So I decided to try out the demo of the new compressor by FabFilter called "Pro-C". I'd imagine "C" stands for compressor. I'm a huge fan of the FabFilter products ... Twin, Timeless, Volcano ... there all great! But I've always thought of FabFilter tools as synths and funky effects. Not bread and butter tools (like compressors).

I decided to put the Pro-C up against my two favorite software compressors ... Logic's Compressor and the Sonalksis SV-315. Both have distinctive sounds, and both are heavily used in my productions. When I first test out new goodies I start out with a drum beat and then add the sugar (plugins!)

I used battery 3 to make a quick beat and then applied the Pro-C ... first impression: Very versatile.

You have three distinctive compressor algorithms to choose from: Clean, Classic, and Opto. Each one acts exactly as they should. The clean setting is a standard digital compressor, classic simulates tube compression, and opto provides that transparent opto sound (like an Avalon AD2044 ).

As usual, the Pro-C comes with all the cool FabFilter GUI effects and has some really nice midi controls. How likely am I to bust out the midi controls on a single compressor? Not very likely, but options are always nice to have.

So how did the Pro-C compare to similar settings on Logic's Compressor and the SV-315? (note: I bounced each compressor within 1 decibel of each other). Have a listen:

Beat with FabFilter Pro-C:

Beat with Logic's Compressor:

Beat with Sonalksis SV-315:

Overall, the Pro-C is a strong competitor. Logic's Compressor was the weakest out of the three, and the SV-315 brought out more bass. I preferred the Pro-C's sound because it was more balanced and still retained a nice fat sound wtih sharp transients. But, the real test is actually using it in a production and seeing how it performs during battle! Or maybe a 1 hour song?

I'll give my 30 day evaluation a good workout and then decide if $200 (actually $129 since I own the other toys) is worth it. (Maybe FabFilter is planning a Pro-EQ?)