IQ-Series Comp V2
by HOFA · Compressor · Compressor with linked tone EQ
Not rated yet
IQ-Series Comp V2 is HOFA's compressor with a built-in ColourEQ that can follow the gain reduction, so the tone changes as the compression works harder.
It offers transparent CALM and punchy ROUGH modes, adaptive timing, M/S, parallel mix and look-ahead, for €129.90 (about $148).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Drum Bus, Mix Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: mastering, bus processing, drums, vocals, look-ahead, mix bus, punchy, transparent, mid/side, clean, full mix, sidechain input, 80s, aggressive, bass, British console, drum bus, dual-mono, inspired by, mixing, modern, neutral, oversampling, parallel processing, percussion, resizable UI, single-band, visual feedback.
What it does
IQ-Series Comp V2 is a modern compressor with a tone EQ built in. HOFA calls it "the world's only compressor" that links its gain reduction to that tone control, so the EQ moves only as much as the signal is compressed.
- Linked ColourEQ: shelving and peak filters whose amount follows the gain reduction, for EQ that only kicks in on the loud parts.
- CALM mode: clean, transparent, neutral compression for vocals, bass, the mix bus and mastering.
- ROUGH mode: more aggressive and transient-rich, aimed at drums, percussion and an 80s British console-style sound.
- Adaptive processing: attack, release and ratio adapt to the input, with an adaptive AUTO mode.
- Look-ahead: look-ahead compression, plus EQ look-ahead to keep transient punch.
- Sidechain and routing: two parametric sidechain EQ bands for compression without pumping, Dry/Wet parallel compression, and mono, stereo, dual mono or M/S operation.
- Clipper and display: oversampled clipping, an interactive gain reduction display that also shows the frequency reduction, and a resizable window.
Version 2.5.8 has a 14-day free trial.
When to use it
IQ-Series Comp V2 is the better pick when compression also changes the tone of a source. Compared with Pro-C 3, it ties the EQ to the gain reduction, so tone changes happen only as hard as it compresses. Unlike TDR Kotelnikov, which aims for clean, transparent control, it has a ROUGH mode for punchier, coloured compression, though CALM covers the clean side too. It does not try to copy any hardware, so it lacks the vintage character of the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection or the CLA-2A.
- Best for: vocals, drums, buses and mastering where compression should also shape tone.
- Genres: any; it is a general-purpose compressor.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a vintage hardware emulation (1176 Classic Limiter Collection, CLA-2A) or a simpler bus compressor (The Glue).
What producers say
Very few user reviews exist, but those found are fully positive.
- Thomann users rate it 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, with top marks for features, handling, sound and CPU use.
- Thomann reviewer called it a "personal must-have" and uses it on the master bus of every project.
Where to buy
Tutorials and reviews
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