Compressor
Empire Squeeze
Authority without the squeeze.
Empire Squeeze brings movement, cohesion and authority without ironing the life out of a performance. Its responsive VCA character makes bass feel settled rather than restrained—and brings the same assured control to groups and buses.
Design philosophy
Modelled directly from the original hardware
Modelled on a celebrated studio VCA compressor, Empire Squeeze was developed through direct analysis of an original hardware unit. Its gain reduction, soft-knee transition and programme-aware release were tested and refined against the real unit to capture not only its tonal balance, but the fluid way it responds to changing material. The result moves naturally with the performance: subtle when you need polish, assertive when the bass needs to lead.
Optymyse Audio is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any third-party manufacturer. Heritage references describe broad sonic and workflow inspiration only.
Inside the processor
Designed to do the important things beautifully.
Smooth VCA
Confident, musical gain reduction that preserves the shape of the performance.
Soft knee
Progressive compression that enters gracefully instead of grabbing at transients.
Dual release
Programme-aware timing that breathes with changing material.
Artists & producers
In their own words.
“So anyway, I started blasting.”
£19 one-time
Empire Squeeze is on its way. Drop us a line and we'll let you know the moment it ships.
Launching on macOS and Windows and Linux as VST3 and CLAP. Also available from the Darkglass Anagram Marketplace.