Read about it here and then debate....GO...

http://plus.pointblanklon...st-compressor-plugins/

Larry,
 
Severely important topic.
 
Bottom feeder mentality here, so haven't tried some of the entries as I'd have to spend something. Also depends on what you are using a comp for.  I use a comp for squashing a guitar signal, so not looking for transparency as one might seek for end point mastering.
 
From a guitar banger perspective, some noble candidates are not mentioned. Couple free, and some not anymore.
 
Vitamin C from Distorque. Faithful circuit from the Orange comp (chugging rebound included). Check out their other freebies also. Vit C hardware stomp reported used by Santana and the Dire Straits dude.
 
http://distorqueaudio.com/plugins/vitamin-c.html
 
Eventide UltraChannel (closed my eyes so as not to see how much is costs now. One of the only plugs I considered the benefit/risk ratio worth the degradation to have an Ilok account involved). Still can't find a damned crack for this one.
 
http://eventideplugins.elasticbeanstalk.com/ultrachannel.jsp
 
AudioDamage Rough Rider. Was so inspired by the free version that I got the pro plug, and still go back to the freebie.
 
https://www.audiodamage.c...product.php?pid=ADF002
 
Not really a compressor, but a limiter full of squash and irritating rebound chug. Cakewalk's ancient BoostII unit. Way cool in my book.
 
Sneaking the “R” word under the radar, but Reaper published their ReaPlugs suite with an excellent compressor. Free and compatible with Cakewalk. Don't have to love Reaper to love their free suite. Of interest in the suite pertaining to this is the ReaGate. Excellent noise gate after the comp.
 
http://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/
 
So many compressors, so little time.
 
John
 

My favs...not in any kind of order.
Fab Filter Pro-C
TDR Kotelnikov
Klanghelm MJUC
Klanghelm DC8C2
Pro Channel PC4K Bus Comp
ToneBoosters Bus Compressor
IK Multimedia Bus Comp
IK Multimedia Precision Comp
Vladg Sound Molot
Cakewalk CA2A

I once attempted to assemble such a list myself, but quickly realized the only objective measure was the feature set, and that's not an adequate basis for any "best of" ranking.
 
Ease-of-use trumps everything else by a wide margin. That's why LA2A and 1176 clones are so popular: they don't require any study or experimentation or instructional videos.
 
However, versatility also has to be considered. A two-knob opto can be perfectly adequate for many jobs, but not for anything surgical. 
 
Thirdly, cost is a factor. Something like Tokyo Dawn's Kotelnikov will always rate highly (why isn't it on that list?), despite being a little obtuse and feature-light, because it's free. 
 
Last on my list of priorities is its "sound". If a compressor sounds bad, it's either broken or you're using it wrong. Claims that a compressor "sounds musical" or that it has "mojo" are nonsense. Some are easier to dial in than others, that's all.
 
So how does one rank, say, DMG Compassion? If you're just counting features, it deserves to be very high on the list for its versatility. But it's fairly expensive, and its complicated UI will keep many users from exploiting all of its capabilities.
 
I have other issues with that list, too. Why would one 1176 clone be better than another? Don't tell me it's because of more accurate modeling, because no two real 1176s sound exactly alike. And where are all the full-featured compressors? Is H-Comp really a better investment than something with adjustable knee, RMS detection, sidechain filters, intelligent release, oversampling, M/S, limiting and negative ratios?
 
The list should be titled "10 Good Compressors".
 
 

 
 
Kotelnikov was on my list! If you guys can scrape up $27 Klanghelms new MJUC is excellent.

Am I wrong to like Slate's VMR and VBC compressors?

Fleer
Am I wrong to like Slate's VMR and VBC compressors?

Absolutely not! If you're one of the lucky ones who gets reliable connections to your iLok on a PC, then not. If, however, you're like me, have all of the VMR plugs, and can't get the iLok to function reliably on your system?
 
Geez, I hate dongles.

Me too. I hope Slate goes the way most iLok-related pluggers go, even EastWest did so. Still running on iLok's PACE software, but at least you don't have to stick it.

Fleer
Me too. I hope Slate goes the way most iLok-related pluggers go, even EastWest did so. Still running on iLok's PACE software, but at least you don't have to stick it.

You mean there's a choice? I've been "dealing" with PACE since the parallel port dongle days. Hate them. The most unresponsive bunch of pr**ks on the planet. I thought you HAD to use their License Manager and driver. Me be wrong? Yet again?

Fleer
Am I wrong to like Slate's VMR and VBC compressors?

 
Of course not.  They're excellent, among the best ITB comps.  I also can't disagree with the choices on the list Larry linked to.  And I like Clint's list.  Point is, there's a boatload of good compressors out there, but the only way to know what's best for you is to try a bunch of them yourself.  Some you'll click with -- those that help you get the sound you're after with a minimum of fuss.  They may not be anyone else's favorites, but there's nothing wrong with that -- no one else has your material, tastes, objectives, and workflow preferences.  If you like using them, that's all that matters. 
 
A few of my faves not yet mentioned:
 
UAD Fairchild 660
Waves Kramer PIE
OverToneDSP DYN500  (best buy!)
 
Cheers,
Eddie