Universal Audio's Capitol Tube Compressor: Do You Need It?

Universal Audio has released its latest plugin, the Capitol Tube Compressor, and it has been making waves in the audio engineering community. In this review, we'll take a closer look at what this plugin has to offer, whether or not it lives up to the hype, and most importantly do you need it?

Design

The Capitol Tube Compressor is a faithful emulation of the iconic Fairchild 670 compressor that was used to shape the sound of countless classic recordings. It features an all-tube signal path, including a 6BC8 and a 6CG7 vacuum tube, and a custom T4 electro-optical attenuator. It also has two independent channels, each with its own gain and threshold controls, as well as attack and release time controls that can be switched between three different positions.

One unique feature of this plugin is its Mix control, which allows you to blend the compressed and uncompressed signals. This can be incredibly useful for adding a subtle amount of compression to a mix without sacrificing dynamics or for creating parallel compression effects.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Capitol Tube Compressor is outstanding. It has a warm and transparent tone that can add a subtle, yet musical compression to any source. It excels on vocals, drums, bass, and even on the master bus. The plugin is capable of imparting a certain "glue" to a mix and can help to bring out the details in a recording.

The T4 electro-optical attenuator is a key ingredient in achieving the classic Fairchild sound. It provides a smooth and natural compression that is never harsh or brittle. The attack and release time controls are also incredibly versatile, allowing you to dial in anything from fast and punchy to slow and smooth compression.

Conclusion

The Universal Audio Capitol Tube Compressor is a fantastic plugin that is sure to become a staple in many audio engineer's toolkits. Its faithful emulation of the Fairchild 670 compressor and its warm and transparent tone make it an excellent choice for adding musical compression to any source. Its unique Mix control and versatile attack and release time controls make it incredibly versatile and useful in a variety of mixing scenarios. Overall, the Capitol Tube Compressor is a plugin that is definitely worth considering for anyone looking to add a touch of classic analog compression to their mixes.

Thank you for reading this review of Universal Audio's Capitol Tube Compressor. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.