Sidechain Compressor Plugin vs FAC Smash
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sidechain Compressor Plugin
This audio plugin enables side-chain compression for music production, creating rhythmic pumping effects. It offers true side-chaining in compatible DAWs and a unique sudo side-chain method for broader compatibility.
- Standard compressor features
- Real calibrated VU and reduction meters
- Real-time visual graphing
- True sidechain in AUM
- Sudo sidechain with MASTER/SLAVE
- 3 available busses
- Mono/Stereo modes
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This is an AUv3 compatible stereo compressor plugin which is intended for use inside your favourite DAW/HOST such as AUM, Cubasis, Auria, Meteor, AUM or GarageBand etc. So lets start by answering the question what is side chaining? Side chaining is a technique used in a lot of modern dance music which involves using the volume level of one sound source to control another. You can hear plenty of examples of this in modern Trance/Dubstep music where sound engineers use the impact of a bass drum to duck a sustained string sound, creating space in the mix. This can be heard as a rythmic pumping sound which gives your music drive and energy. This compressor is quite unique since it was designed to get around the limitations of AUv3 plugins on iOS and the lack of multi-audio routing inside DAW apps. Until recently it wasn't possible to do true side chaining using AUv3, but now AUM has recently integrated support for multiple inputs and outputs per AUv3 plugin, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. This is great for AUM users, but this still leaves users of other DAW's in the dark. This is where this app has you covered as it provides a method of sudo side-chaining by allowing you to attach two instances of this plugin to multiple sources and route audio between them to achieve a sudo sidechain. This works by ensuring two instances of the plugin are loaded as insert effects, one being the MASTER and the other a SLAVE. The slave sends audio to the master by means of one of 3 available busses. True side chaining can be achieved in AUM. Simple set the SideChain Mode to 'Normal' and install an instance of the plugin on the channel you want to control. Then using the new 'Multiple Audio Unit Instances' option in AUM you can add a redirection of the controlling source to send to the same bus the plugin is listening to. It's that simple. In this case you need to set both instances to either Bus 2 or 3, since Bus 1 is the original audio. Features: ○ Standard Compressor features. ○ Real calibrated VU and reduction meters ○ Real-time visual graphing of parameters. ○ Real sidechain in AUM. ○ Sudo side chain using MASTER and SLAVE for others. ○ 3 available busses. ○ Mono / Stereo modes. ○ Integrated help.
FAC Smash
This app offers powerful sound shaping with extreme compression and unique features to refine audio. It provides multi-band processing, a creative noise gate, and parallel compression with a visual waveform display for effortless adjustments.
- Extreme compression with analog nuances
- Unique 'flatten' feature for dynamics
- Multi-band processing with steep filter slopes
- Creative noise gate
- Parallel compression and brickwall limiter
- Waveform display
- Portrait and landscape views
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• Loud, Aggressive, and Powerful Sound Shaping • Extreme compression, capturing vintage analog nuances and colors • Unique 'flatten' feature to preserve character while restoring dynamics • Fast sound refining with impact and sustain controls • Single or multi-band, with filter slopes ranging from 6dB to an impressive 192dB • Creative noise gate: smoothly blend from single to multi-band • Parallel compression and optional master Brickwall limiter • Intuitive workflow for effortless adjustments • Low latency, waveform display of the pre and post signal • Advanced Responsive Design, portrait and landscape views | Light/Dark Theme • Universal Purchase: AUv3 for iOS (iPad/iPhone), macOS and Vision Pro FAC Smash is all about generating explosive energy for your beats and instruments! Squash, squeeze... SMASH your sound, or simply get that magical gentle touch when you seek refinement and finesse. Behind its unconventional and flashy appearance lies a series of boosted upward compressors meticulously designed to include the specific nuances and colors of vintage analog devices. The plugin can operate on either one or three frequency bands and provides a couple of filter slopes ranging from a subtle and transparent 6dB to an impressive 192dB! The workflow is optimized for simplicity and intuitiveness, enabling effortless transitions between subtle adjustments and complete alterations with its up to 120dB of upwards compression. Yes!, FAC Smash can push the sound to its extreme limits, potentially creating a "sausage-like" signal. But fear not — the 'flatten' feature steps in to restore dynamics while preserving the aggressive character, giving you the best of both worlds. The built-in noise gate circuit at the input adds yet another layer of sonic sculpting possibilities. Whether acting on the entire signal or individual frequency bands, this circuit can transform your sound, expanding your creative possibilities. But the magic doesn't stop there; FAC Smash offers parallel compression, an optional master Brickwall limiter, and a waveform view of both the pre and post signal! You'll have a clear visual representation of your audio as you sculpt it to perfection. The documentation is available at fredantoncorvest.com/FAC_Smash.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: FAC Smash at 4.3 against Sidechain Compressor Plugin's 3.8. FAC Smash also leads on update cadence (every 7 months vs every 67 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 63%). Sidechain Compressor Plugin's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($5.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Sidechain Compressor Plugin costs $5.99 and FAC Smash $9.99 up front. FAC Smash sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Sidechain Compressor Plugin asks for nothing beyond the download.
FAC Smash holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Sidechain Compressor Plugin's written reviews are positive against 80% of FAC Smash's.
Sidechain Compressor Plugin ships an update every 67 months, FAC Smash every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sidechain Compressor Plugin | FAC Smash |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 — better | $9.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (6 ratings) | 4.3 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 67 months | Every 7 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 4Pockets.com | Frederic Corvest |
Customer experience
Sidechain Compressor Plugin
FAC Smash
In-app purchases
Sidechain Compressor Plugin
No in-app purchases
FAC Smash
- Small Tip$1.99
- Medium Tip$4.99
- Large Tip$14.99
Questions
Is Sidechain Compressor Plugin free?
Is FAC Smash free?
Which has better reviews, Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Smash?
Do Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Smash have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sidechain Compressor Plugin or FAC Smash?
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