Klanghelm’s DC1A is a free compressor you use with just two knobs, input and output. It is based on settings from the DC8C, and it has switches for parallel (mixing in the original sound) compression, a peak/RMS change and separate left and right compression.
A compressor holds down sounds that are too loud and evens out differences in volume. For vocals it keeps the level stable and easy to hear, and it can also add punch to a sound.
In this article we compare DC1A with 16 compressor plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.
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Score 2.5 / 5 (average of the 16 products compared: 3.2)
- Price
- Free
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Compression character
- 1 type + switches
- Speed
- Two knobs
- Mix applications
- Parallel
- Price (store, date)
- Not listed
Image: from the Klanghelm official website (product image)
Summary
Among the 16 compressor plug-ins, DC1A is rank C. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and C is the lowest. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 2.5.
Things to keep in mind
- Compression character (2 points): the character of the compression is mostly fixed, so the range of choices is narrow.
Who it suits: people who want to try a free compressor first, without difficult settings.
Main features of DC1A
A free compressor with just input and output knobs
DC1A is a free compressor made by taking the author’s favorite settings from Klanghelm’s DC8C and making them usable with two knobs. The official page says it can do everything from smoothing the volume so gently you barely notice, to strong pumping with distortion. You do not have to set detailed numbers, so it is easy to try as your first compressor.
Small switches change the character
It has switches for a “negative ratio” that overdoes the compression so the volume actually goes down, parallel compression that mixes in the original sound, DUAL MONO, which compresses left and right separately, RELAXED, which changes the reaction between peak and RMS, and DEEP, a high-pass filter that reduces pumping on low frequencies.
Where it is useful
- Trying a compressor on a vocal or drums for the first time without spending money
- Reducing pumping on bass-heavy material with the DEEP switch
Rating by criterion
Compression character: 2 / 5
We check whether you can choose the character of the compression, from transparent and natural to colored and vintage-style.
It has one kind of compression, but there are switches such as peak/RMS and a negative ratio (compression that overdoes it).
If “compression character” matters most to you, Pro-C 3 and DC8C (5 points) are a better fit.
Speed: 3 / 5
We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly, such as automatic settings and easy presets.
You can use it with just two knobs, input and output.
Mix applications: 3 / 5
We check whether it supports mix applications such as reacting to another sound (sidechain) and mixing with the original sound (parallel).
It can do parallel (mixing in the original sound) compression. No external sidechain (a function that moves the effect in time with another track) is listed.
How we score (Compressor plug-ins)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression character | Whether you can choose the character of the compression to suit the material and your taste | Many compression styles and coloration to choose from, plus fine controls such as look-ahead | Several styles plus either coloration or spectral processing | Either several styles or a recreation of vintage hardware | One type, but with coloration or compression-curve adjustment | One type |
| Speed | How quickly you can reach a good setting | AI analyzes the sound and suggests settings | Several automatic aids, such as auto gain and auto release | Few knobs; almost everything is set with one | Standard controls | — |
| Mix applications | Uses such as sidechain, parallel and M/S | External sidechain, sidechain EQ, and M/S or parallel are all included | External sidechain plus either parallel or M/S | One of external sidechain, M/S or parallel | — | Not mentioned on the official page |
Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: evening out the volume of a vocal and blending it into the backing track. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Compression character" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.
DC1A system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows / Mac |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | VST, VST3, AAX (Windows); AU, VST, VST3, AAX (Mac) |
| Free version | Free |
| OBS (streaming) | Works as it is (VST2 is listed) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
Compared with other compressor plug-ins
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Compression character | Speed | Mix applications | Free | OBS (streaming) | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FabFilterPro-C 3 | S 4.8 | 14 styles + coloration | Automatic aids | Sidechain, SC EQ, M/S | — | ○ | $199 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| soniblesmart:comp 3 | S 4.5 | 3 styles + Custom + spectral | AI suggestions | Sidechain, SC EQ, M/S | — | ○ | $129 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsVintage Compressors | A 3.5 | 3 vintage models | Standard | Sidechain + parallel | — | ○ | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Native InstrumentsSupercharger | C 2.5 | 1 coloration | Almost one knob | External sidechain | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| MeldaProductionMCompressor | C 2.3 | Draw your own curve | Standard | M/S | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| KlanghelmDC8C | S 4.8 | Many styles + coloration | Automatic aids | Sidechain, SC EQ, parallel | — | ○ | ≈$25.78 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| KlanghelmMJUC | B 3.3 | 3 models + coloration | Standard | Parallel | — | ○ | ≈$26.90 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| KlanghelmDC1A | C 2.5 | 1 type + switches | Two knobs | Parallel | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| Universal Audio1176 Classic Limiter Collection | B 3.3 | 3 vintage models + coloration | Standard | Parallel | — | × (VST3 only) | $29 (sale; regular $199) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Universal AudioLA-2A Leveler Collection | B 2.8 | 3 vintage models | Standard | Not listed | — | × (VST3 only) | $39 (sale; regular $149) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| WavesCLA-76 | B 3.3 | 2 models + coloration | Standard | Parallel | — | △ (via Waves StudioRack) | $34.99 (sale; regular $149) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| Tokyo Dawn RecordsTDR Kotelnikov | C 2.3 | 1 type + separate peak/RMS release | Standard | Parallel | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| CytomicThe Glue | B 3.0 | SSL bus compressor recreation | Standard | External SC + parallel | — | ○ | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| SoftubeCL 1B mk II | B 3.3 | Mk I/Mk II switch + optical | Standard | Parallel | — | ○ | ≈$223.06 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| WavesCLA-2A | B 2.8 | LA-2A recreation | Standard | Parallel | — | △ (via Waves StudioRack) | Not listed |
| Solid State LogicSSL Native Bus Compressor 2 | B 3.0 | SSL bus compressor recreation | Standard | External SC + parallel | — | ○ | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 25, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- Supercharger: features and rating (rank C)
- MCompressor: features and rating (rank C)
- Pro-C 3: features and rating (rank S)
- smart:comp 3: features and rating (rank S)
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