It also adds features the original lacks, including a visual sidechain EQ, look-ahead and look-behind timing, and faster attack and release times.

Best for

Bus compression
Mastering glue
Drum bus processing
Vocal warmth
Acoustic guitar grooves
Snare body and consistency

Developer: Pulsar Audio
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Topology Preservation Technology for hardware-faithful tube sound
Stereo compression in Left/Right or Mid/Side modes
Sidechain EQ with an on-screen curve editor
Look-ahead and look-behind sidechain timing
Extended attack and release ranges
Advanced metering with SIFAM and modern visualization modes
External sidechain input
Low CPU consumption

03In depth

Sound and Character of VM-COMP

Pulsar describes VM-COMP as transparent with a touch of warmth. The developer says it handles transients in a soft, musical way even at extreme settings, which sets it apart from FET or VCA compressors.

In mastering, the plugin can work as a transparent leveller with long attack and release times, as a glue compressor with a slow attack and fast release, or as a limiter with fast attack and release. In Mid/Side mode it can widen a mix or narrow an overly wide one.

Faster attacks and releases allow a more aggressive, mid-forward tone than the original unit can produce, according to the developer.

Sidechain EQ, Metering and Timing Controls

The sidechain section includes an EQ with bass, midrange and treble control, and an on-screen curve editor for shaping the sidechain response. A high-pass filter option is also available.

Look-ahead lets the compressor react before a transient arrives, and look-behind lets it react after. Together these give fine control over transient handling.

The metering section reproduces SIFAM metering from the original hardware and adds a modern visualization mode that shows waveform and gain reduction over time and instantaneously. An external sidechain input is also included.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Pulsar Audio
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 VM-COMP support?

VM-COMP is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS and is 64-bit only.

What do I need to use VM-COMP?

You need an account at ilok.com to activate Pulsar software. On Windows, the minimum requirements are 4 GB RAM, 1 GB free disk space and an OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU. The Mac version supports macOS 10.9 and higher, including Apple Silicon.