SINGLE-BAND OPTICAL COMPRESSOR

AMATERAS Comp Opto-1

Smooth, even levels. Just two knobs.

Smooth vocals. Solid bass.

Get the smooth, responsive feel of 1960s-style optical compression. Set the compression depth and output level, and let the response follow the performance.

Switch on output transformer saturation for added density and presence.

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Windows / macOS · VST3 / AU · No license activation

AMATERAS Comp Opto-1 showing Vocal Silk, the 2A amplifier, COMP mode, and the central LINK control — Vocal Silk / 2A / COMP — Plugin interface

01 / OPTICAL COMPRESSION

Compression that responds to the performance.

Optical compressors use light and a sensor to control level. The sensor’s response lets the compression recover differently depending on the material.

Sustained loud passages recover more slowly. Short sounds recover faster. That changing response helps vocals and bass feel smooth and controlled.

Comp Opto-1 brings this behaviour into your DAW. Listen for the grip and movement your track needs, without setting attack and release times.

02 / TWO KNOBS

Two knobs. Fewer decisions. More time listening.

Threshold, ratio, attack, release: there is a lot to consider before you hear the result. Here, you choose compression depth and output level. There are no attack or release controls; the response follows the material.

PEAK REDUCTION

Even out vocal and instrument levels.

Turn it up for deeper compression. Listen for a more even performance while keeping the breath, expression, and movement you want.

GAIN

Bring the level back.

Restore the volume lost through compression. Once the dynamics feel right, set the level that fits your mix.

03 / LINK

Judge the compression. Keep levels comparable.

Deeper compression lowers the output. When the levels differ, it is harder to tell whether a setting sounds better or simply louder.

Drag the central LINK “<>” control up or down to move PEAK REDUCTION and GAIN together. Gain rises to compensate as you increase compression, saving you repeated trips between the two knobs.

With smaller level differences, it is easier to hear what matters: how the words settle, how the bass holds together, and how much movement you want to keep.

01
Grab LINK
Place the pointer on the “<>” control in the centre of the panel.
02
Drag vertically
Adjust compression depth and gain in one movement.
03
Listen to the feel
Keep level differences down as you judge how the words and notes sit.

04 / TWO CHARACTERS

Warmth for the voice. Definition for the low end.

Choose a warmer, rounder feel or a firmer, more defined sound. The AMP button switches between tube-style and solid-state-style amplifier characters in the same plugin.

2ATUBE-STYLE

Warm and enveloping.

A warmer, smoother character for vocals and lightly compressed acoustic guitar. Choose it when you want the part to feel rounded and cohesive.

3ASOLID-STATE-STYLE

Firm and focused.

A firmer character with a harder edge. Use it to hold bass and drums together while retaining definition.

05 / OUTPUT TRANSFORMER

Add density. Bring the sound forward.

The levels are controlled, but the track still needs more body and presence. The output transformer stage gives you that extra character, right inside the compressor.

Vintage output transformer on a copper background

The output stage is part of the sound.

In 1960s optical compressors, the compression circuit was only part of what you heard. Large output transformers also shaped the signal, adding density and a more forward feel. Comp Opto-1 includes output transformer saturation to bring that character into your track.

Click to hear the difference.

Click the transformer image inside the plugin to turn the stage on. Saturation adds colour, density and presence to the compressed signal. Switch it off to hear the compression without the transformer stage. You can compare both sounds in the same plugin.

Tuned for the sound. No extra controls.

The transformer stage uses settings chosen for its sound, so there is no extra set of parameters to work through. Use the compression on its own, or add the transformer character. Listen to both and choose what suits the song.

Designed for the full character of vintage optical compression, including the saturation of the output transformer.

06 / IN YOUR MIX

Start with the tracks you already work on.

VOCAL

Steady vocal levels. Keep the expression.

Choose Vocal Silk and AMP 2A. Increase PEAK REDUCTION until the words settle together, listening for the expression you want to retain.

BASS

Consistent notes. Keep the definition.

Start with Bass Glue and 3A. Smooth out note-to-note level differences while keeping the definition and weight of the bass.

DRUM BUS

Help the kit play as one.

Choose Drum Bus and apply light compression. Bring the individual hits together into a more cohesive kit.

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Tame the picking. Keep the performance.

Use 2A with gentle compression to even out picking strength. Listen for a natural balance without losing the player’s expression.

MIX BUS

Gentle control. A little more density.

Use COMP at a shallow setting. If the mix needs more body, turn on TRANSFORMER and compare.

07 / TRY. LISTEN. RETURN.

Try a change. Step back and compare.

Twenty steps of UNDO / REDO.

Move through knob adjustments and preset changes. Revisit an earlier setting, listen, and return to your latest version.

See how the compression moves.

The GR meter shows how much gain is being reduced. Watch the needle’s depth and recovery as you listen to the response.

08 / PRESETS

Six presets, chosen by purpose.

Vocals, bass, drums: choose a name that fits the job. Your transformer setting stays fixed while you try different presets.

Default: Initial settings
Vocal Silk: Smooth vocal dynamics
Bass Glue: Even out bass notes
Drum Bus: Gentle cohesion for the kit
Brick Vocal: Control sudden vocal peaks
Sugarfields: The AMATERAS signature preset

09 / CONTROLS & SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications and compatibility

Controls and functions
Control	Function and range
PEAK REDUCTION	Compression depth: 0–100 (default 50)
GAIN	Output gain: −6 to +20 dB (default 0 dB)
LINK <>	Drag vertically to adjust PEAK REDUCTION and GAIN together
AMP	2A: tube-style / 3A: solid-state-style (default 3A)
MODE	COMP: smooth levelling / LIMIT: stronger peak control (default COMP)
TRANSFORMER	Output transformer saturation, on/off by clicking the image (default off)
UNDO / REDO	20 steps for knob adjustments and preset changes
GR METER	Gain reduction displayed on a VU needle, 0 to −20 dB

Specifications and compatibility
Item	Specification
Product	AMATERAS Comp Opto-1
Formats	VST3 / AU
Windows	Windows 10 or later, 64-bit
macOS	macOS 10.13 or later, Intel / Apple Silicon
Sample rates	44.1 kHz–192 kHz
Latency	59 samples (about 1.2 ms at 48 kHz), compensated by your DAW’s plugin delay compensation
License activation	None. Install and use
Pro Tools / AAX	Not supported
Standalone	Not included
Developer	AMATERAS JAPAN / Cafe au Label, Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan

10 / BEFORE YOU BUY

Before you buy

This version is not code-signed. Your operating system will display a warning during installation.

Windows

When SmartScreen displays a warning, choose “More info”, then “Run anyway”.

macOS 15 (Sequoia) or later

If the installer (.pkg) is blocked, click “Done” to close the warning. Do not choose “Move to Trash”. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway to continue. This option is available for about one hour after the installer is blocked.

macOS 14 or earlier

Right-click the installer (.pkg) and choose “Open” to install.

Code signing and notarization are planned for a future update.

AMATERAS JAPAN / NAGAOKA

Made for music-making. In Nagaoka, Japan.

AMATERAS JAPAN is a small maker in Nagaoka, Japan, with more than 500 audio hardware units shipped, including microphone preamps and microphones. Comp Opto-1 grows out of that hands-on work: straightforward controls and character you can choose by ear, made by people who make music too.

AMATERAS COMP OPTO-1

Smooth the vocal. Keep the bass solid.

Set the compression with two knobs. Add transformer density if the track needs it. Listen, compare, and choose the sound that fits.

Buy on Lemon Squeezy

Windows / macOS · VST3 / AU · No license activation

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