Menu 
Secure checkout 
Compression with musical soul
Presswerk: Dynamics processor with musical soul
Presswerk is more than an emulation of a single hardware compressor. Like Satin, Presswerk is a toolkit, drawing ideas and inspiration from a number of sources. It starts with warmth of classic analogue units and adds features only possible in the digital realm. The result is a powerful compressor with a rich feature set and a very musical soul.
Presswerk was designed to fit into any workflow, no matter what task you throw at it. Presswerk gives you the tools for better sound.
Presswerk in the spotlight…
Hover over the dots 
below to learn about Presswerk’s features
See all features
- Dual channel (stereo) or 2 independent channels
- Compression ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, adjustable linearity and knee, auto-makeup option
- 6 special views for better workflow: Easy, Vocal, Drum, Bus, M/S and Limiter
- Capable of internal sidechaining, with bipolar delay, low cut and high cut filters (6 or 12dB per octave)
- Internal parallel (New York) compression
- M/S mode
- Dual Phase Rotator (DPR) emulates classic broadcast transient option
- Variable detection topologies: Feed-forward, Feed-back or Interactive
- Complete set of response controls: attack, release with adjustable auto-adapt, RMS window time
- Saturation before or after the compressor, with variable warmth and dynamics
- Dry / Wet mix controls with highpass filter, downward expander option
- Global preferences page
- MIDI learn page and editable list
- Resizable UI from 70% to 200%
- Skinnable UI
- Over 120 factory presets for common compression tasks
At the time we released our current plugin versions, Avid could not provide an AAX SDK that would let us build Universal Binary AAX plugins. For this reason, we currently cannot support Pro Tools for Mac. Pro Tools for Windows is still supported.
For the time being, macOS Pro Tools users who are not running the native Silicon version should use the previous versions of our plugins, available from the Release Archive.
We hope to start work on native Silicon AAX support this year, as soon as our tight schedule allows. No ETA can be quoted yet.
Sights and sounds
- Audio Demos
- Videos
- Screenshots
Rock example
Power to Fly --:-- / --:--
Power to Fly is a short demo of a rock song, courtesy of Blacky Schwarz-Ruszczynski, featuring Marian Gold (of Alphaville) on vocals.
Read details about how we used Presswerk.
Drum examples
Whispers Remix --:-- / --:--
We applied various Presswerk presets to the song Whispers Remix by Ebo Element 
. These presets were created to work well on drums.
Listen to the different versions.
Vocal examples
Open Door --:-- / --:--
Here we applied a few vocal oriented Presswerk presets to the song Open Door by Ebo Element .
Listen to the different versions.
CLOSE 
Rock example
Power to Fly was recorded in Logic and mixed in Cubase with 18 instances of Presswerk in total.
Power to Fly (dry) --:-- / --:--
First, the song mixed without Presswerk.
Power to Fly (final) --:-- / --:--
Now, the song mixed with Presswerk.
What was done in the Presswerk version:
- Drum Group (bass drum, snare, high-hat, ambience, overheads, toms): uses the Drum Compressor View. Ratio and Input for compression; Saturation for harmonic overtones; Soft Clip on.
- Bass: uses the Easy Compressor View. Threshold and Ratio for compression; Adjust Response; Soft Clip on
- Guitar: uses the Bus Compressor View. Adjust Attack and Release; Ratio is 4 fix; Soft Clip on
- Vocal: uses the Vocal Compressor View. Adjust Input and Ratio for compression; Enhance to open the voice
- Master: uses the Limiter View. Mode is Balanced; Threshold for limiting; Saturation for harmonic overtones and warmth
CLOSE
Drum examples
Whispers Remix - version 1 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Tailcleaner.
Whispers Remix - version 2 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Subkick.
Whispers Remix - version 3 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Attack.
Whispers Remix - version 4 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Needlework.
Whispers Remix - version 5 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Speaker Blower.
Whispers Remix - version 6 --:-- / --:--
Preset used RC Kick Typewritter.
CLOSE
Vocal examples
Open Door - version 1 --:-- / --:--
Preset used Vintage Vox Compression.
Open Door - version 2 --:-- / --:--
Preset used Vox Comp Warm Airy.
Open Door - version 3 --:-- / --:--
Preset used Fat Compact Vox.
Introduction to Presswerk
Ronan Macdonald provides an introduction to Presswerk (v1.1)
Presswerk launch
A quick video demostrating Presswerk’s features (made for tradeshows)
Presswerk launch
The Presswerk launch announcement video
Presswerk’s main interface
Alternate Presswerk view: Bus compressor
Alternate Presswerk view: Drum compressor
Alternate Presswerk view: Easy compressor
Alternate Presswerk view: Limiter
Alternate Presswerk view: M/S program compressor
Alternate Presswerk view: Vocal compressor
Presswerk’s preset browser
Prefernces and options in Presswerk
Presswerk’s MIDI learn screen for quick controller assignment
Presswerk is a powerful dynamics processor with a musical soul. An easy-to-use interface and a rich feature set give you hands-on control over all details of your sound. Presswerk doesn’t emulate famous compressors, it blends the warmth of classic hardware models with developments that are only possible in the digital domain.
