Classic Compressors video from Audio School Online

It costs $14.99 for an 82-minute video that tries to explain (and more importantly, lets you hear) what compressor plugins that emulate classic hardware do. Not just a lecture, you get to hear the same clip effected by 11 different plugins.
 
If you're a beginner, this might be a good introduction to the subject, assuming you already know basic compressor terminology. But even for old hands it's still interesting to hear all these units side-by-side. It would cost you a lot more than $14.99 to perform this experiment yourself.
 
You can buy it or watch the first 9 minutes for free here: https://audioschoolonline.com/product/?lesson=388
 

There's a tutorial on exactly that topic by Kenny Gioia (who is excellent at explaining things) on the Groove3 site. 
 
The Groove3 tutorial goes through classic compressors, then brings up different versions of those same compressors offered in software by different vendors.  Talks about pluses and minuses, and how to use in various situations.  Listening samples along the way.

I watched it, Bit.
 
It was interesting.
 
I would never take the time to do this comparison myself. I think it would have been cool if he'd also had the original hardware for comparison.
 
Really, you have to do some listening when you choose and set your compressor. It's handy to know the properties of different compressors. There's a PDF that comes with the video that talks about minimum attack and release times for different hardware.

mixmkr
It used to be that if you had the compressor set correctly, you didn't hear it.

LOL, good one, Gramps. Next you'll tell me that back in the day real people played real instruments and that people only scratched records by accident.

oh...actually that's Great Gramps...  ahh...8 of the little rug rats now!  :-D

Compressors are one of those items that took me a long time to wrap my head around, as simple as the concept is.  If the GR meter moved, and I couldn't hear it, it was working. Basically I used it as a limiter for the tape machine first and then to help ride vocal levels. (remember 4 people riding faders during a mix?)  I actually had a couple of Fairchilds back in the 70's and didn't really know how popular they'd be. I sold them with my mono McIntosh amps, and other items I wish I still had ...I guess. Crown DC300 were the rage.  I was more interested in owning the "fad" gear like the 910 Harmonizer and the low budget digital verbs flooding the market.  I also used a LA3A which was used on everything.  Sidechaining was too difficult to understand ....and since you "shouldn't have heard" the compression, sidechaining didn't make sense either!! 
That said...for as long as I've been doing this, I don't seem to have the ears to pick up all these subtlties, and so therefore I guess I'm blessed not to be bothered with the zillon of clone plugins nowadays.  I honestly find it amusing that noobs with a years experience under their belt, to swear by a UAD to a Waves, to a Slate...to whatever.  Then their analog sources are so poor, it doesn't even really matter.  Same with pres, different condenser brands, and all that stuff that keeps places like Sweetwater a roaring success.

Lastly... I just did buy Boz's Manic Compressor, which I could easily hear...but that thing is meant for drastic settings.  But looking back, I think the GUI played a role in the decision! :-D
 
Oh yeah...still have my trusty 4311 monitors.  My Yamaha HR8 kick their butt though.
thanks for letting me stroll down that lane.....

bapu

mixmkr
Crown DC300 were the rage.  

WOW! I still have a working DC300A. I don't use it but I have it.

You need to buy my JBL4311 to go with it...then you'll have a great playback system for your tracking room.  Keep the musicians out of the control room!