Kilohearts Compactor
Key Features
- Sample-level sidechain ducking lets one signal create extremely tight gain reduction on another.
- Works without a sidechain as a limiter for controlling peaks against the threshold.
- Peak, ISP, and RMS detection modes cover fast transient control, inter-sample peak detection, and smoother leveling.
- Attack, Hold, and Release controls shape how early ducking starts, how long it stays active, and how naturally it recovers.
- Range control changes how much quieter sidechain material contributes to the ducking response.
- Stereo control moves from linked left/right processing to independent channel ducking for wider or more separated results.
- Runs as VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and as a Kilohearts Snapin inside Phase Plant, Multipass, and Snap Heap.
Description
Kilohearts Compactor is a precision ducking and limiting effect built for sample-accurate sidechain gain control. It can make a bass react to a kick, clamp peaks without a sidechain input, or push sounds into tight rhythmic distortion when the settings are driven harder.
The main difference from a normal compressor is timing. Compactor follows the sidechain signal at the sample level, with Peak, ISP, and RMS detection modes for choosing between fast transient control, inter-sample accuracy, or smoother leveling.
Its control set stays compact while still covering the important mix decisions. Attack looks ahead to begin ducking before the peak, Hold keeps the reduction active after the trigger, Release sets the recovery shape, Range changes how strongly quieter sidechain levels affect the result, and Stereo controls whether left and right channels move together or independently.
That makes it especially useful for electronic kick and bass separation, dense low-end mixing, fast vocal or effects ducking, and clean loudness work where obvious compressor pumping would get in the way. It also runs as a regular DAW plugin or as a Snapin inside Phase Plant, Multipass, and Snap Heap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is Compactor different from normal sidechain compression?
Kilohearts says Compactor follows the sidechain at the sample level instead of averaging over a slower compressor-style envelope. That makes it better for very tight kick and bass ducking where the goal is separation and loudness rather than a long pumping movement.
Can Compactor work as a limiter without a sidechain input?
Yes. The official product page says that when there is no sidechain, the input is limited to the threshold level. Kilohearts also describes this mode as useful for brickwalling individual tracks, buses, or even a master when used carefully.
What do the Peak, ISP, and RMS modes change?
Peak mode follows per-sample peaks for fast transient control. ISP mode detects inter-sample peaks for greater accuracy, while RMS mode uses average signal power for a smoother response.
Does Compactor need Phase Plant, Multipass, or Snap Heap?
No. Rekkerd and KVR list standard plugin formats for regular DAW use, and Kilohearts says its Snapins can also run inside Kilohearts hosts. The Snapin workflow is an extra ecosystem option rather than a requirement.
