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Combo Dyn

Analog Warmth.
Precision Compression.
One Plugin.

What Is Combo Dyn?

Combo Dyn is a professional dynamics processor built for audio engineers who need multiple genuinely different compression characters in a single plugin. Each character mode uses a different circuit topology, detector type, and gain element behavior, not just a different preset.

 

It is available in AU, VST3 and AAX formats for Mac, and is suited for music production, film post-production, dialog, foley, ADR, and mastering.

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FOUR CHARACTER MODES

The character modes are the heart of Combo Dyn. Switching between modes changes the fundamental compression topology - how the plugin detects the signal, how it responds over time, and what harmonic character it adds. 

VALVE

Models a tube-based compression circuit. 

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Best for drum buses, mix buses, vocals - any where you want compression to feel musical and effortless. 

FET

Models a transistor-based compression circuit.

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Best for drums, electric guitars, bass, vocals requiring punch and presence - any where you want compression to excite the signal.

OPTO

Models an optical compression circuit.

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Best for vocals, dialog, ADR, acoustic instruments and foley - anything that benefits from smooth, invisible compression.

TRANSPARENT

A mathematically linear feed-forward compressor with no analogue character added. 

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Best for mastering, limiting, and situations where transparency is the primary requirement.

Metering

Vertical LED bar meters on the left (input) and right (output) of the plugin show signal level in dBFS. The meter mode selector in the header switches between:

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  • Peak - tracks the instantaneous peak level with 10ms attack and 300ms release

  • RMS - tracks average program loudness over a 300ms window

  • Peak & RMS - shows both simultaneously. The bar represents RMS level; the peak hold dot shows instantaneous peak. 

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Numeric dBFS readouts below the IN and OUT labels update at 20HZ. Meters decay naturally to silence when audio stops. 

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Gain Reduction Meter

The central Gain Reduction section shows how much compression is being applied in real time, with separate L and R bar meters. A non-linear scale (0 to -20dB) gives more resolution in the typical 0 to -6dB working range. Peak hold lines show the maximum gain reduction reached. The numeric readout shows the average of L and R in dB.

Factory
Presets

Combo Dyn ships with 45 factory presets organized into categories:
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  • Defaults - one starting-point preset per character mode

  • Bus - mix bus and glue compression

  • Vocals - lead vocal, group vocal, vocal air

  • Drums - drum bus, parallel crush, drum smash

  • Instruments - guitar, bass, piano

  • Limiting - gentle and loud limiting configurations

  • Foley - chain rattle, footsteps, cloth, body taps, object drops, rooms

  • ADR-Vocal - whisper through shout, group dialog, speech

  • Podcast - close mic, far mic, soft voice, loud voice

  • Mastering - gentle through strong musical compression, transparent limiting

Formats & Requirements

Platform: macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel.) Windows support planned for future release. 

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Logic Pro, GarageBand, any AU host on Mac

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Ableton Live, Reaper, Cubase, any VST3 host on Mac

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Pro Tools on Mac -

signed by

PACE

Licensing

Combo Dyn uses a simple serial key system.  After purchase, your serial key is displayed on screen and emailed to you. Enter it in the plugin activation dialog on first launch. The license is stored locally - no internet connection is required after activation. No dongle. No third-party account. 

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Price: $49 USD - perpetual license, all formats included. 

News & Updates

June 8, 2026

Shawkstudio releases Combo Dyn

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