HoRNet SyncPressor

HoRNet SyncPressor 1.0.1 is out, the update of our tempo synched bus compressor includes:

• Fixed tempo detection with sample rates higher than 44100
• Fixed external side chain affecting only left channel in Pro Tools when unlink was activated
• Fixed wrong report of oversampling latency
• Added new presets

The update can be downloaded from your user area

A bus compressor that follows your tempo

HoRNet SyncPressor: Smart Compression with Tempo-Based Precision

HoRNet SyncPressor is a powerful dynamics processor developed specifically for master bus compression, designed in collaboration with renowned Italian mixing engineer Antonio Porcelli. Built to deliver the essential “glue” that brings mixes together, SyncPressor offers a level of transparency and musical responsiveness that makes it uniquely suited for final mix processing.

What sets SyncPressor apart from typical compressors is its tempo-synchronized design. Unlike traditional compressors where users adjust attack and release manually through fixed knobs, SyncPressor bases its time constants on the tempo of the track. This approach ensures that compression moves in sync with the music, resulting in a more natural and cohesive sound.

At the heart of SyncPressor is a clever concept: since compression is a dynamic response, its behavior should reflect the rhythm of the audio material. Rather than offering static attack and release parameters, SyncPressor features two dropdown menus where users can select musical time divisions. These divisions—like 1/8, 1/16, or 1/4 notes—are calculated against the plugin’s internal tempo engine.

This internal tempo can be synchronized to the DAW, set manually, or auto-detected directly from the incoming audio. The result is a compressor that always responds musically, regardless of style or tempo. With time constants always aligned to the track’s rhythm, compression never fights against the groove, but flows with it.

While designed for the master bus, SyncPressor is not limited to stereo summing. It performs equally well on individual tracks, offering a suite of classic compression options. These include variable knee control, RMS or peak detection, feedback processing, and external sidechain support. There’s also a high-pass filter available on both internal and external sidechain paths, helping to eliminate low-frequency content from triggering unnecessary compression.

A key feature geared toward mastering and stereo processing is the ability to unlink the left and right channels in the detector circuit. When this mode is active, SyncPressor behaves like a dual mono compressor, applying gain reduction independently to each channel. This technique can significantly enhance stereo width, making mixes feel more open and spacious without introducing unwanted artifacts.

To further improve flexibility, SyncPressor includes a dry/wet mix control, allowing for parallel compression right within the plugin. This is ideal for maintaining dynamic range while still benefiting from the tonal shaping of compression. A tempo multiplier control also allows quick experimentation by doubling or halving the attack and release times, making it easy to explore different rhythmic responses.

Another important aspect of SyncPressor is its performance efficiency. The plugin features a fully hardware-accelerated graphical interface using OpenGL on Windows and Metal on macOS. This offloads graphics processing from the CPU, reserving more power for real-time audio computation. This makes SyncPressor suitable for both large sessions and demanding mastering chains.

Despite its advanced feature set, SyncPressor maintains an intuitive and clean interface. The tempo-related parameters are easy to understand for those with basic musical knowledge, and the remaining controls—threshold, ratio, knee, gain, etc.—are laid out clearly for quick access. The plugin is equally usable in creative mixing scenarios and technical mastering contexts, making it a versatile tool in any engineer’s toolkit.

What makes SyncPressor particularly appealing is its ability to adapt to the music. Instead of forcing the user to guess ideal time settings, it provides musically relevant defaults that can be quickly refined. Whether you’re working on pop, rock, electronic, or cinematic material, the compressor remains aligned with the pulse of your track.

The idea of tempo-based compression is not new, but SyncPressor implements it in a way that is both innovative and practical. By removing the need for arbitrary guesswork and replacing it with musical logic, the plugin accelerates workflow while delivering more consistent results.

The collaborative development with Antonio Porcelli also brings a real-world engineering perspective to the plugin. Features like stereo unlinking, feedback processing, and sidechain filtering reflect practical mixing needs, while the inclusion of creative tools like tempo multipliers and dry/wet blending offer creative flexibility.

Whether you’re a mastering engineer aiming to tighten a final mix, a mixer looking to add cohesion to your drum bus, or a producer experimenting with parallel groove compression, HoRNet SyncPressor provides a powerful, tempo-aware solution that feels both modern and musical.

In short, SyncPressor bridges the gap between traditional compression theory and modern musical application, providing a tool that listens to your track as closely as you do. With its smart timing engine, flexible stereo controls, and efficient performance, it represents a new generation of rhythmically intelligent dynamic processors.

Including bus compressor presets from top Italian engineers