Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $34
Budget/Beginner
$100
$501+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "BSS Audio DPR-402". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unlock a new realm of audio possibilities with the BSS Audio DPR-402, a dynamic signal processor that seamlessly bridges classic design with modern innovation. This versatile plug-in, developed in collaboration with BSS, is an homage to the legendary hardware unit known for its ability to bring punch and clarity to any mix. What sets the DPR-402 apart is its ability to function as a compressor, limiter, and de-esser, either separately or combined, delivering dynamic control that fits any style or genre.
Whether you're refining vocals with its de-essing capabilities or enhancing a track's punch with its compressor and limiter functions, the DPR-402 is engineered to handle it all with finesse. Its unique ability to process individual frequency ranges allows for precise tailoring, ensuring that every element in your mix sits perfectly.
For those seeking more control, the 12 modes and dual independent sidechains provide unparalleled flexibility, while additional features like the MS matrix and Auto Mode bring even more creative options to the table. Ideal for both seasoned audio professionals and ambitious beginners, the DPR-402 is the key to transforming your recordings into polished masterpieces.
Key Features:
- Plug-in designed in collaboration with BSS Audio
- Functions as a compressor, limiter, and de-esser
- Capable of processing individual frequency ranges
- 12 modes for various dynamics processing combinations
- Dual independent sidechains per channel
- MS matrix for separate mid and side processing
- Program-dependent Auto Mode for attack and release adjustments
Product specs
| Available since | October 2016 |
| Los artikel / bundelartikel | Los artikel |
| Delay | No |
| Dynamics | Yes |
| Effect Filter | No |
| Encoder/Decoder | No |
| Equalizer | No |
| Guitar amps/-effects | No |
| Channel Strip | No |
| Metering / Analysis / Correction | No |
| Modulation Effects | No |
| Multieffect / Plugin-Host | No |
| Overdrive/Distortion | No |
| Preamp / Saturation | No |
| Psychoacoustic tool / Enhancer / Exciter | No |
| Restauration | No |
| Reverb | No |
| Special FX | No |
| Summer / Mixing Consoles | No |
| Tape Simulation | No |
| Pitch Shifter / Harmonizer / Timestretching | No |
| Transient Processing | No |
| Vocoder / Vocal effect | No |
| Mastering Tools | No |
| Hardware Controller | No |
| Download | 1 |
FAQs
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What functions does the BSS Audio DPR-402 offer?
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The BSS Audio DPR-402 is a dual-channel compressor/limiter that includes high-frequency and wide-band de-essing capabilities, along with peak limiting and adjustable speed dynamics processing.
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Is the BSS Audio DPR-402 suitable for vocal processing?
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Yes, the DPR-402's de-essing capabilities make it particularly effective for vocal processing, helping to manage sibilance while maintaining clarity and dynamics.
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Can the BSS Audio DPR-402 be used for live sound applications?
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The DPR-402 is designed for both studio and live sound environments, offering robust dynamics control that is beneficial in managing audio levels in live performances.
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Does the BSS Audio DPR-402 offer LED metering?
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Yes, the DPR-402 features full LED metering for both input and output, allowing for precise monitoring of audio levels during processing.
Videos
Oinkba Studios
BSS DPR-402 Compressor Limiter De-Esser
Reviews
PROS
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Enhances live recording transparency and richness, especially for classical concerts
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Offers versatile compression, expansion, and de-essing capabilities
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Effective as a sidechain, offering tonal neutrality when used moderately
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Can produce a crunchy guitar tone and improve digital drum sounds
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Provides a wide range of settings for detailed sound customization
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Acts as a swiss army knife for studio troubleshooting and mixing
CONS
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Interface is not scalable, making it less user-friendly
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Manual is minimal, requiring significant time to master
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Can be CPU heavy, potentially overwhelming bass with certain settings
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Not suitable for novices due to its extensive processing versatility
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about BSS Audio DPR-402.
Comparisons
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The BSS DPR-402 is compared to the Distressor, which is preferred on most sources, indicating the DPR-402's niche use.
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It's noted that the DPR-402 has a lot of character, sometimes too much, making it less versatile across musical styles.
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The DPR-402's de-essing capability is likened to that of a C6, suggesting that the latter might be a preferable choice in modern setups.
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The RNLA is noted to perform better for "smash" effects compared to the DPR-402, suggesting the latter may not be ideal for high-intensity compression needs.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners find the DPR-402 useful for kick drums and light compression on room mics, especially for rock tracks.
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The DPR-402 was commonly used for de-essing at live gigs, with at least one unit always present in outboard racks.
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The DPR-402 is highlighted as a practical choice for background vocals and key groups, suggesting its suitability for specific studio tasks.
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Value and pricing
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Some users feel the local price of 350 EUR for a used DPR-402 is high, indicating potential buyers should negotiate or seek better deals.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
40994
Swiss army knife stereo VCA dynamics processor
Every studio I worked at had one of these save the crummy ones. This is a swiss army knife of compression/expansion/de-ess... does whatever you need. Goes fast, slow, subtle, extreme. Most versatile and effective sidechain going so its more than a de-esser. Tonally neutral when used moderately and can also smash like a valley unit but cleaner. I believe these were meant for live sound but this particular model has a huge, versatile feature set and excellent sound quality. I'm on a quest for one but no one ever sells them. Do not be tempted to get the 4 channel or later series versions like the 5s and 9s, not the same.
A real workhorse, not glamorous but solidly useful for troubleshooting stuff you missed when tracking or (more likely) on other people's dodgy home recordings you're mixing... you have to really fiddle with a pile of plugins in the box to solve problems this thing gets in about 5 minutes tweaking. If you're a novice this will be too much processing versatility for you. You can really fuck up your sound pretty quickly but its that power that makes it such an excellent piece.
Artist usage
Add artist
"For vocals Stan puts Jeff Tweedy and John Stirratt through a dual channel Summit Audio tube compressor… usually. At the time of the taping, one channel was acting up and John’s vocal was put through a dbx compressor at the bottom of the rack. See, jujitsu. Acoustic guitars, piano, and keys are processed through BSS DPR-402 and 404 compressors; drums, bass, and effects are sent to dbx 1066 gate/comps," reads this post by ACL TV.
video recorded at Electrical Audio, Steve Albini's studio, item shown around 10:16
Part of Utley's studio, as specified in this November 2008 Sound on Sound interview.
More recent outboard includes Thermionic Culture's Phoenix valve compressor and Culture Vulture valve overdrive, BSS DPR402, and SPL's Transient Designer 2, and, from an earlier era, but a recent acquisition, a Yamaha SPX90, bought from a BBC engineer after the recent Later sessions for £80. "You can arpeggiate with the pitch–shift, and I really like the graininess. It's probably derived from a later SPX model, but I really like the effects in my Yamaha 02R, as well."
"The rack is basically my vocal station, so I have everything wired in from my live room through a Tube-Tech PB-1B EQ. I have three Tube-Techs so we sometimes have three different bass synths going through them and a BSS DPR-402 compressor just to warm everything up."
Daniel Miller includes the BSS Audio DPR-402 in his studio gear, as noted in Sound on Sound.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use BSS Audio DPR-402, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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