Diode 609 is a versatile diode-bridge compressor that blends 1980s-inspired character with smoothness, using musical compression and in-depth controls to lift individual tracks and whole mixes.

It is modelled on the 33609, first introduced in 1985 and based on circuitry from the legendary 2254 and 2253 compressors found in the iconic British 80-series consoles of the 1970s, which has since been strapped across the mix bus of hit-making studios around the globe. Its unique feedback circuitry generates a distinct harmonic energy that fills the space around the source with creamy thickness and weight; combined with musical, forgiving compression, an independent limiter and a wealth of controls, Diode 609 can shape any source and place it at the front of your mix. On the mix bus it glues your tracks together, and on drums it excels as a parallel compressor. Antelope preserved all the features of the original and added a high-pass filter with a dedicated preview button, a 200 ms recovery setting and a 10:1 ratio.

Features

• Brings any track forward in the mix while preserving its smoothness
• Legendary British console character
• One of the most sought-after parallel compressors for drums
• Independent limiter
• Extras: high-pass filter with preview button, 200 ms recovery and 10:1 ratio

Technical details

• Type: Compressor plug-in (native, no additional hardware needed)
• Operating systems: Windows, macOS
• Plug-in formats: VST3, Audio Unit (macOS only), AAX
• Architecture: 64-bit
• Licensing: Perpetual licence; iLok (iLok Cloud or iLok USB key), internet connection required for activation
• Content: Native plug-in plus real-time version for compatible Synergy Core devices (licence assigned to your Antelope account on code redemption)

System requirements

• macOS 11 Big Sur or later (recommended: macOS 14 Sonoma or later)
• Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit, with the latest Microsoft updates)
• Processor (Mac): Intel or Apple silicon
• Processor (Windows): Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 1st generation or higher
• RAM: 8 GB
• Disk space: 1 GB
• Stable internet connection required for download

The licence is registered with the manufacturer at https://en.antelopeaudio.com/get-started-native/. You will receive your serial number and the download link by e-mail immediately after purchase.