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Compressor

Neve 33609

Universal Audio

Where to get itAvailable from Universal Audiouaudio.com

The Neve 33609 is a legendary outboard limiter/compressor emulation featuring diode-bridge dynamics control with independent left and right channel controls. Originally a workhorse on mix buses since the 1970s, the UAD version adds modern conveniences like Sidechain Filter, Dry/Wet Mix, and Fast/Slow Attack controls while preserving the unit's distinctive fat, British character and harmonic distortion qualities.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

01Diode-bridge gain reduction with nonlinear modeling of harmonic distortion characteristics
02Independent left and right channel controls with link/unlink option
03Limit Threshold range +4 to +15 dB in 0.5 dB increments
04Compress Threshold range -20 to +10 dB in 2 dB increments
05Compression ratios: 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1
06Limit Attack: Fast (2 ms) or Slow (4 ms)
07Compress Attack: Fast (3 ms) or Slow (6 ms)
08Sidechain Filter with continuously variable 12 dB/octave shelving (20-500 Hz)
09Dry/Wet Mix control for parallel compression
10Headroom adjustment (4-28 dB) for tailoring compression response
11Limit Recovery and Compress Recovery with AUTO modes and program-dependent second-order filter behavior

Things to Try

  • 01Use Sidechain Filter by rotating clockwise to sweep between 20-500 Hz to reduce excessive gain reduction on bass-heavy sources without affecting bass content
  • 02Enable Dry/Wet Mix at 50% for parallel compression without creating additional DAW routings
  • 03Adjust Headroom counter-clockwise to lower dB values for less gain reduction and less color; rotate clockwise to push signals into gain reduction for more nonlinearity and harmonic distortion
  • 04Switch Compress Attack to Slow (6 ms) position for smoother engagement compared to Fast (3 ms) setting
Official Website↗User Manual↗

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