FabFilter Pro-C 3 Compressor

Compression that adapts to your workflow

Pro-C 3 features six new compression algorithms, totalling 14 compression styles across a huge range of functionality and colouration. Split across Modern, Classic, and Utility categories, Pro-C 3 gives you fast access to the right response for each task. Clean modes handle mastering and dialogue with level-independent Auto Threshold control, while character-driven options introduce movement, colour, and controlled pumping. Upward compression and TTM processing allow combined upward and downward dynamics, which is particularly useful for enhancing detail without crushing transients. Variable knee, range, hold, and lookahead controls let you shape behaviour precisely, whether you want subtle control or assertive dynamic impact.

Advanced Side-chain for fine-tune frequency response

Enhanced for Pro-C 3, the side-chain EQ is deeply configurable, using Pro-Q-style filters for an immediately familiar workflow. You can build multi-band detector curves with steep slopes up to 96 dB/oct, including brickwall high- and low-pass options, plus all-pass filtering for phase-sensitive work. External side-chain, MIDI triggering, and host-synced pulse triggering are all included to transform what you thought was possible with a compressor plugin, offering new creative expression.

Ready for immersive and surround sessions

New for Pro-C 3, there’s support for surround and Dolby Atmos formats up to 9.1.6, with flexible linking across stereo pairs and full channel groups. Centre, sides, tops, and LFE channels can be linked or controlled independently, so dynamics stay coherent without flattening spatial movement. The Auto Gain intelligently listens to your audio to apply mid-only or side-only processing, which is especially useful in complex immersive projects. It’s a practical choice if your sessions move between stereo, surround, and Atmos without changing tools.

Fast and flexible workflow

Keeping true to FabFilter’s innovative, intuitive and flexible workflow design, Pro-C 3’s GUI has been updated to fall in-line with their latest plugin offerings. This updated interface feels familiar, while giving you more control without overwhelming you with parameters and menu options. See the input, output and gain reduction levels in real-time and add the option Knee controls into your display or dial it back to the Compact mode, maintaining the core functionality without visual distraction.

An updated preset browser adds tagging, search, favourites, and direct copy/paste between instances, which saves a huge amount of time in large sessions. Combined with sample-accurate automation, A/B comparison, and Smart Parameter Interpolation, Pro-C 3 stays responsive and predictable in professional workflows.

Features

• 14 compression styles, consisting of six new modes including Versatile, Smooth, Upward, TTM, Op-El and Var-Mu
• Multiple new Character modes with analog saturation, colouration and drift
• New Character modes include Diode and Bright options with adjustable drive and pre/post routing
• Auto Threshold mode for input level-independent compression behaviour
• Host tempo pulse triggering (Host Sync) with customizable Sync, Offset (50–200%) and Pulse Length control
• Upward compression and combined upward/downward multiband dynamics processing (TTM)
• Highly advanced side-chain EQ with freely configurable multi-band filtering, Pro-Q shapes including all-pass, plus slopes up to 96 dB/oct and brickwall HP/LP options
• Surround-sound and Dolby Atmos support up to 9.1.6 with customisable link behaviour across stereo pairs and all-channel linking
• Surround linking controls including Centre Link and adjustable groups across all channels including Sides, Tops and LFE
• Oversampling up to 32x to reduce aliasing during aggressive/fast compression and heavy Character Drive usage
• New preset browser with folders, easy search, tags, metadata and favourites
• Copy/paste plug-in settings across instances directly from the preset browser
• Preset management enhancements including Save As Default and MIDI Program Change preset loading
• Integrates with Pro-Q 4 “List” view, letting you control Pro-C 3 in one ecosystem
• Animated level display showing incoming/processed audio and gain reduction, with optional knee display for visualizing Threshold/Ratio/Knee/Range behaviour
• Accurate peak and loudness level metering (Momentary EBU R128 / ITU-R 1770 compliant)
• Lookahead up to 20 ms with global Maximum Lookahead control for managing overall latency
• Hold control for transparency or pumping behavior
• Range control to limit maximum gain reduction
• Variable knee up to 72 dB soft knee
• External side chain triggering, MIDI triggering and auditionable triggering monitoring
• Intelligent Auto Gain (including mid-only/side-only awareness)
• Auto Release with program-dependent behaviour
• MIDI Learn
• Undo/redo and A/B comparison
• Smart Parameter Interpolation
• Sample-accurate automation for all parameters
• Available in multiple formats for different DAWs including VST, VST3, CLAP, AU, AAX Native and AudioSuite formats

Specifications

• Operating system:
  • Mac: MacOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only)
  • Windows: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista
• Format:
  • Mac: VST2/3, AU, CLAP, AAX Native and AudioSuite
  • Windows: VST2/VST3, CLAP, AAX Native and AudioSuite
• Processor: Intel, AMD and Apple Silicon supported