Comp VCA-65

The deluxe drum treatment in a plug-in.

The ultimate rhythm section compressor, Comp VCA-65 is a perfectly recreated VCA compressor with a modern twist, letting you add that iconic compressor snap behind so many hits to your own tracks.

When it was released, the original DBX 165A® was a compressor unlike any other.

Rather than the more traditional vacuum tube, it used a solid-state VCA to create its compression effect, and cutting-edge RMS dynamics detection. It also sounded great, which is the important thing!

These days, it’s getting harder and harder to find working originals, but their legendary sound-shaping power is still highly sought-after. Now, thanks to Arturia’s advanced TAE® modelling, you can enjoy using this fabled compressor in your DAW, on as many channels as you want, and with advanced features only possible through software.

Unlike the more common DBX 160, the 165A® sported several unique features that made it a “must have” for studios looking for tight, punchy percussive sounds. Known as the “Over Easy” compressor, its auto attack-decay detection made great compression simple, its harsh peakstop limiter added a touch of vintage filth when things really hit hard, and its unique compression sound gives even extreme settings a natural feel.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use compressor with character, you’ll love Comp VCA-65.

What’s so special
about Comp VCA-65?

Every nuance, and quirk that made the original DBX compressor so sought-after has been perfectly recreated in software.

Through careful analysis and painstaking research everything from the biting “crunch” of the peakstop to the fluid “over easy” knee is here. It’s just like having the original compressor in your DAW, but revamped with some powerful new abilities.

Spice up your loop

Lifeless loops getting you down? Let this reborn iconic hardware VCA energize and fatten up your beats!

Tame those guitar amps!

Clean and subtle compression from Arturia’s Advanced side chain EQ will let you tame the attack of this electric guitar while retaining its body.

Your drum's best friend

Comp VCA-65 is a real prizefighter for drums, adding life and toasty crunch to your drum bus.

Add vintage distortion when limiting

Add some analog dirt with the mighty VCA-65 Peakstop limiter, and blend in with the original track using included parallel compression.

Beauty and the Grit

The Comp VCA-65 characteristic grit, pushed to the extreme, combined with the power of M/S processing, adds strong character to this airy piano track.

Sounds great on drums, percussion, and bass

“Over easy compressor” by name and by nature! Hear a simple snare through the gentle hands of Comp VCA-65.

Vintage tone,
modern features

As incredible as the original compressor was, music production has moved on since the 70s.

Just because the technology has changed, it doesn’t mean we have to leave these classics behind. When recreated this compressor, we included several contemporary features with modern producers in mind.

The top panel of the interface gives you access to all of the original controls. You can click to expand the plugin to and access its advanced, new features.

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01. Push the button

Last, but certainly not least, Comp VCA-65 includes a “manual” mode for the sidechain. When this mode is engaged, you can trigger the side chain with the virtual button to see how it reacts, and automate it in your DAW so you can get total control without even needing an input audio source.

02. Let’s do the Time Warp

Because we’re working in the digital domain, it’s easy to introduce a couple of milliseconds of pre-delay without you even noticing. The “Time Warp” function lets you take advantage of this, so you can get creative with your placement of the compression envelope as it engages and releases. This is a dream come true for experimental producers and sound designers!

03. The “S” Word

The sidechain includes an integrated SSL®-style EQ, letting you hone in on particular frequencies of the sidechain signal that activates the compressor. One easy, effective use for this is to use the EQ to boost the sibilance of a vocal, and let the sidechain act as a highly customizable de-esser.

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Inclus dans
FX collection

Des effets vraiment utiles

Cet effet fait partie de la FX Collection, une suite logicielle d’effets offrant la possibilité aux musiciens et artistes d’être plus créatif. Elle contient de précieux outils pour votre studio, qu’il s’agisse de pédales de guitare très rares, d’enregistreurs à bande de légende, ou d’effets modernes pour l’amélioration de vos mixages. Perfectionnez et ajoutez de la couleur à vos créations comme vous ne l’avez jamais fait auparavant.

