Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
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The world’s most remarkable and revered audio compressor — available as a UAD plug-in.
The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in for UAD hardware and UA Audio Interfaces provides everything from a velvet touch to an iron fist — making it a go-to on records by Muse, Green Day, Gnarls Barkley, and more. Designed by Brainworx, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in is a thorough emulation of the high-end hardware.
Few pieces of audio hardware are as revered as the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor. Created by enigmatic mastermind, Peter Reardon, this five-rackspace behemoth tempers dynamics and tames transients like no other compressor in history. With its serial, two-stage dynamics control and switchable output transformer matrix.Mix and master with an emulation of the legendary Shadow Hills Compressor, endorsed by Peter Reardon
Harness Nickel, Iron, and Steel transformer types for a wide range of distortion characteristics and transient limiting
Use separate Optical and Discrete (VCA) dynamics sections for two-stage serial dynamics control
Employ 90 Hz sidechain filtering for musical compression of low-frequency program material
Three Majestic Compressors in One
The genius of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in is its ability to control dynamics in two stages — an Optical and Discrete (VCA). Both sections can be bypassed, effectively providing three compression sounds (Optical, Discrete, and combined) in a single unit.
The Optical section is highly program dependent, with basic Threshold and Gain settings, and a two-stage release time akin to the classic LA-2A — perfect for gently taming dynamic range. The Discrete section takes over where the Optical section leaves off, provides precise control over gain, threshold, ratio, attack, and release.
Switchable Output Transformers — Nickel, Iron, and Steel
The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in’s tonal palette is enhanced by a unique matrix which allows selection between three output transformers — Nickel, Iron, and Steel. By switching the selected transformer type in and out of the signal path, you can hear the different frequency response, distortion characteristics, and transient limiting of each transformer — going from “clean” (Nickel), to “colored” (Iron), to “dirty” (Steel).
“The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in is the ultimate last-stop in a mixing chain. It’s punchy, hi-fi, and has lots of options. ”
– Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Beck, The Strokes, Morrissey)
“The UAD Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in sounds incredibly accurate and gives me the tone I need — especially on the drum bus!”
– Dean Coleman
“The UAD Shadow Hills plug-in is replacing my 670 on the stereo buss. The two sides allow me to accomplish what I was using multiple compressors to achieve.”
– Mark Needham (The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk)
“The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in has character and punch that no other plug-in can duplicate! ”
– Adam Hawkins (Twenty One Pilots, Switchfoot, Keith Urban)Customer Reviews
m. wan
January 12, 2017
Can choose whether it needs
Choose it according to the style of music Sound is very wide and thick
Read MoreK. Khokhlov
January 6, 2017
For most mix buses
I love it on most master buses. But it would be the best with dry/wet option. (the hardware doesnt have it too) So my next step is to buy API2500 that got this option. Thank u, UAD
Read MoreJ. LEE
January 6, 2017
특유의 질감은 못느끼겠고
섬세하게 노브를 이리저리 돌려보면서 느껴지는 변화가 어느정도 만족스러웠다. 어깨에 힘주는 느낌으로 음악에 힘을 불어넣어준다.
Read MoreT. Weyer
January 1, 2017
A Must for Mastering
An absolute essential for Mastering. Whether you use it for seriously beefing up your mix or just to add subtle polish, this is your answer.
Read MoreT. Weyer
January 1, 2017
A Must for Mastering
An absolute essential for Mastering. Whether you use it for seriously beefing up your mix or just to add subtle polish, this is your answer.
Read MoreJ. Cameron
December 30, 2016
Great flexible ultra low CPU usage compressor!
I'm super happy with how this compressor sounds and works. I am finding my self using it a lot on individual tracks as a tone shaping device, using the different transformers. I prefer the...
Read More -
Key Features
Meticulous emulation of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, licensed and endorsed by Peter Reardon
Created by Brainworx, developed exclusively for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform
Separate Optical and Discrete (VCA) dynamics sections for two-stage serial dynamics control
Separate Threshold and makeup Gain for each dynamics section
Fixed Ratio, Attack and Recover settings within the Discrete section
Transformer matrix switches between Nickel, Iron, and Steel output transformers — like selecting between 3 distinct vintage console outputs
90 Hz sidechain filtering for musical compression of low-frequency program material
Large, accurate VU meters provide Optical, Discrete, or Output gain views
Custom presets created by Shadow Hills founder and designer Peter Reardon
Requires UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Interface, available from authorized dealers worldwide
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Customer Reviews
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
m. wan
Can choose whether it needs
Choose it according to the style of music
Sound is very wide and thickK. Khokhlov
For most mix buses
I love it on most master buses. But it would be the best with dry/wet option. (the hardware doesnt have it too) So my next step is to buy API2500 that got this option.
