Presswerk is more than an emulation of a single hardware compressor. Like Satin, Presswerk is a toolkit, drawing ideas and inspiration from a number of sources. It starts with warmth of classic analogue units and adds features only possible in the digital realm. The result is a powerful compressor with a rich feature set and a very musical soul.
Presswerk was designed to fit into any workflow, no matter what task you throw at it. Presswerk gives you the tools for better sound.
Presswerk is a powerful dynamics processor with a musical soul. An easy-to-use interface and a rich feature set give you hands-on control over all details of your sound. Presswerk doesn’t emulate famous compressors, it blends the warmth of classic hardware models with developments that are only possible in the digital domain.
Presswerk has all the features you expect in a compressor…
Sidechaining: Use ducking to create more space in your mixes, or get creative with keying and pumping effects.
Adjustable compression curve and envelope: Find the best settings, get the most out of your audio using the soft knee, compression ratio, attack and release and other controls.
Loud: Oh yes, Presswerk is more than capable of making your tracks louder.
Soft clip: Roll off those harsh peaks and avoid distortion when output levels get too high.
…plus what we added to enhance Presswerk’s capabilities:
6 special views for better workflow: Drum Compressor, Vocal Compressor, M/S Program Compressor, Easy Compressor, Bus Compressor, Limiter (see the screenshots above).
M/S mode: More detailed stereo signal processing
Dual Phase Rotator (DPR): applies a radio broadcaster’s trick to reduce unwanted asymmetries in the signal. It smears phases, increases headroom a little and adds bass ‘oomph’.
Saturation: This is where Presswerk really shines—adding colour and character to your audio. Apply Saturation sparingly for subtle warmth and transient-taming, or crank it up to create tape overdrive-like effects.
Internal parallel compression: The Mix controls let you blend the compressed and uncompressed signals. This helps preserve some of the original, natural dynamics.
Variable detection topologies:
Adjust and store global preferences
New MIDI learn controls
Presswerk is not a standalone product, it requires host software. Presswerk is compatible with nearly all DAWs.
Features
Dual channel (stereo) or 2 independent channels
Compression ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, adjustable linearity and knee, auto-makeup option
6 special views for better workflow: Easy, Vocal, Drum, Bus, M/S and Limiter
Internal parallel (New York) compression
M/S mode
Dual Phase Rotator (DPR) emulates classic broadcast transient option
Variable detection topologies: Feed-forward, Feed-back or Interactive
Variable detection topologies: Feed-forward, Feed-back or Interactive
Drum Compressor, Vocal Compressor, M/S Program Compressor, Easy Compressor, Bus Compressor and Limiter
Complete set of response controls: attack, release with adjustable auto-adapt, RMS window time
Saturation before or after the compressor, with variable warmth and dynamics
Dry / Wet mix controls with highpass filter, downward expander option
Global preferences page
MIDI learn page and editable list
Resizable UI from 70% to 200%
Skinnable UI
Over 120 factory presets for common compression tasks
Tech Specs
MAC
 
OS X Mac OS X 10.10 or newer
Memory: 1 GB
CPU: Intel Nehalem or newer, Apple M1
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AU
WINDOWS
 
Windows Windows 7 or newer
Memory: 1 GB
CPU: Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer
Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AAX