Hi All,

I have just recently started compressing electric guitars with dedicated comp plugins. Before I was either using channel strip comps or none at all.

So I realized my electric guitars sound better and blend in the mix much better with some compression on the bus.

So far I’ve experimented with all VCA pluginsI could get my hands on ( SSLs, Vertigo, Townhouse, The Glue), also tried SPL Iron, Shadow Hills… so far the only one that did the trick for me was Waves CLA-3A but I have the feeling that there must be something much better out there, the guitar could have a bit more depth.

which compressor plugin is the best in your opinion for rock electric guitars?

Many thanks

LA-3A style, Waves Renaissance Axx... sometimes I also put Fairchild or Distressor style compressor on guitar.

Klanghelm MJUC and PSP FETpressor are a couple of my goto's. They add a nice weight and thickness even with only 1 or 2 dB of gain reduction, and even if the guitars already sound good before compression. If the guitars sound too dark I might use (instead of or also along with the others) IK Multimedia Black 76. That can really brighten up the upper mids (even with low or no compression) without any EQ.

thanks, which is better in your opinion between Klanghelm MJUC and PSP FETpressor ?

thanks man, can you recommend a distressor plugin in particular?

I probably use MJUC slightly more, but definitely try both to see what you prefer.

For the Distressor, check out Kiive Xstressor. Empirical Labs Arouser and Slate FG-stress are also top tier, IKM Comprexxor is decent if you can pick it up inexpensively.

I love diode bridge comps on guitars. 2254 style are fantastic and I use PA Lindell 254e and UAD 2254 a ton. Sometimes, if they need a bit more thickening I'll use a TG style Softube TG is amazing and so is Waves Abbey Rd Mastering. Speaking of Abbey Rd, RS124 (no longer in diode bridge territory, but vari-mu which diode bridges were designed to emulate) can sweeten the crunch, especially in parallel but if care is taken setting it up, it just sings with leads.

+1 on the MJUC. Great compressor. Versatile too.

Good post. The Heritage 609a diode would be a very good choice. Also, for sweetening, the Highland dynamics BG2. Fortunately, there are many good choices beyond these as well.

Purafieds new VU compressor has a LA3A emulation in it.
Sounds good and has a EQ low and hi with a bump to change the sound pre or post compression.
And variable distortion to add.

Among my comp plugins, Black Rooster VLA-3A, Purple MC77, and MJUC get used for electric guitar the most. I also like the compressor in the Lindell 80 channel strip for guitar (I believe that's a 2254 type, as echotodd referred to?).

The TDR Molot deserves a listen for this purpose. More for that vintage vibe and yet in a plugin.

If better blending is the goal, a saturation plugin may bring more satisfying result than a compressor.

leapwing joe’s plugin

That is correct!

I actually combine both

I tested a bunch compressors on guitar over the last days ( Black Rooster VL3A, Black Rooster VLA FET, Waves CLA3A, Pulsar 1178, Pulsar Smasher, Lindell 354e, Shadow Hills, Vertigo VSC-2, SSL Native Bus Comp, Townhouse, Waves Abbey Road RS124, Logic Stock Compressors, Kiive Xtressor, Softube FET Compressor and Arturia FET 76)

to me the clear winners were

1. Arturia FET 76
2. Softube FET

I ended up buying the Arturia

Just curious, why?