Pythor

Name: Pythor
Price: 99 USD
Author: Tone Empire

by Tone Empire · Compressor · PWM compressor

Not rated yet

Pythor is a pulse-width modulation (PWM) compressor that Tone Empire describes as combining VCA-style smack with stable, FET-like decay.

It adds a two-band parametric EQ and a mix control, modelled with 192 kHz Ultra-X NM2 machine-learning models, for $99.

Best for: Drums, Drum Bus, Bass, Vocals, Mix Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Hip-Hop & Trap, Pop, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: PWM, drums, inspired by, built-in mix knob, VCA, AI/machine learning, bass, parallel processing, vocals, wide, bus processing, metering, musical, punchy, aggressive, colored, creamy, drum bus, full mix, gentle, glue, hardware emulation, heavy, mix bus, mixing, single-band, visual feedback.

What it does

Pythor models a rare compressor type, pulse-width modulation (PWM), with a two-band EQ added on top. Tone Empire calls it "born for drums" and describes the PWM sound as "brutally fast and strangely musical."

PWM engine: fast compression with what the developer calls VCA-style smack and a stable, musical decay.
Range: goes from gentle control to heavy squash.
Mix: blends dry and compressed signal for parallel compression inside the plugin.
Two-band EQ: low and high parametric bands for shaping drums and instruments, an addition beyond the original hardware design.
VU meter: a cream-coloured VU for visual feedback.
Ultra-X models: NM2 neural models at up to 192 kHz, for low aliasing and extended high end when pushed hard.
Version 2: a refreshed interface, a new preset browser, lower CPU use in Ultra-X and better stability across DAWs.

Updates are free; Version 2 was a free upgrade for existing owners. A 15-day full-version trial is available.

Source: Tone Empire product page

When to use it

Pythor is the better pick when you want a fast, punchy compressor with a different character from the usual FET and VCA models, and EQ in the same window. Compared with the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection or CLA-76, it offers a PWM flavour instead of FET bite, plus a built-in mix knob and two EQ bands. Compared with the Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, it is simpler, with no selectable distortion modes, but quicker to dial in. Compared with The Glue, it is aimed more at individual drums and instruments than at bus glue.

Best for: snappy drums, punchy bass and aggressive vocals, especially with the mix knob for parallel compression.
Genres: rock, hip-hop, pop and electronic music.
Look elsewhere if: you want slow, gentle levelling (an opto design like the Teletronix LA-2A Collection) or classic SSL-style bus glue (The Glue or SSL G-Master Buss Compressor).

Where to buy

Tone Empire: $99

Tutorials and reviews

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