I currently use the following hardware compressors:
* Drum bus = Roland M16E mixer for saturation > FMR RNLA
* Master bus = Warm Audio Bus Comp (SSL clone + transistors + bass filter (as per API2500)).
I'm very, very satisfied with these. They do exactly what I want... However, I'm looking to streamline my workflow and start to use software effects predominantly during the composition and arrangement phase, then only switch to hardware compressors for mixing and mastering.

I'm pretty sure I'm going for the BX_Townhouse to mimic my SSL clone on the master channel.

But I am still seeking a solution to sit-in for my RNLA on the drum bus. I want something with the capacity to be quite chewy and aggressive, although I will mostly dial it back to a more moderate setting.

From my research, my favourite contenders so far are as follows:
* Softube Dyna-Mite
* McDSP 4030 Retro
* Elysia MPressor

I love the sound of all of these, in general. I feel the Softube and McDSP are a bit more aggressive and probably preferable for this particular need.
However, I think all three use iLok security, which I had problems with in the distant past and I'm not keen to rush back to. I can't tell for sure, but I suspect the Elysia MPressor needed iLok at launch, but possibly abandoned this when it migrated to sale via Plugin-Alliance (??), but still, I think that while it's an outstanding compressor, the other two would be better suited to this particular task (and both definitely need iLok).

So I'm posting this thread to solicit suggestions from you. Can you suggest other options?
Has anyone got both Dyna-Mite and the McDSP and could speak to their similarities and differences? I cannot find any comparison of the two at similar settings on the same material.

NB I own Acustica Nebula 4 and it's incredible, but won't be suitable here as I want something that is not CPU-heavy and is not adding huge latency.

Here are some of the more useful resources I found while looking into this question:

https://gearshoot.com/reviews/20-plu...rums-shootout/

https://resoundsound.com/best-bus-compressor-plugins/

Adaptr Audio Sculpt

I use it a lot on old school breaks, brings the crack and the thump out so nicely.

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/p...tr_sculpt.html

If you are a NI user - don't overlook Supercharger GT (has to be the GT version) - an absolutely fantastic character compressor - I have billions of plugin and this compressor makes it into every mix - great on the drumbus.

hi NIC, my favorite 'tude comp is softube's chandler germanium -- very easy to dial in, hard to make sound bad, and rocks when set right - BUT of course is ilok only

tokyo dawn's molotok and kotelnikov ge are both excellent as well and cover a wider range of applications, but more finicky to set up

fellow slutz swear that dmg's trackcomp2 is balls on accurate to the ssl and 2500, but i have demoed it 3 times and can't make it speak (user error no doubt)

Waves Pie. Tremendous for what you’re looking for.

This.

(I'm ignoring whether it has ilok or not since I don't pay attention and don't remember which has it and which doesn't)

Maybe...

* SSL Native Bus Compressor 2
* TDR Molot GE
* Kush Silika
* one of the Distressor clones out

https://dmgaudio.com/trackcomp

Eventide omnipressor