Free character compressor
XTMax brings character compression into a focused free plugin, with attack and release choices that let you shape how it moves with your music. Keep more of the initial impact, bring up compressed sustain or blend a heavier setting alongside the dry signal. Knee adjustment, sidechain filtering and Auto Gain give you more control while the main decisions stay within reach.
Built for your music
XTMax gives you a direct way to develop drums, bass and other instruments through compression. Use the input to bring the processing in, choose its timing and adjust the knee around the response you want. It can become a prominent part of the treatment or a layer blended with the dry signal.
Hear XTMax
Slow, medium and fast settings are available for both attack and release. Let more of the initial hit through with a slower attack, or choose a faster response when you want stronger control at the start. Adjust the release around how the compression recovers through the phrase, giving you another way to shape the movement alongside the amount of gain reduction.
The Mix control lets you combine compressed and unprocessed audio inside XTMax. Try a heavier setting to bring up sustain and room detail, then blend in the amount that fits your music. You can hear that stronger response alongside the original attack without setting up a separate parallel channel.
XTMax
The Knee control moves between harder and softer responses, giving you another way to adjust how gain reduction begins. Use it alongside the timing choices to develop the feel of the compression. Auto Gain helps with level compensation, while Output remains available to refine the balance as you compare settings.
The sidechain filter reduces low frequencies’ influence on the compression detector. When a kick or bass note is steering the response more than you want, adjust the filtering without using it as an audio-path bass cut. You can shape the compressor’s reaction while retaining those frequencies in your recording.
The XTMax was developed by Kiive Audio using its own modeling techniques, and one of the products studied was the DISTRESSOR by Empirical Labs which is not affiliated with Kiive Audio.
Empirical Labs has not licensed any intellectual property for use in the XTMax, nor has it endorsed or supported the XTMax in any manner.
A few useful answers
No. XTMax is a full free plugin. Get your free license and use the complete compressor.
Yes. Each offers slow, medium and fast settings.
Yes. Mix blends the compressed and dry signal inside the plugin.
It adjusts the transition into compression between harder and softer responses.
No. It changes the low end’s influence on compression detection.
Auto Gain provides gain compensation. Use Output to refine the comparison; it is not presented as a measurement-based loudness match.
VST3 and AAX on Mac and Windows, plus AU on Mac. Native Apple Silicon support is included. See the current system requirements for your setup.
Yes. Updates are free for life.
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