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Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the warmth and richness of legendary analog compression with the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In. This plug-in faithfully captures the essence of the iconic Fairchild 660 and 670, revered for their lush tube tone and dynamic control. Renowned for their use by artists like The Beatles and Pink Floyd, these compressors are now accessible in a digital format that retains the original's character while offering modern enhancements.

The Fairchild 670's stereo capabilities inject life and color into your mixes, making it perfect for adding a vintage sheen to vocals, drums, and full tracks. Meanwhile, the Fairchild 660 is known for its aggressiveness on piano, bass, and guitar tracks, providing punch and presence with ease. With features like Dry/Wet Mix control and Sidechain Filtering, you can seamlessly blend compressed and uncompressed signals, achieving the perfect balance for your sound.

Universal Audio's meticulous attention to detail means this plug-in mirrors the exact circuit paths of "golden reference" units from Ocean Way Studios, capturing every nuance of the original transformers and tube amplifiers. This authenticity is paired with modern features such as Headroom control and presets from top engineers, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision and creativity.

Key Features:

  • Includes both mono Fairchild 660 and stereo 670 compressors
  • Authentic analog emulation with full circuit path modeling
  • Stereo Sidechain Link with multiple Time Constant options
  • Modern plug-in features: Dry/Wet Mix, Headroom control, and Sidechain filtering
  • Presets by renowned engineers for quick, professional starting points

Product specs

Software Type Fairchild Tube Limiter
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX, AU, VST3 (UAD Native), UAD DSP
Authorization Type iLok Account Required (UADx Native version)
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core 2 Duo / AMD Athlon 64 X2 or higher, 4GB RAM minimum
OS Requirements - Mac macOS 10.15 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 10 or later

FAQs

What makes the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In unique compared to other compressor plugins?

The Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In offers authentic emulations of vintage Fairchild compressors, known for their tube warmth and character. It includes features like Wet/Dry, Sidechain Filter, and Headroom controls, providing precise control over compression and enhancing audio with harmonic richness.

Is the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In compatible with my DAW?

Yes, the plugin is compatible with AAX, AU, and VST3 formats, making it suitable for use with most major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live. Ensure your system meets the plugin's hardware and OS requirements for optimal performance.

Does the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In require any specific hardware for authorization?

Yes, the UADx Native version of the plugin requires an iLok account for authorization. This ensures secure licensing and access to the plugin's features across different systems.

Can the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In be used with any audio interface?

Yes, the plugin can be used with any audio interface. It includes both UAD Native and Apollo Realtime/UAD-2 versions, allowing flexibility in various recording and mixing environments.

What are the system requirements for the Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In on a Mac?

For Mac users, the plugin requires macOS 10.15 or later, with an Intel Core 2 Duo or higher processor and a minimum of 4GB RAM to ensure smooth operation and optimal performance.

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional tonal color opens up new creative possibilities for sound experimentation

  • Adds unique warmth and character to drum sounds and vocals

  • Acts as a cohesive glue in mixes, enhancing overall sound quality

  • Integrates seamlessly with other plugins like API 2500 and FabFilter Q3

  • Provides flexible compression options, from subtle to heavy, while maintaining clarity

  • Particularly effective as the final touch on track chains

  • Sonically and visually impressive, enhancing user experience

CONS

  • Requires an I-Lok for usage, which may be inconvenient for some users

  • Not ideal for those seeking transparent compression, as it adds distinct coloration

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In.

Comparisons

  • UAD Fairchild is often preferred over Waves Puigchild for a richer sound and better transient retention, despite not perfectly matching the hardware.

    Source
  • The 670 is a 'variable mu' compressor, using tubes for gain reduction, contrasting with the LA-2A's optical-based gain reduction, affecting their tonal characteristics differently.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Acustica Ultramarine 4 is praised for its tonal color and shape, but users note it can be CPU heavy.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Fairchild 670 is favored for vintage vocals and bus compression, providing a distinct saturation that some find dulls high frequencies.

    Source
  • The 670 is versatile, often used for mix bus 'glue' effects and on electric guitars, retaining transients well and providing distinct tonal character.

    Source
  • While some use it for mastering, it may reduce low-end frequencies, making it less ideal for hip hop/pop mixes that require pronounced bass.

    Source
  • The Fairchild 670 excels on drum groups, particularly for taming transient-heavy, peaky signals and creating a cohesive sound.

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  • The DC knob is highlighted for use on keys and acoustic guitars, with recommendations for individual drums when set on time constant 1.

    Source
  • The 670 is favored for adding depth and control to bass guitar, as well as for saturating acoustic guitar through parallel compression and tape saturation.

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Features and functionality

  • Users appreciate the UAD Fairchild for its transient retention, contrasting with Acustica options that offer more color/shape but may sacrifice some transients.

    Source
  • The Fairchild 670's six time constant settings offer varied attack and release times, with #1, #2, and #6 being popular for their diverse compression effects.

    Source
  • Using the 1 time constant setting on slower vocal performances enhances transient retention, providing snappiness when paired with an opto compressor like the LA-2A Grey.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mark Knopfler uses Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In

Mark Knopfler

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

The Fairchild 670 Compressor Plugin is used by Mark Knopfler as shown at 4:00 in this rig rundown. He says, "Like the early Beatles records would have been run through those in mastering. But we've got them on pianos and acoustic guitars and things as well."

See how Frank Ocean uses Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In

Frank Ocean

Singer, Rapper

Odd Future

...
Verified via Dolphinmusic

Helped give unique sounds to Ocean's vocals

See how Paul Epworth uses Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In

Paul Epworth

Keyboardist

Band Aid 30

...
Verified via Miloco

According to the "equipment list" found on Church Studios, owned by Epworth, one of the things listed is Fairchild 670.

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 Universal Audio Fairchild® 670 Compressor Plug-In, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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