DYN 3000
by TC Electronic · Compressor · Midas console compressor and gate
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DYN 3000 recreates the channel dynamics of the Midas Heritage 3000 console, with compressor and gate sections.
It offers four compressor types, three gate types, a presence control, upward and parallel compression and an external sidechain; the developer lists it at $149.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: parallel processing, sidechain input, bass, drums, external sidechain, hybrid topology, mixing, vocals, electric guitar, bus processing, drum bus, enhancement, hardware emulation, preset-driven, single-band, tracking.
What it does
DYN 3000 recreates the channel dynamics of the Midas Heritage 3000 console as a plugin, with extra features the hardware never had. TC Electronic calls it "the ultimate dynamics processing tool".
- Compressor: four compressor types, modelled on the Heritage 3000's channel dynamics.
- Gate: three gate types in the same plugin, so compression and gating sit in one insert.
- Presence control: adds air and top-end detail back to signals that sound dull after compression.
- Upward and parallel compression: both are built in, so you can lift quiet detail or blend dry and compressed signal without extra routing.
- Sidechain: an external sidechain input for ducking and keyed gating.
- Presets and DAW integration: presets from producers and engineers, with automation and project recall.
The current version is 1.1.0. A version bundled with a hardware controller is sold as DYN 3000-DT, and it pairs with the PEQ 3000 EQ from the same Midas Heritage series. TC Electronic's own product pages currently return a 404 error, so the details here come from KVR (and Sweetwater where noted).
Source: TC Electronic product page
When to use it
DYN 3000 is the pick when you want a Midas console's dynamics rather than the SSL sound most channel plugins copy. Compared with SSL Native Channel Strip 2, it has no EQ or filters, but offers more compressor and gate types plus upward and parallel compression in one plugin. Against FabFilter Pro-C 3, it gives a fixed console character and a gate, while Pro-C 3 is more flexible and visual. Unlike the 1176 or LA-2A collections, it is a utility channel compressor rather than one famous colour box.
- Best for: tracking and mixing vocals, drums, bass and guitars, especially when you want compression and gating in one place.
- Genres: general-purpose, for any style.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a full channel strip with EQ in one plugin; pair it with PEQ 3000, or use an SSL strip such as Native Channel Strip 2.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $64.50
- KVR Audio: $149 (Developer's listed price on KVR; TC Electronic's own product page was unreachable (404))
Tutorials and reviews
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