SQUASH Compressor
Added 2024-11-29 18:13:55 +0000 UTCI wasn’t planning to make a video today, but MinimalAudio just released Squash, a free OTT-style compressor that’s perfect for dubstep, drum & bass, and other styles needing extreme compression. It’s super simple with just two main controls: Tone and Depth, plus a Mix knob (which behaves more like an amount control). Unlike traditional OTT, Squash uses four bands instead of three, offering heavy compression for bold, over-the-top sounds. I tested it on drums in Bitwig and analyzed its behavior to show what it’s doing under the hood.
Key Points:
Plugin Basics:
Free OTT-style compressor with a simple interface.
Two main controls:
Tone: Adjusts band EQ or gain emphasis.
Depth: Controls the intensity of compression.
Mix Knob: Acts more like an "amount" knob without phase issues common in other plugins.
Four-Band Compression:
Uses four bands (vs. the three in classic OTT or XFER's OTT).
Heavy compression is its strength—ideal for aggressive styles but not for subtle adjustments.
Under the Hood:
Demonstrated phase shifts at the band-split points using an EQ analyzer.
Tone changes the EQ curve slightly across bands.
No output gain compensation, but easy to manage with Bitwig's tool device.
Additional Features:
Adjustable UI size, OpenGL support, and up to 4x oversampling.
Can be modulated creatively with tools like random modulators for evolving effects.
Squash is a fantastic free tool, especially for modern, bass-heavy genres. Try it out for yourself—the link is in the description! Let me know what you think, and I’ll see you next time.
Download & Links
