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  • Overview
  • Customer Reviews
  • 4/5
    (113)
Try it Free
$349.00

Get the legendary tube compressor from Capitol Studios.

Capitol Mastering Compressor gives you the rich sound of the CM5511 — a legendary handbuilt tube mastering compressor designed and used by Capitol Studios on historic catalogs and thousands of hit records. Exclusively modeled by UA, now you can get the same professional finishing touch previously only available at Capitol Studios.

Included Version

UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.

UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.

  • Give your tracks the velvet touch of Capitol's handbuilt mastering compressor, the CM5511
  • Get the pro sonics of the same hardware used on catalogs from Capitol, Blue Note, Motown, Verve, and more
  • Easily increase perceived loudness and texture in your productions with Saturator, Mix, and Headroom controls
  • Tighten your low end and expand your stereo width using simple Mono Fold and Mid/Side features

Want to Try It?

Use this plug-in free for 14 days and find out if it's right for you.

Try it free

TAKE A LISTEN

Get the Exclusive Sound of Capitol Mastering

Get the Exclusive Sound of Capitol Mastering

The CM5511 compressor has mastered entire catalogs from Capitol, Motown, Geffen, Blue Note, Def Jam, and dozens more, as well as modern records by Black Sabbath, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez.* Inspired by vintage Fairchild 670 and Gates Sta‑Level tube limiters — and designed for consistent results across Capitol's four mastering rooms — Capitol Mastering Compressor is an exacting emulation of this "spare no expense" hardware, giving you the modern tube-based sound of this custom-made dynamics masterpiece.

Expanded Controls for Complete In‑The‑Box Mastering

Expanded Controls for Complete In‑The‑Box Mastering

Easily tighten low end, add subtle saturation, and tweak the stereo field with easy‑to‑use "plug‑in only" controls. Plus, comprehensive dBFS and LUFS metering and sidechain filter means you have a full-featured, modern mastering tool at your fingertips.

Add Expensive Sound to your Instrument Groups

Add Expensive Sound to your Instrument Groups

Not just for the 2‑bus, Capitol Mastering Compressor will add its tube‑based magic to your drum bus, synths, background vocals, and more, giving you the gorgeous dynamics control only achievable with this one‑of‑a‑kind, hit‑proven hardware.

*Use of artist names does not constitute official endorsement of Capitol Mastering Compressor software.

Customer Reviews

Capitol Mastering Compressor

Overall Rating

4/5
(113)

V. Mina

February 10, 2024

5 Stars for the sound but …

but… Native only, why? Please UA fix this problem for the users like me with tons of cores and Satellite systems.
___
5 Stars for the sound because is really impressive and the compressor adds a 3Dimensionality that no other software adds. The sense of depth is very pleasant just when you put it into the track and the space between L and R immediately becomes well covered and distributed. It's subtle but very nice to hear. I tried on my 2Bus chain instead of the actual comp I put on before. Just a few dBs in parallel mode and WOW.

Saturator is good but if used with care because it can smash everything.


VM
https://linktr.ee/valeriomina

P. Giacalone

February 6, 2024

Fantastic Mastering Compressor

This is a welcome addition to what was a somewhat lacking library of bus comps from UAD. Similar to the Fairchild the gain structure is a little weird in this plugin and very much made for mastering. I find it's most effective in M/S mode, but again you have to dial it in carefully. When you do it sounds great!

C. Howell

February 3, 2024

Ok, you got me.

I was skeptical. I don't know why. Every plugin I've purchased from UAD has been amazing. I picked it up just to see what the hype was really about. After placing it on a drum bus, I hear what everyone is talking about. Then I noticed, I can see what they're talking about too. Peaks from the snare and bass were tamed, and still had their punch and power. I have no idea why other compressors wouldn't achieve this without squashing the transients, but this one did it with ease and musicality. It's turned into a staple of my work flow within a day. Thanks again UAD!

C. Howell

February 3, 2024

Ok, you got me.

