Gem COMP76

Name: Gem COMP76
Price: 69 USD
Author: Overloud

by Overloud · Compressor · FET compressor-limiter (76 style)

Not rated yet

Gem COMP76 simulates a classic FET compressor-limiter in three hardware revisions (A, D and F).

It adds mid-side, parallel compression and an all-buttons-in mode. It costs about $101.06 (€89, regular €139).

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: FET, parallel processing, mid/side, classic, drums, hardware emulation, mixing, bass, vocals, built-in mix knob, modern, resizable UI, 60s, aggressive, crisp, electric guitar, inspired by, metering, oversampling, punchy, sidechain input, single-band, transformer, vintage, warm.

What it does

Gem COMP76 is Overloud's emulation of the classic 1176-style FET compressor-limiter, with three hardware revisions and modern mixing extras in one plugin.

Three revisions: Rev. A (older and warmer), Rev. D 'Low Noise' (the classic LN version) and Rev. F (more modern, faster and crisper).
Main controls: Input, Output, Attack, Release and the ratio buttons, including an emulation of the aggressive all-buttons-in mode.
Tone: a Harmonics amount control and simulation of all the transformers in the original unit.
Mid-side and parallel: compress the mid and side separately, and blend dry and wet with a Mix control.
Sidechain filter: a low-cut on the detector so the low end drives the compression less.
Quality and CPU: oversampling with an ultra mode; Overloud quotes more than 1,000 instances on a MacBook Pro Retina.
Workflow: resizable interface, scribble strips, meter calibration at five levels and presets.

KVR lists version 2.0.10. A trial is available.

Source: Overloud product page

When to use it

Gem COMP76 is a good pick when you want 1176 bite with three revisions, mid-side and a mix knob, at very low CPU. Compared with the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection, it also offers several 1176 revisions, and adds built-in mid-side processing and a harmonics control. Compared with CLA-76, which offers two revisions, it adds a third, plus parallel blending inside the plugin. Sound On Sound's reviewer liked it more than most software 1176 copies, which makes it a strong all-round FET choice.

Best for: fast, punchy compression on vocals, drums, bass and guitars, and parallel drum compression.
Genres: rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B and most mixing work.
Look elsewhere if: you want slow, smooth leveling (Gem COMP LA or CLA-2A) or a precise modern compressor with visual feedback (Pro-C 3).
Tip: the attack and release knobs run the opposite way to the hardware, with 1 the shortest and 7 the longest.

What producers say

Reviewers and users rate it highly for sound, range and CPU use.

Sound On Sound (Sam Inglis, 2021, Gem Studio review) said "I liked Comp 76 a lot more than most software 1176-alikes" and found it works on practically any source.
Cakewalk forum users said it "sounds more natural than others" and barely registers on the CPU; one uses it for parallel compression on drums.
Criticisms: Sound On Sound felt the Gem bundle is expensive and faces strong competition on familiar models like the 1176.

Where to buy

AudioDeluxe: $69 (regular $99)
Overloud: $101.06 (regular $157.83) (€89 (regular €139) incl. VAT converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

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