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If you’re looking for new timbres and the best compression for vocals, drums, bass and mastering, this plugin is a must-have.
Forget the stomach – the way to the heart is thorugh eyes & ears!
Watch this video about the different compression colours and fall in love with the new sound…
The HOFA IQ-Series Comp is the world’s only compressor that can link the gain reduction to the integrated tone control.
This feature allows you to boost the bass frequencies of a vocal in loud sections, for instance or lets you create completely new tones that depend on the gain reduction, e.g. when compressing drums.
We equipped the IQ-Series Comp with the intelligence to achieve perfect results for all possible audio signals.
Whether you’re processing vocals, drums or other instruments, bus channels or the master: the HOFA IQ-Series Comp constantly adjusts relevant settings automatically according to the material. Based on your initial settings, you’ll get the best sounding compression ever.
This detailed video tutorial shows the features of the IQ-Series Comp V2 and gives some valuable tips and tricks.
(In this version, ColourEQ is still called FlavourEQ)
HOFA IQ-Series Comp
Features V2.5.8:
The HOFA IQ-Series Comp V2 is an audio compressor plugin that directly links gain reduction with an integrated ColourEQ. It adaptively adjusts attack, release, and ratio to the input material, making it ideal for vocals, drums, bus, and mastering applications.
The IQ-Series Comp V2 is the world’s only compressor that directly links gain reduction with integrated tone control. This means: The EQ only intervenes when the compressor is active – and to the extent it’s working. For example, you can add extra highs to a snare without permanently brightening hi-hats or cymbals in the track. You can think of it as an equalizer triggered by the compressor’s level reduction.
ColourEQs are EQs with shelving and peak filters that are directly linked to the compressor’s gain reduction. They kick in depending on how much compression you’re applying, shaping the frequency response. Included are Colour presets for the most common use cases (drums, vocals, bus, mastering).
The IQ-Series Comp V2 offers two compression characters:
| Mode | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| CALM | Clean, transparent, sonically neutral | Vocals, Bass, Mastering, Mix Bus |
| ROUGH | More aggressive, transient-rich, full of character | Drums, percussion, “in-your-face” sounds, ’80s British console-bus style |
The IQ-Series Comp V2 is versatile – from individual tracks to mastering. Main applications:
Look-ahead compression looks ahead into the incoming audio signal by building in a small lead time. This allows the compressor to react before a peak even arrives. In IQ-Series Comp V2, look-ahead is controlled via the Attack knob and is used for both compression and the ColourEQ – delivering maximum transient control and punch, especially on drums.
The plugin features two fully parametric EQ bands in the sidechain path that prevent unwanted pumping, for example. Low frequencies (e.g. a kick drum) can be precisely filtered out in the sidechain path for controlled, musical compression – a standard trick in modern mix-bus and mastering workflows.
Yes. With IQ-Series Comp V2 you can work in mono, stereo, dual mono, and M/S (mid/side). In M/S mode, mid and side information can be compressed independently—ideal for mastering, stereo-bus processing, and precise stereo-width control.
For vocals, the CALM Mode is an ideal starting point. Use moderate gain reduction (3–6 dB) and a subtle ColourEQ preset for presence and warmth. Its adaptive timing automatically adjusts to the vocal track. The combination of gain reduction and EQ ensures that loud passages, for example, get additional bass without altering quiet sections.
For drums, the ROUGH mode is often the first choice, as it emphasizes transients and creates a punchy character. The “triggered EQ” effect is particularly effective: When processing the snare track, high frequencies can be added precisely when the snare hits – bleed from hi-hats and cymbals remains completely untouched between hits.
Yes. IQ-Series Comp V2 is a versatile mastering tool that combines, among other things, M/S mode, look-ahead, sidechain filter, an oversampled clipper, and parallel compression. It’s best to start with CALM mode and the mid attack and release times. But even with extreme settings, IQ-Series Comp V2 always adapts musically to the material you’re working on. Reviews describe it as an interesting, versatile alternative to multiband compressors.
With parallel compression (also known as “New York compression”), a heavily compressed signal is blended with the uncompressed original. The result: the original’s transients and liveliness stay intact, while the compressed track adds punch and density. IQ-Series Comp V2 supports parallel compression right in the plugin via the Dry/Wet control—definitely give it a try on drums and vocals!
“The IQ-Series Comp has been my go-to compressor plugin for years, be it for individual signals, groups or the master bus – this guy simply does a fantastic job!
And when it comes to functionality and performance, the guys from HOFA would have deserved their GRAMMY a long time ago.
Thanks for your great work!”
Sebastian Cuthbert
Producer | Singer | Songwriter | Drummer | Guitarist (Michael Patrick Kelly, Andrea Berg)
One of the things I love most about the IQ-Series Comp is that the need for Post-EQ has already been factored into the various compression modes. As a result, it works as a kind of 2-in-1 plugin, allowing me to get the sonic results I want in half the time. Great idea!
Tom McLean
Sound engineer & Guitarist
Thanks to the adaptability of attack, release and ratio, the signal´s dynamics can be reduced without having any pumping effects or affecting the sound at all.
…good results, easy to use, versatile and flexible.
Soundcheck
Though extremely easy to use, the IQ-Series Comp is able to handle the most complex audio material, even when other plugins already had to throw in the towel.
Professional Audio Editors Choice 2012
Using the IQ-Series Comp is really easy. It is an unobtrusively working compressor that – with its possibility of simulaneously tweaking the sound – has the making of a secret weapon.
.. should be standard in many studios.
value for money: „very good – outstanding“ | overall mark: „top of the range – very good“
Professional Audio
With the IQ-Series Comp HOFA achieved a great success again.
At an attractive price, you get a very powerful compressor whose strengths come to play at a variety of applications.
Even drastic processing still sounds “musical”. Its remarkable flexibility makes this intuitive mixing and mastering tool an interesting alternative to multiband compressors.
Evaluation: 6 of 6 points / Editor´s recommendation
Beat
Formats: VST3, AU, AAX
Operating System: macOS 10.13 or later, Windows 10 or later
HOFA plugins are continuously tested on the following DAWs:
Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Avid Pro Tools, Bitwig, Cockos Reaper, Image Line FL Studio, Magix Samplitude/Sequoia, Fender Studio Pro, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab
You have two licenses available. These are managed via the HOFA Plugins Manager, where they can also be deactivated and transferred to other computers.
It is also possible to activate and use HOFA plugins offline. Licenses on USB sticks can be used alongside USB licenses from other plugin manufacturers without any issues.
You can read the detailed manual here:
You will find helpful answers to many questions in our support center:
You can also reach us on weekdays at plugins@hofa.de and +49 7251 3472-444
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