Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp is a compressor plugin from Softube that models the Empirical Labs Mike-E hardware unit, combining a preamp, a CompSat compression section and a saturator in one signal path.
Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp at a glance
| Developer | Softube |
|---|---|
| Type | Effects / Compressor |
| Formats | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows 10 or later, macOS |
| Apple Silicon | Native |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Copy protection | iLok |
| Hosts named by the developer | Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper, Studio One |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €157.68 |
What Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp does
The developer describes the plugin as a native version of the Empirical Labs Mike-E hardware, with the expert component modelling carried out in close collaboration with Dave Derr. The chain begins with a warm, punchy preamp that offers up to +18 dB of gain and is placed before the CompSat circuitry.
The CompSat section is based on the Distressor and includes a multistage soft-clipping saturator with a Drive control and a Toasty/Warm meter. Ratio presets run from BYP and 1:1 to 2:1, 4:1, 8:1 and NUKE, with attack times of 0.9, 8, 12, 20 and 100 ms and a set of release times in seconds.
The developer presents the NUKE mode as the famous extreme setting of the compressor, and states that the design uses a custom-designed circuit with a huge control range and a longer attack time.
Key features
- Hardware-modelled preamp. A punchy preamp with up to +18 dB of gain sits before the CompSat section and is modelled on the hardware line input.
- Hi-Pass Phase filter. A vintage-style high-pass filter at 18 dB per octave with an 80 Hz setting is included on the input path.
- CompSat compression section. The compressor section is based on the Distressor and provides ratio presets from BYP and 1:1 up to 8:1 and NUKE.
- Multistage soft-clipping saturator. A soft-clipping saturator with a Drive control and a Toasty/Warm meter shapes the signal after compression.
- Three emphasis modes. HF, HF2 and LF emphasis modes boost frequencies before the CompSat circuit and cut them after it.
- Attack and release timing. Attack times of 0.9, 8, 12, 20 and 100 ms and selectable release times set the compressor response.
- Crack, keygen and serial variants. Searches for this plugin pair the name with keygen, serial key and cracked version, and the repack is packed as .rar and .iso builds.
Compatibility
The plugin is offered as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS for Windows 10 and macOS in 64-bit builds, with native Apple Silicon support listed. Activation uses iLok.
Who it is for
The plugin suits mix engineers and sound designers who work in Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper or Studio One and want a hardware-modelled compressor with a preamp and saturator in one unit.
Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp compared with similar plugins
SSL Native X-Comp by Solid State Logic is offered as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS, and is a compressor in the same category.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp | Softube | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €157.68 |
| Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor Compressor | Universal Audio | Compressor | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €40.66 (regular €197.34) |
| SSL Native X-Comp | Solid State Logic | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €9.91 (regular €101.15) |
| VM-COMP | Pulsar Audio | Compressor | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €78.34 (regular €147.76) |
| Tri-Comp Multiband Compressor | Minimal System Group | Compressor | VST2 | Windows | €45.61 |
Price and availability
Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €157.68. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp FAQ
Where can I download Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp crack for free?
The release is shared as a cracked version and a repack, typically in .rar or .iso packaging, through torrent and magnet link channels.
Is there a working serial key or keygen for Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp?
Searches for the plugin pair its name with serial key and keygen, and activation normally goes through iLok.
Does Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp run on Apple Silicon?
Native support for Apple Silicon is listed for the plugin, which is offered as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS for Windows 10 and macOS.
Does Empirical Labs Mike-E Comp require iLok?
Yes. Copy protection is iLok, and the iLok License Manager is needed for activation, which searches tie to the iLok emulator and iLok bypass queries.