FET-A78
by Antelope Audio · Compressor · FET stereo compressor/limiter
Not rated yet
FET-A78 models a classic stereo FET compressor and peak limiter with four ratio modes.
Its attack and release run from very slow to very fast, for single instruments or buses, for $149 (on sale for $19.90 at KVR).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: FET, vocals, hardware emulation, drums, punchy, classic, electric guitar, backing vocals, full mix, room mics, synths, 80s, bus processing, extreme, 60s, bass, clean, gentle, glue, keys, mix bus, mixing, single-band, subscription, subtle, transistor, vintage, wide.
What it does
FET-A78 is Antelope Audio's model of a classic stereo FET compressor and peak limiter, the kind "used on countless records"; a Korean review site identifies the hardware as the UREI 1178, the stereo version of the 1176. Antelope pitches it for adding 1980s analog punch to single instruments and full mixes.
- FET gain reduction: modeled on a circuit that uses field-effect transistors as voltage-variable resistors, the core of the FET compressor sound.
- Four ratios: four ratio modes that take it from gentle compression to peak limiting.
- Wide timing range: attack and release run from extremely slow to super fast, so it can catch transients or ride levels slowly.
- Stereo mode: built to process stereo tracks and buses as one unit.
- Clean when pushed: the developer says it goes from subtle to extreme compression without distortion.
- Uses: drums, guitars, vocals and bass lines, and groups such as backing vocals, overheads and synths.
Version 1.0.1 needs no Antelope hardware. It is also part of the Antelope Cosmos subscription (75+ plugins), which has a free trial, and a manual is on Antelope's support site.
Source: Antelope Audio product page
When to use it
FET-A78 is the pick when you want FET punch on a stereo source at a very low sale price. Compared with CLA-76 and the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, which model the single-channel 1176 in several hardware revisions, it offers one stereo unit and fewer extras, but costs far less. It is more colourful and faster than the SSL G-Master Buss Compressor or The Glue on a bus, but less of a glue tool. Unlike Pro-C 3 it has no compression styles, sidechain EQ or detailed metering listed, so it is a character box rather than a do-everything compressor.
- Best for: drum buses and overheads, stereo guitars, keys and synths, backing vocal groups, and punchy vocals.
- Genres: rock, pop, hip-hop and any style that wants 1980s-style punch.
- Look elsewhere if: you want the classic single-channel 1176 sound and revisions (CLA-76 or the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection), or a clean, flexible all-rounder (Pro-C 3).
Where to buy
- Best Service: $19.90
- KVR Marketplace: $19.90 (regular $149)
- PluginFox: $19.90 (regular $149)
- AudioDeluxe: $19.90 (regular $149)
- Plugin Boutique: $149
- Antelope Audio: see store
Tutorials and reviews
Similar plugins
- 1178 by Pulsar Audio · Stereo FET compressor · $69
- UA 1176 Classic FET Compressor by Universal Audio · FET compressor · Free
- Black 76 Limiting Amplifier by IK Multimedia · FET compressor · $79.99
- Comp FET-76 by Arturia · FET compressor · $79
- FETish by Analog Obsession · FET compressor · Free
- FET Compressor Mk II by Softube · FET compressor · $149
- FG-116 Blue Series by Slate Digital · FET compressor · $99
- EA-76 by Echelon Audio · FET compressor · $39
- H76 by HoRNet · Vintage FET compressor · $24.97
- MC77 by Purple Audio · FET compressor/limiter · $125
More from Antelope Audio
- MG4+ by Antelope Audio · EQ · $119
- Adaptive Vibrato by Antelope Audio · Modulation · $129
- ALT-436C by Antelope Audio · Compressor · $19.90
- BA-31 by Antelope Audio · Saturation · $14.90
- BA-6A by Antelope Audio · Compressor · $179
- BAE 1073MP by Antelope Audio · Saturation · $19.90
- BAE-1023 by Antelope Audio · EQ · $18.90
- BAE-1073 by Antelope Audio · EQ · $19.90