OptoRED
by Tone Empire · Compressor · Optical compressor
Not rated yet
OptoRED is a transparent optical compressor based on a classic American optical attenuator.
It adds a Compress/Limit switch, a sidechain EQ, a wet/dry mix and auto make-up gain, for $79.
Best for: Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Instruments, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: opto, transparent, bass, built-in mix knob, sidechain input, vocals, bus processing, hardware emulation, mix bus, metering, modern, parallel processing, A/B compare, analog-sounding, classic, full mix, low latency, mastering, mixing, oversampling, single-band, smooth.
What it does
OptoRED is Tone Empire's optical compressor, modelled on the classic American opto unit and part of its Enhanced Classics series. It aims for "smooth, invisible gain riding" with modern extras the hardware lacks.
- Opto curve: an optical attenuator with the signature opto response, a Compress/Limit switch and a VU meter.
- OptoAutogain: automatic make-up gain, so the level stays steady as you push it harder.
- Sidechain EQ: on/off, gain, frequency and Q controls to shape what drives the detector.
- Lo-Cut filter: keeps low end from triggering the compressor.
- Mix: wet/dry control for parallel compression.
- Workflow: A/B compare, low latency for real-time monitoring and up to 8x oversampling.
It comes with free updates. A 15-day full-version trial is available with no feature limits.
Source: Tone Empire product page
When to use it
OptoRED is the better pick when you want simple opto levelling with a few modern controls. Compared with UA's Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection and Waves' CLA-2A, it adds a sidechain EQ, a low-cut filter, autogain and a Mix knob, which makes parallel compression and taming bass-heavy sources easier. It is less of a hardware-faithful recreation and offers no choice of different unit models, as the UA collection does. Compared with Pro-C 3, it is far simpler, with one curve and no detailed display.
- Best for: transparent levelling on vocals, bass, acoustic instruments and buses.
- Genres: general purpose.
- Look elsewhere if: you want obvious colour (Tone Empire's E-LUX or a tube compressor adds more) or fast peak control (the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection).
- Tip: Audio Plugin Deals also suggests it as a gentle limiter on the master bus; the Compress/Limit switch is there for that.
What producers say
The one write-up we could read was positive, though it comes from a store that sells the plugin.
- Audio Plugin Deals (2020) called it a transparent opto with analog character, "best of both worlds", and recommended it on drums, vocals, guitars and synths, and as a master bus limiter; it noted no criticisms.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $79
- Tone Empire: $79
- Plugin Boutique: $79
- Audio Plugin Deals: $79
Tutorials and reviews
- Tone Empire OptoRED review
- Tone Empire OptoRed Compressor Review
- Checking Out OptoRED by Tone Empire
- THIS FEELS REALLY ANALOG! || Tone Empire - OptoRED
- OptoRed - Optical Compressor Plugin ( AU VST AAX )
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