Presswerk has all the features you expect in a compressor…
- Sidechaining: Use ducking to create more space in your mixes, or get creative with keying and pumping effects.
Note: For help on how to get Presswerk sidechained in your DAW, please read these instructions compiled by our KVR forum members. - Adjustable compression curve and envelope: Find the best settings, get the most out of your audio using the soft knee, compression ratio, attack and release and other controls.
- Loud: Oh yes, Presswerk is more than capable of making your tracks louder.
- Soft clip: Roll off those harsh peaks and avoid distortion when output levels get too high.
…plus what we added to enhance Presswerk’s capabilities:
- 6 special views for better workflow: Drum Compressor, Vocal Compressor, M/S Program Compressor, Easy Compressor, Bus Compressor, Limiter (see the screenshots above).
- M/S mode: More detailed stereo signal processing
- Dual Phase Rotator (DPR): applies a radio broadcaster’s trick to reduce unwanted asymmetries in the signal. It smears phases, increases headroom a little and adds bass ‘oomph’.
- Saturation: This is where Presswerk really shines—adding colour and character to your audio. Apply Saturation sparingly for subtle warmth and transient-taming, or crank it up to create tape overdrive-like effects.
- Internal parallel compression: The Mix controls let you blend the compressed and uncompressed signals. This helps preserve some of the original, natural dynamics.
- Variable detection topologies:
- Feed-forward is modern and ‘surgical’, it tracks the input very precisely.
- Feed-back is ‘musical’, loose-sounding and forgiving—like classic hardware.
- Interactive continuously analyzes the signal and blends FF and FB accordingly.
- Adjust and store global preferences
- New MIDI learn controls
Top Product Award 2016
Releasetime
“Presswerk is one of the most comprehensive compressors available.”
4/5
Resident Advisor
December 2014
“30 years have passed since I first used a compressor—but I still learned a few new things playing with Presswerk.”
Marc Mozart
December 2014
“…nul doute que Presswerk trouvera une place de choix dans votre arsenal de traitements audio…”
Audiofanzine
February 2015
Performance Award 2015
Computer Music
Editor’s Choice 2015
Professional Audio
“…a concise and extremely versatile processor that easily rivals emulators many times its price…”
8.6/10
Product London
July 2015
Operation Modes
Dual channel (stereo) or two independent channels
Compression
Compression ratio from 1:1 to 20:1, adjustable linearity and knee, auto-makeup option
Dual Phase Rotator
DPR emulates classic broadcast transient option
Mix
Dry / Wet mix controls with highpass filter, downward expander option.
Detection
Variable detection topologies: Feed-forward, Feed-back or Interactive
Configuration
- Resizable GUI from 70% to 200%
- MIDI learn page and editable list
- Global preferences page
Response
Complete set of response controls: attack, release with adjustable auto-adapt, RMS window time
Saturation
Saturation before or after the compressor, with variable warmth and dynamics
Download the demo and enter your serial number to unlock the full version. The demo version emits crackling sound at irregular intervals.
Presswerk 1.1.5 (revision 12092)
Released August 10, 2021
Release notes
* About Linux: Before purchasing, please be aware the Linux versions of our plug-ins are still considered beta. While the plug-ins are stable, we are not able to provide the same level of support for these products as we do for the macOS and Windows versions. Support is provided via the Linux and u-he communities on our forum .
Requirements
Mac OS X 10.10 or newer
or
Windows 7 or newer
or
Linux
- Host software / DAW
- 1GB RAM, more recommended
- 1000 × 600 or larger display
- 45-110 MB free disk space
- Modern CPU required:
Windows/Linux: Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer
Mac: Intel Nehalem or newer, Apple M1 - Linux: glibc version 2.28 or newer
Formats
Presswerk is not a standalone product, it requires host software. Presswerk is compatible with nearly all DAWs.
macOS:
AUv2, VST2, VST3, 64-bit only
temporarily no AAX (read more)
Windows:
VST2, VST3, AAX*
32-/64-bit
* AAX requires Pro Tools 10.3.7 or later
This product is Native Instruments NKS-ready and compatible with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, registered in Europe and other countries.
User Guides
Downloads for Presswerk
Try the latest builds of Presswerk, which include improvements and bug fixes. Note: these are stable, but still beta versions.
Older Presswerk installers are in our release archive (for legacy systems).
