Pro-C 3

High-end compressor plug-in for the most demanding engineers

Compression is a cornerstone of modern music production and Pro-C 3 delivers far more than just excellent sound. It is a refined stereo and surround compressor that brings together all the tools you need in one elegant package. From transparent mastering control and punchy mix-bus glue to classic opto warmth, modern upward compression or bold pumping effects, Pro-C 3 produces results with clarity, power and unmistakable character.

Everything you need

Pro-C 3 is built around a powerful dynamics engine offering 14 compression styles across Modern, Classic and Utility categories. Six brand-new algorithms extend the plug-in into new creative territory. Character modes add built-in analog saturation, while the upgraded side-chain EQ based on Pro-Q shapes includes all-pass and brickwall slopes. Additional features include host-tempo pulse triggering, MIDI triggering, immersive surround processing up to 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos®, and oversampling up to 32x for pristine high-resolution dynamics even under extreme settings.

Beautiful interface and optimized workflow

The redesigned interface of FabFilter Pro-C 3 is built for speed, insight and precision. Animated level meters and an optional knee display visualize input, output and gain reduction in real time, helping you shape compression faster and with greater confidence. For distraction-free work, Pro-C 3 can switch to a Compact layout that hides the large displays and focuses on essential metering, offering a familiar, hardware-style workflow at a glance.

The improved preset browser allows fast searching, tagging, metadata handling and favorites, and supports copying and pasting settings between instances, streamlining professional sessions more than ever.

FabFilter goodies

Pro-C 3 includes all the familiar FabFilter features such as perfectly tuned knobs, interactive MIDI Learn, undo and redo, A/B comparison, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth transitions, sample-accurate automation, extensive interactive help, advanced optimization and more.

A professional compressor plug-in combining immersive routing, flexible triggering, rich character and a modern interface designed for mixing speed and mastering precision.

Features

• 14 compressor styles across Modern, Classic and Utility categories, including six new algorithms in version 3: Versatile, Smooth, Upward, TTM, Op-El and Vari-Mu

• Character modes with analog saturation, coloring and drift, including Tube, Diode and Bright options, with adjustable Drive and Pre/Post routing

• Auto Threshold mode for input level-independent compression behavior (ideal for inconsistent sources like dialog)

• 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

• Full immersive surround/Dolby Atmos® support up to 9.1.6, with customizable linking behavior across stereo pairs and all-channel linking

• Surround linking controls including Center (C) linking and adjustable all-channel groups (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 favorites

• 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

• Pro-Q 4 Instance List integration (from Pro-Q 4.10), controlling Pro-C 3 alongside Pro-G and Pro-DS in one ecosystem

• Animated level display showing incoming/processed audio and gain reduction, with optional knee display for visualizing Threshold/Ratio/Knee/Range behavior

• 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 behavior

• MIDI Learn

• Undo/redo and A/B comparison

• Smart Parameter Interpolation

• Sample-accurate automation of all parameters

• Available in VST, VST3, CLAP, Audio Units, AAX Native and AudioSuite formats

Mac:

• macOS 10.13 or higher
• 64 bit
• intel or Apple Silicon processor

Windows

• Windows 7 or higher
• 64 bit or 32 bit