FabFilter Pro-C 3 Is Finally Here!

The wait is over! Today, FabFilter has officially released Pro-C 3, the highly anticipated successor to one of the industry's most beloved compressor plug-ins.

At Koala Audio, we’ve been huge fans of the Pro-C 2 for years, but this update takes dynamic control to an entirely new level. Whether you are mixing a stereo pop track or working on a full Dolby Atmos® immersive project, Pro-C 3 is packed with features designed to improve your workflow and sonic palette.

Here is a breakdown of what’s new and why you should be excited.

6 New Compression Algorithms

FabFilter hasn’t just tweaked the old algorithms; they’ve added six brand-new styles, bringing the total to fourteen. This makes Pro-C 3 incredibly versatile:

Versatile: A new general-purpose workhorse for any material.
Smooth: Perfect for "gluing" mixes with low ratios and longer release times.
Upward: Applies pumping upward compression (a secret weapon for adding energy without killing transients).
TTM: A unique combination of downward and upward compression across multiple bands.
Vintage Vibes: The new Op-El (optical style) and Vari-Mu styles bring the warmth and richness of classic hardware units directly into your DAW.

Compression with Character

One of the most exciting additions is the new Character panel. While FabFilter is known for its pristine, transparent sound, Pro-C 3 allows you to get dirty. You can now introduce analog saturation with Tube, Diode, and Bright modes. You even have control over Drive amounts and Pre/Post compression routing, allowing for rich harmonic distortion and color.

Immersive & Dolby Atmos® Ready

Modern production demands modern tools. Pro-C 3 now supports all major surround formats up to Dolby Atmos® 9.1.6. The best part? It adapts automatically. The intelligent routing adjusts to your host project's channel format without manual configuration, and stereo linking in surround mode operates independently for each pair.

Workflow Upgrades: EQ, Sync, and Auto-Threshold

FabFilter has integrated features that streamline the mixing process:

Improved Side Chain EQ: Now expanded to 6 bands, utilizing filter shapes from the acclaimed Pro-Q 4.
Host Tempo Triggering: You can now trigger compression based on the host tempo—ideal for rhythmic ducking effects without needing an external sidechain source.
Auto Threshold: A game-changer for dialogue and dynamic vocals, this feature shifts the threshold dynamically to ensure consistent compression levels regardless of input volume changes.

FabFilter Pro-C 3 is available now. It supports Windows and macOS across VST, VST3, Audio Units, AAX, and CLAP formats.