Thank u, UADJ. LEE
특유의 질감은 못느끼겠고
섬세하게 노브를 이리저리 돌려보면서 느껴지는 변화가 어느정도 만족스러웠다. 어깨에 힘주는 느낌으로 음악에 힘을 불어넣어준다.
T. Weyer
A Must for Mastering
An absolute essential for Mastering. Whether you use it for seriously beefing up your mix or just to add subtle polish, this is your answer.
T. Weyer
A Must for Mastering
An absolute essential for Mastering. Whether you use it for seriously beefing up your mix or just to add subtle polish, this is your answer.
J. Cameron
Great flexible ultra low CPU usage compressor!
I'm super happy with how this compressor sounds and works. I am finding my self using it a lot on individual tracks as a tone shaping device, using the different transformers. I prefer the discrete side's sound but do find the optical side useful on some applications. I have never used the real deal, but have been the same room as one being used so I can't talk about how accurate it is compared to the original. All said and done it was a great purchase, we all say do I really need another compressor and I can say yes to this one!
E. Oooka
If you want sound pressure！
It is the mastering plug-in that boasts the highest quality ever. A plug-in that gives a soul to the sound as seen by the heavy pressure appearance.
A. Meyer
Classy!
I compared this to my 500 series Shadow Hills Dual Vandergraph and it held in there. I did prefer the raw tone, character and life-like quality of the hardware, but the plugin is awesome and does exhibit the classy Shadow Hills character. This is a great plugin if you need to add weight to a source. It might not be my first choice when looking for a punchy/aggressive compressor. Wonderful plugin.
.
Good effect.
At least this effect is useable. I was very disappointed with the fatso and ocean ways! Could have spent the cash on a hardware piece that is useable.
E. Kurttekin
Always On The Mastering Chain
I love to call it Dr. Frankenstein of mastering plugins. With the right amount of each compression , the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor brings any mix to life. So many possibilities!
m. adragna
bad tool for mastering and mixing
I originally took the shadow hills compressor just to add it to my mastering suite, but then i realize how much inproved also my mixbus, or to add a particular color to individual instruments and vocals; Although the plugin is well written, I think I feel some small difference from the hardware
A. Sergeev
It sounds very good!! It gives mix volume, commercial sound! The best compressor plugin!
It sounds very good!! It gives mix volume, commercial sound! The best compressor plugin!
m. gianluca
Magic Shadow
High Quality Plug in, i think the absolute best Plug in for Mastering in the World, love the Grapich and love your colour in my tracks!!! Thx Uad for this special Gift in my life
J. Fashe
WOW!!!
This Compressor blows my mind!!! It's amazing!!! And It's so perfect for Mastering!!! You need to try and change your sound in a extremely positive way!!!
B. Autry
Awesome!!
2 words.. Legen-dary
.
Good plug in, nothing special
It's a good plugin but after reading many rewievs and heard talk about it I was expecting much more...
However an interesting plug in in some situations.P. Ochoa
Infaltable en tu DAW...una verdadera joya!
Si tu problema es el dinero y siempre has deseado tener uno de estos físicamente en tu estudio esta es la SOLUCIÓN! Suena tal cual al original... Chicos de UAD desearía tenerlos siempre conmigo! No sé... este plugin es algo... MÁGICO!!!
D. Whittington
Shadow-dow-dow-dow-dow
After watching a D Ramirez video on this, I had to give it a whirl on my master buss. The presets that it comes with are great. The Hard Preset is my favorite but I am also getting used to the Optical and Discrete sections on this beast. This compressor breaths magic. It's warm, clean and big sounding all at once. Puts my music right where I want it to be. I still have to get into the different options of style on this. A lot of options here. I really like the La-2 for mastering and this plugin just jumped right in and made me happier than it. Will be going back n forth with these two.
J. Villalba
Amazing emulation
How this work , How this sound is pretty Sick!! Georgeous dynamic tool!
H. Zwarts
grrrrruwelijk
love the sound of this compressor. Its a beast
