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Average Price: $9,238
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$100
$501+
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Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Dive into a world of unparalleled sonic mastery with the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor—a cornerstone for serious sound engineers and producers alike. This versatile signal processor is designed to provide meticulous control over your audio dynamics, whether you're mastering an entire mix, sculpting individual busses, or refining single tracks. With its dual-stage architecture, it seamlessly blends an optical compressor with a discrete VCA compressor, each offering distinct tonal characteristics and control parameters.
In the Optical section, experience traditional threshold and gain settings, complemented by a program-dependent release that echoes the legendary LA-2A. This is where subtlety meets precision, allowing you to gracefully tame peaks while preserving the essential character of your music. Meanwhile, the Discrete section invites you to explore adjustable ratios, attack, and release times, letting you fine-tune compression to suit any musical style or complexity.
What truly sets the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor apart is its trio of switchable output transformers—Steel, Nickel, and Iron. Each option infuses your sound with a unique tonal quality, from the polished highs of Nickel to the colored mids of Iron, and the robust lows of Steel. This feature alone offers a palette of sonic flavors, reminiscent of the world's most iconic studio consoles.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is your ticket to dynamic control and tonal excellence.
Key Features:
- Dual-stage compression with both Optical and Discrete sections
- Switchable output transformers: Steel, Nickel, Iron
- Operable in stereo and dual-mono modes
- High-quality components for pristine audio fidelity
Product specs
| Type | Optical/VCA |
| Number of Channels | Stereo, Dual Mono |
| Controls | Optical/Discrete Threshold, Optical/Discrete Gain, Ratio, Attack, Recovery |
| Ratio | 1.2:1 to 20:1 |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | 2 x XLR |
| Outputs | 2 x XLR |
| Side Chain Inserts | Sidechain Highpass Filter |
| Rack Spaces | 5U |
| Power Source | Shadow Hills rackmountable power supply required (sold separately) |
| Height | 8.5" |
| Depth | 14.25" |
| Width | 19" |
| Weight | 33.5 lbs. |
FAQs
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What type of compression does the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor use?
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The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor utilizes both optical and VCA compression, allowing for versatile dynamics control suitable for mastering applications.
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How many channels does the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor support?
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The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor supports stereo and dual mono channels, providing flexibility in processing multiple audio sources.
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What are the main controls available on the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor?
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The compressor features controls for Optical/Discrete Threshold, Optical/Discrete Gain, Ratio, Attack, and Recovery, offering precise manipulation over dynamics.
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Is the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor suitable for mastering?
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Yes, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is specifically designed for mastering, offering high-quality compression with detailed control over dynamics.
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What kind of inputs and outputs does the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor have?
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The compressor is equipped with 2 x XLR inputs and 2 x XLR outputs, ensuring professional-grade connectivity for studio environments.
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Does the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor require an external power supply?
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Yes, it requires a Shadow Hills rackmountable power supply, which is sold separately, to operate effectively.
Videos
Doctor Mix
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor In Action
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.
Use cases and applications
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The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor excels at providing a gluey, warm tone for genres like indie and folk, but may sound muddy on heavy music.
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For mastering, some users employ less than 1dB of gain reduction with a slight mix knob adjustment, resulting in a controlled yet punchy sound.
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It's noted for adding a distinct sonic signature, potentially lifting mids, which can be detected even without engaging compression.
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While not specific to techno, the compressor is praised for its incredible detail, loudness, and stereo enhancement capabilities.
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Using the Shadow Hills Compressor after a multiband compressor can create a smoother compression effect by pre-treating peaks.
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The Shadow Hills Compressor is often used in a mix bus context rather than strictly for mastering, due to its heavy-handed compression character.
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Features and functionality
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Users recommend setting the attack at 30ms for percussive elements, achieving a snap without excessive gain reduction, and suggest slow release times for optimal results.
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The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor can be simplified by using only the optical gain and threshold, minimizing the need for other controls when in stereo mode.
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It's possible to stack discrete and optical modes, although using only one at a time simplifies operation to just two knobs.
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In M-S mode, the right side controls the side signal, offering unique benefits not present in stereo mode.
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The plugin's right half is mostly inactive in stereo mode, simplifying operation compared to dual mono.
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User experience
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It's noted that the saturation characteristics of the Shadow Hills' transformers are often preferred over actual gain reduction, enhancing tonal color without compressing.
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Some users find the interface overwhelming due to unrecognizable labels and settings, but reading the manual reveals its simplicity in stereo mode.
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Comparisons
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 12 Ratings
115
Our go to Mastering compressor.
The Shadow Hill compressor got a great warm characteristic and a very intuitive way of compressing.
Artist usage
Add artist
The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor can be seen on the left side of Flume's desk around 6-8 seconds into the video.
In a Wall Street Journal article titled "You Can't Beat It," Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme discusses his home studio, where he uses the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.
When describing the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, Steve Angello says "its a f-ing monster :)"
Eric's Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is featured in numerous Instagram (links below) of him teasing new work-in-progress music in his Los Angeles home studio.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUR4aOOAJPH/?taken-by=ericprydz&hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcH3baBs9G/?taken-by=ericprydz&hl=en https://www.instagram.com/p/BLhCzG1hRtZ/?taken-by=ericprydz&hl=en
The Shadow Hills Mastering compressor was used on 10 Death Breast and on other tracks on Bon Iver's album 22, A Million as stated in this article
In a photo Dirty South posted of his studio, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor can be seen amongst other outboard gear.
This compressor can be seen under the Maschine Studio, lit up under Noah's desk at 3:14 in this video
In the Trashaudio feature "Workspace and Environment: Alessandro Cortini," Alessandro Cortini discusses using the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor in his studio setup.
"Friday off will be spent in the studio, Which knob to turn?" The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is the top module in AN21's Instagram photo.
Album Usage
The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor has been featured on the following albums:
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 Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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