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The CFA Sound GRIP Black Friday deal takes 79% off this valve drive compressor plugin from Resonance Sound, bringing it to $7 until Dec 6, 2026.
GRIP is a dynamics processor that pairs a valve-drive stage with a VCA compressor. The maker describes it as compression with character, a hybrid of vintage and modern behaviour in one plugin.
The valve side is an emulation of German vintage tubes from the 1960s. The compressor side is a modern VCA design that the maker calls a workhorse.
You can run GRIP as a vintage-flavoured compressor, with the valve circuit adding warmth and richness. Switch the valve stage out and you get a compressor that stays as clean as possible on the track.
Both core elements have their own mix control. That makes parallel compression, the "New York" approach, a matter of turning one knob on the compressor.
The same mix control also means the valve stage works on its own. The maker suggests using GRIP as a pure drive effect to warm up vocals, add edge to drums or put more heat into basslines.
The valve drive emulation comes in two flavours.
Switching between them changes the harmonic content, so you can dial in a gentle glow or a grittier bite depending on the source.
GRIP comes as AU and VST in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, for macOS and Windows.
On Windows you need Windows XP SP2 or later, an Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz or AMD Athlon 64 (or equivalent), 2 GB RAM, a 1024 × 768 screen and a 32-bit or 64-bit VST host.
On Mac you need macOS 10.6.8 or later (macOS 10.15 Catalina compatible), a Core Duo 2GHz, 2 GB RAM, a 1024 × 768 screen and a 32-bit or 64-bit VST or AU host.
If you run a macOS version later than 10.15 Catalina, the maker recommends trying the trial version first to confirm the plugin runs on your system.
Yes. The CFA Sound GRIP Black Friday deal takes 79% off this valve drive compressor plugin, bringing it to $7. The deal ends Dec 6, 2026.
Triode adds even harmonics and the warmth the maker describes as more musical. Pentode adds more odd harmonics, which makes the sound crunchier. Both are part of the valve drive emulation, so you pick the character that fits the source.
Yes. The valve drive and the compressor each have a mix control, so you can blend the processed signal with the dry one for "New York" style parallel compression. The same controls let you use GRIP purely as a valve drive effect.
GRIP comes as AU and VST in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, for macOS and Windows. Windows needs XP SP2 or later, macOS needs 10.6.8 or later. Both need 2 GB RAM and a 1024 × 768 screen.
Prices and end dates are checked at publishing time and can change, so confirm them at the store before you buy.