The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor

Here’s the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, one of the most sought after “vintage modern” compressors manufactured today.

Boasting features such as separate optical and discrete compressors that can be used either in stereo or dual-mono, gold-plated and custom-designed stepped attenuators, and switchable output transformers. This unit is completely hand-built in the USA. It sounds as terrific as it looks.

WATCH THE SHADOW HILLS IN ACTION ON OUR VIDEO

Designed meticulously by Peter Reardon (the founder of Shadow Hills Industries) to his own specifications, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is a highly coveted piece of gear that has been used by the likes of Muse, Coldplay, Gnarls Barkley, Regina Spektor, John Mayer, and many more.

Providing a remarkable amount of both dynamic control due to the two compressors, and tonal control due to the three sets of switchable output transformers, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is definitely one of the most powerful and versatile compressors ever built.

LIVE EVENT VIDEO – IN-DEPTH DEMONSTRATION

If you want to try the sound of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor on your music get in touch with us here.

SPECS:

• COMPRESSION TYPE: VCA, Optical
• NOTES: Three switchable output transformers (Nickel, Iron, Steel)
• SOUNDS BEST ON: Everything

OPTICAL COMPRESSOR:

• Ratios: 1.2:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 20:1

DISCRETE COMPRESSOR:

• Ratios: 1.2:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, Past Infinite (“Flood”)
• Attack Times: 0.1 ms, 0.5 ms, 1 ms, 5 ms, 10 ms
• Discrete Recover: 0.1 s, 0.25 s, 0.5 s, 0.8 s, 1.2 s, Dual (optical-style behaviour)

DIMENSIONS: 19 inch, 5RU Depth: 370 mm

Pricing / availability checked and updated January 2026

PRICE (new):

• UK: around £8,500 – £10,000+
• USA: around $9,900 – $10,000
• Europe: around €9,200 – €10,600+ (ex / inc VAT depending on retailer)

PRICE (used):

• UK: none reliably found at time of update
• USA: typically around $8,000 – $9,000+
• Europe: typically around €7,600 – €8,000+

To buy the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor visit KMR Audio.

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