Overview

An exclusive upgrade to one of the most prestigious hardware compressors of today
Available exclusively via Plugin Alliance, enhanced with patented TMT modeling, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A Limited Edition is one of the rarest and most powerful high end compressors ever built. In 2012, Vintage King released the hardware version of the Class A, limiting production to only 50 units! Through patented TMT modeling, Brainworx has created an exacting emulation of this legendary hardware that improves on the original with expanded features and much punchier VCA.

Class A compression meets even sweeter transformers
With the limited-edition Mastering Compressor, Shadow Hills Industries included an updated Class A discrete compressor section utilizing Lundahl input transformers, as well as hand-wiring each compressor with Mogami Cable, an important factor when Brainworx Audio modeled one of these limited units as it gave the limited edition version a different character to the original. For this limited edition, Brainworx included its well-known retractable Extra Unit, featuring TMT, Mid-Side processing, Mono-Maker, Stereo Width, Parallel Mix and an additional Sidechain Filter.

Offers smoother compression and a faster, punchier tone at the same time
During rigorous shoot-out tests against the original Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor, our pro audio engineers observed time and time again that the Class A version features a smoother compression sound, a punchier VCA, more pronounced sonic dimension, and a larger sense of “size” and perceived depth.

An alternate, even fuller flavor from Shadow Hills
With the gain set to identical values on both versions of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, the Class A hardware version clocks in roughly 1-3 dB hotter, delivering a thicker and richer tone to whatever is running through it. To put it simply, this limited RED Class A version is punchier, faster and more versatile than the original GREEN version. Try GREEN for the Drum Buss and RED for the Master and you won’t be disappointed!

Features

  • Exacting emulation of the original Class A limited edition of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, endorsed by Shadow Hills Industries.

  • Class-A discrete compressor section

  • Stereo, dual-mono and M/S modes


  • Separate Optical and Discrete compression sections for two-stage compression techniques.

  • Switchable Output Transformers: Nickel, which adds a nice top-end sparkle; Iron, which adds a little character in the mids; and Steel, which adds additional harmonic distortion.

  • Brainworx Plugin Only Features added to the additional panel including TMT, Headroom, M/S Processing, Mono-Maker, Stereo Width, Parallel Mix, Sidechain Filter, External Sidechain, Scalable User Interface.

  • TMT — Brainworx patent-registered “Tolerance Modeling Technology” (US Patent No. 10,725,727)

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • Rich Tozzoli

    Rich Tozzoli

    Grammy-nominated Producer, Mixer, & Composer (David Bowie, Carly Simon, Boston Pops)

    This thing is pretty ferocious! I have it on Discreet with Steel, adding a touch of Stereo Width, some Mono Maker and its ripping....I like that you can squeeze the Master Channel up to 3db and it… Read More

  • Michael Brauer

    Michael Brauer

    7 Grammy Awards (Coldplay, John Mayer, The Rolling Stones)

    I love my customized Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, not only did Brainworx match it, but I have to admit, I wish it had all those extra cool features like the mono-maker, stereo width and the… Read More

  • Tue Madsen

    Tue Madsen

    Music Producer & Sound Engineer (Meshuggah, Dark Tranquillity, Suicide Silence)

    This is such a powerful tool for compression. Instantly worked its way into the mixes I am working on at the moment and made me go back to a few to put it in there too. Very nice and round feel,… Read More

  • Lucas (Luke) Pimentel

    Lucas (Luke) Pimentel

    Grammy & Dove nominated, Gold, Platinum & Diamond awarded Mastering Engineer (Jeremy Riddle, Miel San Marcos, Marcos Witt)

    Wow, just wow!! The New Version of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor has taken this tool to a whole different level. With TMT and M/S features alone, this emulation is now replacing other… Read More

  • Robert Venable

    Robert Venable

    Producer and Sound Engineer (Megadeth, Twenty One Pilots, Kelly Clarkson)

    This plugin gives you a spot-on emulation of the top-dollar mastering compressor we all know and love, but can do things that the original can't! The headroom adjustment abilities, as well as M/S… Read More

Customer Reviews

  • amazing

    ★★★★★
    by foxy grandpa
    so i have to admit i am a bit of compressor collector. i love trying out different ones and seeing how they mold my sound. there are a few that have been my "go-to" throughout the years but this one… Read More
  • The last 10%

    ★★★★★
    by Alan Brucke
    This compressor took my test song to the next level. It’s a great way to get clean loudness. You can squeeze a couple more LUFS out of a master with ease. And it makes everything sound more alive.… Read More
  • Top Compressor

    ★★★★★
    by MiamiDude
    Great for mastering with tone, punch, and that 3D sound! Very versatile!
  • COMP and Overall rating

    ★★★★★
    by Shunaiman
    The compressor makes precise approximations work like magic.
    I express special respect to the Native Instruments and Alliance team for their subtle sense of everything.
    Special respect… Read More
  • I love it on almost every mix

    ★★★★★
    by Momo
    I had been recommended this plugin for a while and then decided to buy it.
    It really makes your mix sound more "professional" and "Glued together". At least most of the times. Depends on your… Read More

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, AAX AudioSuite, VST2, VST3

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel, or Apple Silicon

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM

Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

Mastering Compressor Class A

Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A - Changelog

Version 1.4.1 (Oct 9, 2023)
- General: fixed CPU spikes on Mac OS

Version 1.4.0 (Aug 15, 2023)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for AAX
- General: added macOS Ventura support
- General: improved plugin loading time in the DAW
- General: fixed issue causing Logic to crash when closing the plugin UI
- General: improved font drawing behavior

Version 1.3.1 (Mar 23, 2022)
- Fixed a potential licensing issue

Version 1.3 (Mar 15, 2022)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for VST3, VST2 and AU
- General: added macOS Monterey support
- General: added Windows 11 and Windows 10 21H1 support
- General: discontinued Windows 7 support
- General: discontinued macOS 10.9 and 10.11 support
- General: fixed metering behavior in block sizes of 2048 samples and higher

Version 1.2 (Mar 22, 2021)
- General: Compatibility with Logic on Apple Silicon devices via the Rosetta-2 layer
- General: Fixed possible artefacts when freezing or bouncing tracks in Pro Tools
- General: Fixed automation highlighting disappearing in Studio One
- General: Improved license dialog visibility in dark mode

Version 1.1 (May 27, 2020)
- General: Qualified for use with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
- General: VST3: Fixed potential hangs in a DAW upon loading
- General: Fixed logical issues in undo / redo behavior
- General: Fixed UI resizing issues in Ableton Live on Windows
- General: Fixed audio processing initialization issues on amp and delay products

Version 1.0 (Jan 13, 2020)
- Initial Release