• What Makes The Fairchild Compressor So Legendary In Pro Audio?



    The Fairchild Files: Unpacking the World’s Most Coveted Compressor

    This week, Chris & Jody wind the time machine back and dial in on the Fairchild compressor—the audio hardware unicorn with a legacy as golden as its tone.

    From Abbey Road to iconic soul records, the Fairchild has shaped how we hear vocals, drums, and mixes for decades. But what is it that makes this classic tube beast so desirable? In this episode, the guys break down the origins, functions, quirks, and modern-day clones of the original Fairchild. Who built it? Why does it sound like buttered magic? And why do people still obsess over it?

    You’ll get deep insight into where the Fairchild shines (think: vocals, bass, and bus glue) and how it compares to modern compressors in today’s home studio gear landscape. Whether you’ve drooled over one in a plugin or dreamed of turning real tubes, this is your guided tour of compression royalty—with a few laughs and some Friday Finds to sweeten the signal chain.

    No gate. Just warmth, clarity, and a little bit of Chris & Jody’s signature nonsense.

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    Gear we used:
    Jody’s Mic & Voice Chain: Telefunken C12 – Groove Tubes Vipre – ApolloUA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA Studer A800
    Jody’s Channel Strip: iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

    Chris’ Mic & Voice Chain: Slate ML1 – ApolloUA – Slate VMR (FG12, FG73, API Eq, SSL 4kE) – iZotope RX Voice – DeNoise
    Chris’ Channel Strip: Eventide Precision Time Align – iZotope RX Spectral DeNoise – iZotope RX Mouth DeClick – UA Neve 1073 – UA LA2A – UA 1176E

    Master: Oek Sound Soothe 2iZotope Ozone Imager – iZotope Ozone Maximize.

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    If you want to collaborate, sponsor a podcast, donate, or want us to review your product – contact us at: collaborate@insidetherecordingstudio.com