The following article is a condensed version of the user guide. You can learn about more features under the Plugin Interface Overview .

Overview

Renowned in high-end studios around the world, the D.W. Fearn VT-7 is celebrated for its ability to enhance any signal with a subtle, musical touch, or bold tube character when pushed. It’s all Class-A vacuum tube signal path paired with modern Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control delivers unmatched clarity, smoothness, and depth, ideal for everything from delicate mastering to aggressive drum bus compression. Whether you’re chasing subtle gloss or vibrant energy, the VT-7 is a go-to finishing tool for engineers who demand musicality without compromise.

In collaboration with D.W. Fearn, we’ve meticulously modeled every nuance of the VT-7, from its transformer-coupled inputs and outputs to its signature vacuum tube saturation. Utilizing our proprietary component-level modeling, we captured the exact behavior of this legendary unit and enhanced it for today’s modern workflows.

Artists Presets

The plugin includes artist presets from Ari Morris, Bainz, Bob Horn, Brycen10ial, Calin Enache, Cam Becker, Connor H. Carroll, Dan Weller, Daniel Escobar, David Gnozzi, Dom Morley, Ekzakt, Eric Dubowsky, Eric Emery, Fluff, Javon G4000 Gant-Graham, Jeff Braun, Joey Raia, Johnny Morgan, Joseph Chudyk, LaGuil, Maor Appelbaum Mastering, Matt Good, Matt Weiss, Migui Maloles, Mike Avenaim, Nacho Molino, Nathan Salefski, Nicholas Di Lorenzo, Randy Belculfine, Ryan Schwabe, Sage Skofield, Shawn Dealey, Simone Torres, Trevor Wright, and Zachary Racanati. The presets can be accessed through the plugin preset menu.

Global Plugin Features

The top section of every MixWave plugin interface includes a range of global plugin features, detailed in the Mixing Plugin Global Features article . Additionally, it features a preset browser, which is explained in the Plugin Presets and Locations article . Specific global controls are listed below:

1. Mono Link - When engaged (ON), all left and right channel controls are linked together while in Separate mode. Adjusting a parameter on either side will mirror to the opposite channel, making it easier to treat stereo material with identical settings. When disengaged (OFF), the channels remain fully independent in Separate mode, allowing each side to be adjusted differently.

NOTE: In Link and Link HPF modes, channel controls are already mirrored automatically, regardless of the Mono Link setting.

Operational Overview

The D.W. Fearn VT-7 plugin faithfully recreates the sound and workflow of the original VT-7 vacuum tube compressor. Designed to blend the musicality of classic tube designs with modern precision, the VT-7 delivers natural, transparent compression that can range from subtle level control to more pronounced dynamic shaping.

Renowned for its clarity, warmth, and effortless control, the VT-7 enhances mixes by adding loudness, power, and impact while preserving the natural character of the source. Many engineers describe its behavior as if “a great mixer with fast hands on a fader” were riding levels — musical, smooth, and never distracting.

The plugin mirrors the hardware’s flexible stereo options with Separate, Link, and Link HPF modes, while also introducing a plugin-only Mono Link feature that links channel controls together when operating in Separate mode for added convenience.

In practice, moderate settings usually yield the most musical results. While heavy compression is possible, subtle gain reduction often sounds the most natural. Extremely fast Attack and Release settings may add distortion on bass-heavy material; enabling Link HPF helps mitigate this. The Harder/Softer control is best adjusted by ear — think of it as the “feel” knob of the compressor. And finally, simply inserting the VT-7 plugin imparts the warm, harmonically rich character of its all-tube signal path, even before compression is applied.

D.W. Fearn VT-7

1. Threshold - Adjusts the point where compression begins. With the control turned fully counter-clockwise (left), no compression is applied and the VT-7 functions as a straight amplifier. Turning the control clockwise (right) lowers the threshold, increasing the amount of compression. The applied gain reduction can be monitored on the meters (set to GR) or simply by ear.

2. Gain - Provides makeup gain to restore level lost through compression. With no compression and the control fully counter-clockwise (left), output level sits around -3 dB. Up to +15 dB of gain is available as the control is turned clockwise (right).

3. Attack - Sets how quickly the compressor responds when the signal exceeds the threshold. Faster attack times clamp down immediately on peaks, useful for controlling maximum levels (e.g., protecting a digital input from overload). However, very fast settings can introduce distortion, especially on low-frequency material. Slower attack times allow transients (like drum hits) to pass through before compression engages, often resulting in a more natural, punchy sound.

4. Release - Controls how quickly gain reduction relaxes once the signal falls back below the threshold. Fast release times add density and excitement but may increase distortion, particularly in low-frequency material. Slower release times smooth out compression and sound more transparent, though in certain cases can cause “holes” in the audio if loud, percussive sounds dominate.

5. Harder/Softer - Adjusts the shape of the compression curve. Moving toward Harder increases ratio and tightens level control; moving toward Softer reduces ratio and yields gentler compression. This control also alters additional internal parameters beyond ratio, so its effect is best judged by ear. It interacts with Threshold, Attack, and Release, so further fine-tuning is recommended after adjustment.

6. VT-7 Bypass - Engages or disengages the compressor. When bypassed, the plugin passes audio unaffected. The light illuminates when the compressor is active, mirroring the function of the hardware pilot lamp.

7. Meter Switch - Toggles the meter display between VU (output level) and GR (gain reduction).

   • VU - Displays the actual output level, calibrated so “0 VU” equals +4 dBu.

   • GR - Shows the average amount of gain reduction in dB.

8. Link - Controls stereo linking behavior.

   • Separate - Each channel operates independently, with no interaction. This can be used creatively on stereo sources for image-shifting effects.

   • Link - Channels are linked so gain reduction is applied equally, preserving stereo image stability. In this mode, only the left channel’s controls (except Gain) determine behavior.

   • Link HPF - Same as Link, but with a high-pass filter in the detector circuit to reduce sensitivity to low frequencies. Useful for mixes with heavy bass content to avoid pumping and preserve low-end weight.

NOTE:

When operating in Separate, the optional Mono Link mode can be engaged to link left and right channel controls together, making parameter adjustments on one side mirror the other.

In Link or Link HPF, this happens automatically—adjusting either channel’s controls reflects on the opposite side.