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Classic Analog Compressor Ranking

Legendary
Empirical Labs EL8X Distressor.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
SSL 4000 E Bus Comp.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
SSL 4000 E Series Dynamics Module.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Chandler Limited RS124.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Chandler Limited Zener Limiter.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Empirical Labs Fatso EL7X.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
FairChild 670.webp - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Gates STA-Level.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Great
Universal Audio 176.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Universal Audio 1176 Rev A.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Universal Audio LA-3A.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Urei 1178.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
API 2500+.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Chandler Limited TG1 Limiter.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Neve 33609.webp - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Okay
Spectra 1964 C610.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Universal Audio 1176 Rev D.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
dbx 160.webp - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Neve 2254.webp - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Manley Vari-Mu.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Sub-par
Manley ELOP.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Overrated
TubeTech CL-1B.jpg - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Shadow Hills Industries Mastering Compressor.webp - Classic Analog Compressor Ranking tier list item
Aleksa Mrkela
Aleksa Mrkela
Created Jul 23, 2026
Ranking the most venerable analog compressors in recording history from Legendary to Overrated!
1 Remix
Legendary
Great
Okay
Sub-par
Taber Crosby
Taber Crosby
2mo ago25 items

By Aleksa Mrkela

Legendary Tier

Great Tier

Okay Tier

Sub-par Tier

Overrated Tier