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
A. Ryan
February 3, 2024
Shadow Hills Compressor
It's a classic and velvety compressor with a function and sound of it own! High end.
Read MoreS. Cordingley
January 31, 2024
A Historical Gem
The manual alone makes me glad I bought it! The mix I tried it on came out clear and smooth. I look forward to trying out the different modes and applications of this “historical...
Read MoreT. Don
January 26, 2024
Shadowhills
It's a nice vst! I like the uad Emulation more! Thx UAD!
Read MoreL. Pascale
January 21, 2024
Must Have
This compressor does everything well and is a must in the Mastering Chain...
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
A. Ryan
Shadow Hills Compressor
It's a classic and velvety compressor with a function and sound of it own! High end.
S. Studio
The Best
Best Mastering Compressor
S. Cordingley
A Historical Gem
The manual alone makes me glad I bought it! The mix I tried it on came out clear and smooth.
I look forward to trying out the different modes and applications of this “historical gem.”.T. Don
Shadowhills
It's a nice vst! I like the uad Emulation more!
Thx UAD!L. Pascale
Must Have
This compressor does everything well and is a must in the Mastering Chain...
A. Santana
santana
full comp i love
L. Jáger
Fantastic plugin
Great plugin.
I was able to make a very good sound with it.D. Giovanni
Can’t even rate!!!
Where do I start with this nightmare purchase? I purchased Shadow Hill Mastering Compressor along with the Avalon VT-737. Went through the whole download process on the UA Console. Was only able to download the Avalon plugin and never received the Shadow Hill Compressor although I was charged for both. I reached out to support and still have not receive neither an phone call nor a follow up email going on two weeks now.. Never buying anything from UA what a con job!!!!
d. drula
beat maker et mix
le compresseur gauche est un opto et le coté droit plus polyvalent ,ce qui le rend tres particulier. sur le master faut y aller tres cool car il est tres musical et meme sur les voix ca sonne tres bien
G. Schwab
An excellence soundibg Compressor!
An excellent sounding compressor! This compressor is extremely versatile: it can sound extremely clean, clear or also strongly coloring, saturated. The possibilities that this compressor opens up are remarkable and extraordinary! One of the best-sounding compressors currently available. Highly recommended!
M. Whitebread
Peppy and versatile
Go to for mastering - very forgiving.
C. Hallowes
Subtle and beautiful
This compressor is a whole other alternative to Neve, SSL, API and Chandler. I own all those but this still on a number of songs is just right. It has a different, more subtle, yet beautiful feel to it.
E. bartlett
YES!!!!!
JUST GET IT.... THIS PLUGIN IT A GAME CHANGER!
D. Ho
This is it!
I've tried many different mastering compressors, and while they all sound great and have their unique qualities, I always come back to the Shadow Hills. The naturalness and transparency are second to none.
S. Akinleye
So Amazing
I've been stuck with this compressor since the first time tying it out
S. Greenaway
Amazing Plug in
Fantastic plug in! Perfect sauce for the mix bus or master bus.
V. Kozarin
Sounds absolutely fantastic
I use it on vocals with some of the presets. Makes a huge improvement to blend any type of lead vocals in a final mix. Love it
S. Lopez
The Sauce
Can You Feel Me - Dru Down
J. De la Rosa
Excelente
☺️
O. Cruz-Olivencia
Pushing the limits!!
This plugin is amazing and solid!! Top 5 for me!!
