Analog Obsession has released EDComp, a free and beginner-friendly compressor plugin for Windows and macOS.

EDComp is a streamlined compressor featuring a fixed-threshold design with a variable ratio that ranges from 1:1 to 10:1. I think this is a great option for new producers as well as experienced producers who want to speed up their workflow in projects that don’t require a high-precision compressor.

Instead of adjusting the threshold, you control the amount of compression directly with a single knob. This simplifies things dramatically for producers who are new to compression. There’s also a fixed attack and release time (15 ms and 80 ms), so you can focus purely on results rather than settings.

The layout is minimal, with just a few core controls: Amount, Output, Mix, and a Mode switch.

The Amount knob adjusts both the input gain and compression ratio, resulting in a musical and gentle compression response. You can apply gentle leveling for vocals or crank up the compression for drums and bass.

The Mix knob handles parallel compression, and this makes EDComp perfect for preserving transients on drums or adding body to vocals. I tried it on acoustic drums, and it took me less than 10 seconds (by simply applying 100% compression amount and around 20% mix) to get a much fuller drum sound.

There are two processing modes: ED (which applies a tonal tilt EQ to emphasize lows and highs) and CL (a clean, uncolored compression mode). You can toggle between the modes or bypass processing altogether.

Analog Obsession suggests trying ED mode on vocals, and I found it worked well for bringing out the highs while maintaining warmth in the low end.

Personally, I love simple compressors like EDComp. As someone who spent years trying to wrap my head around compression, I still prefer simple one-knob-style plugins when I need quick results. EDComp reminds me of Klanghelm’s DC1A in that sense—intuitive, effective, and perfect for focusing on the creative side of mixing instead of getting bogged down by compressor settings.

It also has a resizable GUI, and the overall design is fine. However, I would like to see a compression amount indicator or some other type of metering on the interface.

EDComp is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats. It runs on Windows 10 and 11, and macOS 10.11 or higher (Intel and Apple Silicon supported). Note that you’ll need a GPU compatible with OpenGL on Windows or Metal on macOS.

Definitely check this one out if you want a musical compressor that sounds good and keeps things simple. You can download it for free from Analog Obsession’s Patreon page (no subscription required, and donations are optional).

And if you want to step up your compression game, read our guide to using a compressor in a mix.

Download: EDComp

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Last Updated on May 26, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.