Plus d’infos

Toutes les fonctionnalités
dont vous avez besoin

  • Prêt pour les DAW

    Quelle que soit la façon dont vous utilisez ces plug-ins, que ce soit pour le formidable son de leur réverbe, l’aspect abrasif de leurs préamplis ou leurs exceptionnelles capacités de design sonore, vous pouvez être sûr qu’ils seront pleinement compatibles avec votre configuration. Ils fonctionnent dans toutes les principales STAN sur Windows et MacOS.

  • ASC

    L’Arturia Software Center vous sert à télécharger, organiser et mettre à jour tous vos logiciels d’Arturia au même endroit, ou encore à gérer toutes vos licences sur plusieurs appareils. Plus c’est simple, mieux c’est.

  • Interface modulable

    Que diriez-vous d’une immersion visuelle totale dans nos émulations d’effets historiques ? À moins que vous ne préfériez économiser le précieux espace sur votre écran ? Les interfaces de tous les instruments virtuels d’Arturia peuvent être redimensionnées à la taille qui vous convient.

  • Contrôle en temps réel

    Tous les paramètres des plug-ins de la FX Collection peuvent être assignés à votre contrôleur MIDI préféré pour vous permettre de piloter votre projet du bout des doigts. Balayez un filtre, poussez un préampli ou façonnez votre modulation à la volée.

  • Tutoriels intégrés

    Tous les plug-ins de la FX Collection intègrent des tutoriels détaillant les paramètres et les réglages clés. Vous y trouverez même des astuces de mixage pour obtenir le meilleur son possible. La section dédiée aux tutoriels vous présente également les commandes que vous utilisez en temps réel ; vous saurez donc à chaque instant ce que vous faites.

  • Navigateur de presets

    Le navigateur de presets de la FX Collection vous permet de chercher, organiser et sauvegarder facilement vos presets favoris pour les rappeler dès que vous en avez besoin. Triez-les par type d’instrument, genre musical, technique de production, etc. Vous trouverez ainsi rapidement les réglages qu’il vous faut et profiterez de ce temps gagné pour être encore plus créatif !

Le pouvoir de la TAE®

C’est la TAE®, notre technologie de modélisation analogique, qui permet de reproduire fidèlement les sonorités des instruments et des effets dont nous nous inspirons pour nos logiciels.

En reproduisant avec précision les caractéristiques des oscillateurs analogiques, des filtres et de l’écrêtage doux, nous conservons dans nos logiciels le charme du son propre aux machines analogiques, ainsi que leur caractère lié aux différents composants électroniques qui les constituent.

Plus d’infos

Gallery

Main Features

Virtual recreation of famed classic VCA compressor

Original electronic path accurately modeled, including VCA and transistors, using Arturia’s state-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling

Original fast attack & release parameters with Auto mode

Original Peakstop limiter

Original variable ratio form 1:1 to 1:oo

Additional Arturia creative side-chain features:

  • External side-chain source to trigger the compressor to an external source
  • Playful manual pad to manually trigger the compression
  • 7 creative detection mode, including M/S processing
  • Time warp function with look ahead or delay added to your side-chain path
  • Advanced Side-chain EQ
  • Compression range parameter to limit the amount of gain reduction applied, with 0dB position for FET-76 with no compression/distorsion only sound
  • Monitor Side-chain signal directly

Dry/wet Mix knob for parallel compression

Switchable Analog VU meter with 3 calibrations mode (-18dBFs, -12dBS, -8 dBFs)

Analog clipping LED indicator

Comprehensive set of presets

A/B comparison setting

Integrated tutorials and unique dynamic preset tips

Resizable window

State-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling

Platforms specifications

Windows

  • Win 10+ (64bit)
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
  • 1GB free hard disk space
  • OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
  • ARM processors not supported on Windows

Required configuration

  • VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).

Apple

  • Mac OS 11+
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
  • 1GB free hard disk space
  • OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU

Work with ASC

  • An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software.

* All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.

*NKS ready