Classic warmth meets modern edge. Brainworx, in collaboration with Shadow Hills Industries, is proud to announce the release of Shadow Hills OptoMax — a bold new optical compressor plugin that reimagines the beloved optical section of the iconic Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.

Built on the success of their official partnership, which brought the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor and Class A plugins into studios worldwide, Brainworx has once again harnessed its industry-leading analog modeling expertise to capture every subtle nuance of the original optical design. This time, they’ve gone even further — creating a tool that pushes past the limits of analog hardware into new, creative territory.

The result? A silky, musical compressor with deep character, versatile coloration, and powerful new modes that let engineers move seamlessly from transparent leveling to bold, aggressive compression.

Shadow Hills OptoMax

Key Features of Shadow Hills OptoMax

  • Expanded Control: Refined ratio and timing options (Slow, Medium, Fast) unlock fresh sonic textures while preserving the signature optical bloom.
  • Push Mode: A limiter-style, ultra-fast timing mode for punchy, modern compression.
  • Signature Transformer Color: Instantly switch between Nickel, Iron, and Steel transformers for three distinct harmonic flavors.
  • Tone Sculpting: A dedicated Tone control adds airy brilliance or smooths harsh top-end with ease.
  • Modern Workflow: Advanced sidechain options (high-pass, bell, listen, external), parallel Mix control, and a resizable GUI keep creativity front and center.

Classic Roots, Modern Muscle

Analog optical compressors are renowned for their smooth, organic character, thanks to their unique light-driven circuits. But they’re also inherently limited by their slower attack and release times. OptoMax changes the game — preserving that unmistakable “bloom without bite” feel while adding the speed, flexibility, and control today’s engineers demand.

Whether you’re mixing vocals, tightening drums, or adding final polish to a master, OptoMax delivers classic optical warmth with a modern twist — making it as comfortable in subtle mastering chains as it is crushing a snare in a heavy mix.

Pricing and Availability

  • MSRP: $150
  • Intro Offer: $69 (through December 24, 2025)
  • Included in: Plugin Alliance MEGA Bundle (at no extra cost)

Learn more and download at: www.plugin-alliance.com