Pro-C 3

FabFilter Pro-C 3 is a high-end compressor plug-in for the most demanding engineers. Compression is one of the most essential tools in modern production — and Pro-C 3 is not just a great-sounding compressor, it’s a superb stereo and surround compressor with all the tricks up its sleeve that you will ever need. Whether you need transparent mastering control, punchy mixbus glue, classic opto warmth, modern upward dynamics or aggressive pumping, Pro-C 3 delivers results with unmistakable style. 

Everything you need
Pro-C 3 features a powerful dynamics engine with 14 total compression styles across Modern, Classic and Utility categories, including six brand new algorithms that expand the plug-in into entirely new creative territory. You also get Character modes with built-in analog saturation, upgraded side-chain EQ filtering based on Pro-Q shapes (including all-pass and brickwall slopes), 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 aggressive settings.

Beautiful interface and optimized workflow
The modern redesigned interface in FabFilter Pro-C 3 is built for speed, insight and precision. The animated level display and optional knee display visualize input, output and gain reduction in real time, helping you dial in compression faster and with more confidence. For distraction-free work, Pro-C 3 can also switch to a Compact layout that hides the large displays and focuses on essential metering, making it feel like a traditional compressor at a glance.

The improved preset browser adds easy searching, tagging, metadata and favorites, and also supports copy/paste of plug-in settings across instances—making professional workflow faster than ever in real sessions. 

FabFilter goodies
Of course, you also get all the usual FabFilter goodies: perfectly tuned knobs, interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample-accurate automation, advanced optimization and much more. 
A professional compressor plug-in with immersive routing options, versatile trigger control, 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