I was skeptical. I don't know why. Every plugin I've purchased from UAD has been amazing. I picked it up just to see what the hype was really about. After placing it on a drum bus, I hear what everyone is talking about. Then I noticed, I can see what they're talking about too. Peaks from the snare and bass were tamed, and still had their punch and power. I have no idea why other compressors wouldn't achieve this without squashing the transients, but this one did it with ease and musicality. It's turned into a staple of my work flow within a day. Thanks again UAD!

B. Neely

February 1, 2024

I can’t see anything on all UADX plug-ins

Would be amazing if only I could use the full extent of the program. All the UADX stuff is 25% of the actually plug-in screen

J. Cummins

January 31, 2024

I like !

Very yummy. Truly adds a bit of magic to the mix !

c. maskell

January 30, 2024

Subtle and amazing

Adds some magic that I like.

M. Åberg

January 27, 2024

A new favourite!

I am really pleased with this compressor! I like the Saturation and the Mono Fold functions as well! I use it both on Sub busses and the Mix bus.

N. Cornell

January 24, 2024

Colorful Compressor

I don't use this for its "intended" purpose as a mastering compressor. Instead, I exaggerate the settings then blend it in parallel on individual tracks I want to excite. I really love the results and color it provides.

B. Knapp

January 23, 2024

great satisfaction

I use it for mastering but also for the mix bus
...in short, perfect

P. Bossio

January 22, 2024

Love the Product but....

I love the performance of this compressor however I'm VERY dissatisfied with UAs admin of the products I bought and supposedly own. Most of the time I can't use them because I don't have internet in the area I'm mostly working. Love the plugins but can't use them.

K. Fenton

January 22, 2024

Flavor

If your master is lacking something and you can’t put your finger on it, this unit will give you that something .

J. Telge

January 21, 2024

Fine and subtle refinement

The CMC belongs to the master!
Use headroom control for more compression. 1-3 db is exactly the right amount. If you want more, you should use a different device.
I love this Compressor for exactly this fine and subtle refinement *****

J. McEntire

January 19, 2024

Capitol Mastering Compressor

I did not want to write a bad review for this but personally I feel like this unit just isn’t up to par. Needs revision.

Calibration seems off / finicky in about every way.

You cannot get a decent amount of compression unless slamming the front end and dropping the threshold or lowering the headroom knob and by that time it goes into saturation / distortion pretty heavily.

Every other UA plugin I own is practically flawless and I take no issue with any of them.

If I could request a refund or trade this plugin for another, I gladly would.

Your mileage may vary.

Š. Kominko

January 19, 2024

Zvukovo najlepší mastering kompresor

Vizuálne a zvukovo nádherný mastering kompresor. Najlepší aký vlastním. A verím, že čoskoro UA spravia aj verziu pre UAD-2 PCIe karty a Apollo. Bolo by to veľmi milé pre nás, verných zákazníkov

C. Walton

January 18, 2024

Fantastic Sound!

UA keep doing these crazy deals where you get outstanding plugins at crazy prices! I picked this up in the 2 for $99 deal alongside the Sound City Studios plugin (look at the regular price of either of these) . 8 wanted the Sound City plugin really, but this was an absolute hidden BONUS! It sounds great. Really clear and punchy if needed. It's a new regular on my mix bus and is actually that good...I'd buy it even if it wasn't on sale! Thank you once again UA!!!

J. Jegu

January 15, 2024

Capitol Mastering Compressor

Great new plugin ! and without dsp thanks !

T. Murphy

January 14, 2024

All I need...

Sits on my 2 bus since Christmas . Used in all projects since then. Far more versatile then the VCA's I r been using for years now. This glues so nicely. On the drum bus it's a powerhouse . Worth the get before prices go back up. Keep up the good work UAD.

T. Murphy

January 14, 2024

All I need...

Sits on my 2 bus since Christmas . Used in all projects since then. Far more versatile then the VCA's I r been using for years now. This glues so nicely. On the drum bus it's a powerhouse . Worth the get before prices go back up. Keep up the good work UAD.

D. Acevedo

January 13, 2024

Colorido

Con solo añadirlo, se siente el cambio. Me encanta su color analogico y la presencia que brinda la perilla del saturador.