Kiive Audio V-Comp plugin is a digital emulation of AudioScape Engineering’s renowned Vari-Mu Compressor, developed through a collaboration between Kiive Audio and AudioScape Engineering. Released on June 26, 2024, this plugin aims to capture the essence of the original hardware unit while offering additional features exclusive to the digital realm. The V-Comp Dual plugin includes both the V-COMP+ “DELUXE 6386 EDITION” and the V-COMP “6386 EDITION,” providing users with two distinct flavors of compression in a single package. The plugin faithfully recreates the weight, density, and musical compression characteristics of the hardware, which are attributed to its seven onboard tubes and iron transformer. Kiive Audio and AudioScape Engineering have adhered to a philosophy of “more-real-than-recreated,” ensuring that the plugin delivers an authentic experience that closely mirrors the original hardware. The V-Comp is designed to offer a highly musical compression and coloration, making it a versatile tool for various audio production tasks.
Pros:
• Authentic emulation of the AudioScape Engineering Vari-Mu Compressor
• Dual-mode functionality with both V-COMP+ and V-COMP editions
• Highly musical compression and coloration
• Additional features not available in the hardware unit
• Intuitive user interface with familiar controls
Cons:
• Relatively high CPU usage compared to some other compressor plugins
The V-Comp plugin boasts an impressive array of features that cater to both purists and those seeking extended functionality. At its core, the plugin offers the characteristic sound of the original Vari-Mu Compressor, known for its smooth and musical compression. The user interface is designed to be intuitive, with familiar controls that allow for quick and easy adjustments.
The plugin’s input and output compensation controls enable users to level-match or compensate for the processing effects, ensuring consistent volume levels before and after compression. This feature is particularly useful when comparing different compression settings or when integrating the plugin into a complex signal chain.
A standout feature of the V-Comp is its mix knob, which allows for parallel compression techniques to be applied directly within the plugin. This enables users to blend the compressed signal with the dry signal, offering greater flexibility in shaping the overall sound.
The V-Comp also includes oversampling options ranging from 2x to 16x, allowing users to reduce potential aliasing artifacts and achieve higher quality processing at the expense of increased CPU usage. This feature is particularly valuable when working with complex audio material or when seeking the highest possible sound quality.
A unique addition to the V-Comp is the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) adjustment. This control allows users to introduce varying degrees of harmonic distortion, adding warmth, character, and subtle coloration to the processed audio. This feature greatly expands the creative possibilities of the plugin, enabling users to achieve a wide range of tonal variations.
The side-chain filter is another powerful feature, allowing users to selectively trigger compression based on specific frequency ranges. This is particularly useful for preventing unwanted compression of low-frequency content or for creating more sophisticated dynamic processing effects.
The plugin offers multiple compression modes, including off, single, double, and triple, each providing different levels of transparency and coloration. This versatility allows users to tailor the compression characteristics to suit various sources and production styles.
The drive/stock switch is an innovative addition that enables users to introduce additional harmonic content or opt for a more transparent compression flavor. This feature, combined with the input gain control, provides extensive control over the amount and character of compression applied to the audio signal.
When compared to similar plugins in the market, the Kiive Audio V-Comp stands out for its authentic emulation of the AudioScape Engineering hardware and its extended feature set. While many Vari-Mu style compressor plugins focus solely on recreating the vintage hardware sound, the V-Comp goes a step further by incorporating modern features that expand its versatility. In terms of sound quality, the V-Comp holds its own against established players in the field, such as the Universal Audio LA-2A and the Waves CLA-2A. However, the V-Comp’s dual-mode functionality and additional controls like the THD adjustment and side-chain filter give it a unique edge in terms of flexibility.
Compared to other Vari-Mu style plugins, the V-Comp’s oversampling options and mix control provide greater precision and control over the final sound. While some users may find the CPU usage slightly higher than some competitors, the trade-off in sound quality and features generally justifies this aspect.
This plugin is best for:
• Audio engineers and producers seeking an authentic Vari-Mu compressor sound
• Users who value flexibility and extended control in their compression tools
• Those working on projects that benefit from musical, tube-style compression
• Producers looking to add warmth and character to digital recordings
Kiive Audio V-Comp plugin represents a significant achievement in the world of digital audio processing. By successfully capturing the essence of the AudioScape Engineering Vari-Mu Compressor and expanding upon its capabilities, Kiive Audio has created a tool that bridges the gap between vintage hardware and modern digital workflows. The plugin’s ability to deliver highly musical compression with a range of tonal options makes it a versatile choice for a wide variety of audio sources and genres. Its intuitive interface, combined with advanced features like oversampling and THD adjustment, provides both ease of use and depth for more experienced users. While the slightly higher CPU usage may be a consideration for some, the overall sound quality and flexibility offered by the V-Comp make it a compelling option in the crowded field of compression plugins. Whether used for subtle glue on a mix bus or for more aggressive tonal shaping on individual tracks, the V-Comp proves to be a powerful and musical tool that can elevate the quality of digital productions. Its dual-mode functionality, offering both the V-COMP+ and V-COMP editions, further enhances its value proposition, essentially providing two distinct flavors of compression in a single package. For those seeking to add the warmth, character, and musicality of classic tube compression to their digital toolkit, the Kiive Audio V-Comp plugin presents an attractive and capable option.