Haven't had any free time to check it out but it seems to be really popular on GearSlutz...
 
I was reading a thread yesterday about it sounding best when you don't overdrive the input but can't seem to be able to find the thread now.
 
Most of the comments there seems to be really positive.
Here's a couple that have a fair amount of detail.
 

GearSlutz
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/9682168-post15.html
Damn! I'm enjoying this a lot for a FREE compressor. I like how you can activate the DIRT and give it that extra tube saturation or turn it off for less saturation. Reminds me of UBK here with the Saturation Engine. I also like how the input trim dial has the little indicators to show you where the sweet spot for the most range on the compressor. If the signal is too weak, it has a little right arrow, if the signal is too strong, it has a left arrow. (The arrows basically tell you which way to tweak the dial I'm guessing). If its just right, it has a green/yellow (bad eyes) LED that pops up. Wet/dry controls - nice. Extra compression with the "punch" button. This is a win for a free item. Last year, NI gave out Drive for free. Even though I dont use it all all, I still enjoy the fact that I have the option to use Drive, but this, I think Ill end up using.

Thanks NI!

Update: using the "dirt" button levels your signal off even more like using distortion on a track.

 or

GearSlutz
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/9687751]-post27.html
This is a kickass compressor. My jaw is kind of on my floor right now. I've had more chance to try it now:

Loves:
- It has a fixed threshold and works on the gain-principle instead, just like a lot of the best classic, analog compressors. I like that way of working.
- The sound. It's got 4 sounds; smooth compression (no buttons), crunchy compression (dirt enabled - increases the strength of an overdrive stage so that the compressor distorts in a musical way and changes character drastically without actually boosting the volume), punchy/pumping (punch enabled - which only seems to change the built-in attack and release and isn't changing the algorithm), crunchy and punchy (punch and dirt enabled).
- The way that the compress-knob automatically calculates the gain reduction and automatically boosts the output so that the volume stays practically the same while you compress. It allows you to relax and listen to the compressor's effect without having to constantly adjust the output gain to match the levels.
- To get a louder, more driven sound, you tweak the Input and Output Trim. The compress-knob is just used for the actual compression. You get a wonderful separation of concepts. Want more drive? Drive the input + output. Want more compression? Raise the compression knob. The input/output volume will stay the same. I am digging this way of working!
- The dry/wet parallel compression knob right in the GUI, no need for complex Send-routings. When evaluating this plugin, remember to try doing parallel compression. It sounds fantastic and the plugin really excels at it. Heavy, thick, juicy yet clear-sounding drums effortlessly. Feel free to try absolutely INSANE amounts of gain reduction if you are doing parallel compression, to give yourself a thickly compressed, warm bed underneath the drums.
- It supports sidechaining like any good native compressor.

I sort of want to dislike it because it's Native Instruments and they aren't known for doing accurate, warm-sounding FX emulations. They're supposed to be the quirky germans with the techno-sounds and synths. Now they're actually releasing very, very good analog emulations. I can barely believe my ears.

Like... the quality of this is honestly practically UAD-quality. I really, really hate to admit it but this compressor is VERY good...

UAD could release this and give it a less techno-interface, demand $399 for it and call it the "Ultra Super Duper Best Ever Analog Compressor" and people would believe that they had made it. It's not 100% UAD-quality and "instant vibe", but it's damn close. This is awesome. And it contains a lot more forward-thinking features than UAD ever puts into their products. The automatic gain adjustment so that you can focus on the compression is freaking fantastic!

Right now, I am just kinda shocked, but I bet a few years from now none of us will even question NI's position as one of the top FX manufacturers.

It will continue to feel "icky" to use this compressor for a while, because of "but... but... it's Native Instruments... they don't know how to do this kinda stuff"... But I am gonna have to get rid of that phobia because it truly kicks ass... despite its nerdy techno-like interface, low price and ultra-lame, nerdy "Supercharger" name./

 

post edited by TheSteven - 2013/12/24 07:04:12