Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Safari Pedals The Herd is a triple-engine compressor designed for musical glue, bold character, and controlled chaos. In this video, I take a hands-on look at The Herd compressor plugin and explore how its Opto, VCA, and Devil circuits can be blended together for everything from subtle mix cohesion to aggressive, gritty compression.
The Herd isn’t just another dynamics tool—it’s parallel compression gone wild. With independent compressor engines, flexible blending, and the unpredictable Wild control, this plugin shines on drums, bass, acoustic instruments, and full mixes. Whether you’re chasing smooth opto movement, tight VCA punch, or distorted analog attitude, The Herd delivers fast.
In this demo, I test The Herd on drums, acoustic guitar, and bass, explore presets, push the Wild control, and show how stacking compression engines can completely reshape your sound.
Key Features of Safari Pedals The Herd
* Triple-engine compressor with Opto, VCA, and Devil circuits
* Blend each compressor independently for stacked parallel compression
* Opto for smooth movement and musical leveling
* VCA for punch, grip, and tight dynamic control
* Devil mode for aggressive, gritty, analog-style bite
* Wild control for unstable, high-energy compression effects
* Attack and release controls for shaping punch and recovery
* Tone control to shape highs and lows without losing character
* Wet/dry blend knob for true parallel compression
* Input and output gain sliders for fast, precise gain staging
* Auto gain to maintain consistent output levels
* Switchable metering for input, gain reduction, and output
* Presets for quick inspiration and workflow speed
If you’re looking for a creative compressor plugin that goes beyond clean dynamics and into character territory, The Herd by Safari Pedals is absolutely worth checking out.
LINKS:
Safari Pedals The Herd – gregkocis.com/svcg
Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
50% Off Almost Everything Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
20% off Sound Gym – gregkocis.com/sgym20
The links to Plugin Boutique, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
Watch Next ➤
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU24DT-qGH0wrP1yAou1rDoT&si=ek5NeRtiPZuYYWb2
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU13SMz9PDciPsmbB-uMFXZa&si=LeYW_23B9fX17jfO
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU2WSQda_vyw6JPPXDMTNKk6&si=U_EjPdWpi0HJ3MfN
* https://x.com/gregkocis
* instagram.com/greg.kocis
* threads.com/@greg.kocis
*COOL STUFF*
* LATEST DEALS ➥ gregkocis.com/deals
* FREE Plugins ➥ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU3Mx3NkH6RI1wZcDV-Leqpr&si=ZIsDoVBZ1U0tDj7v
* 240 Mac Apps Set App Invites ➥ youtu.be/vMcBlfj_iMo?si=SNOd1_cYe69qG_A1
* Producing a Song Using ONLY STOCK PLUGINS youtu.be/5_P4xuesHls?si=1BmUQg5jmADxf-zT
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
* INSTAGRAM gregkocis.com/instagram
* TWITTER / X https://x.com/gregkocis
* SOUNDCLOUD gregkocis.com/soundcloud
* Reddit gregkocis.com/reddit
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★☆★ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: ★☆★
This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
Greg Kocis is a New York City-based producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Check out his music channels here:
Stars in June | Americana, Rock & more ➥ youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
Map Of Reality | Electronic & Experimental music ➥ youtube.com/channel/UC69nYsRr4YHomOvm-o_oQiA
⬆️ Music that takes you through multiple dimensions and gets stuck in your head for days
On this YouTube channel, you will find Music, music backing tracks for musicians to jam along with, drum loops, music production tutorials, software demos/reviews, & other music-related things.
#howtomakemusicnow
Safari Pedals The Herd is a triple-engine compressor designed for musical glue, bold character, and controlled chaos. In this video, I take a hands-on look at The Herd compressor plugin and explore how its Opto, VCA, and Devil circuits can be blended together for everything from subtle mix cohesion to aggressive, gritty compression.
The Herd isn’t just another dynamics tool—it’s parallel compression gone wild. With independent compressor engines, flexible blending, and the unpredictable Wild control, this plugin shines on drums, bass, acoustic instruments, and full mixes. Whether you’re chasing smooth opto movement, tight VCA punch, or distorted analog attitude, The Herd delivers fast.
In this demo, I test The Herd on drums, acoustic guitar, and bass, explore presets, push the Wild control, and show how stacking compression engines can completely reshape your sound.
Key Features of Safari Pedals The Herd
* Triple-engine compressor with Opto, VCA, and Devil circuits
* Blend each compressor independently for stacked parallel compression
* Opto for smooth movement and musical leveling
* VCA for punch, grip, and tight dynamic control
* Devil mode for aggressive, gritty, analog-style bite
* Wild control for unstable, high-energy compression effects
* Attack and release controls for shaping punch and recovery
* Tone control to shape highs and lows without losing character
* Wet/dry blend knob for true parallel compression
* Input and output gain sliders for fast, precise gain staging
* Auto gain to maintain consistent output levels
* Switchable metering for input, gain reduction, and output
* Presets for quick inspiration and workflow speed
If you’re looking for a creative compressor plugin that goes beyond clean dynamics and into character territory, The Herd by Safari Pedals is absolutely worth checking out.
LINKS:
Safari Pedals The Herd – gregkocis.com/svcg
Save Big on Waves Plugins – gregkocis.com/pnw2
50% Off Almost Everything Native Instruments LIMITED TIME – nativeinstruments.sjv.io/55P6G2
20% off Sound Gym – gregkocis.com/sgym20
The links to Plugin Boutique, SoundGym, Native Instruments, iZotope, and Waves are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. This helps support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use or believe bring real value to producers and songwriters.
Watch Next ➤
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU24DT-qGH0wrP1yAou1rDoT&si=ek5NeRtiPZuYYWb2
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU13SMz9PDciPsmbB-uMFXZa&si=LeYW_23B9fX17jfO
* youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU2WSQda_vyw6JPPXDMTNKk6&si=U_EjPdWpi0HJ3MfN
* https://x.com/gregkocis
* instagram.com/greg.kocis
* threads.com/@greg.kocis
*COOL STUFF*
* LATEST DEALS ➥ gregkocis.com/deals
* FREE Plugins ➥ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq1fMAPsCTU3Mx3NkH6RI1wZcDV-Leqpr&si=ZIsDoVBZ1U0tDj7v
* 240 Mac Apps Set App Invites ➥ youtu.be/vMcBlfj_iMo?si=SNOd1_cYe69qG_A1
* Producing a Song Using ONLY STOCK PLUGINS youtu.be/5_P4xuesHls?si=1BmUQg5jmADxf-zT
SOCIAL NETWORKS:
* INSTAGRAM gregkocis.com/instagram
* TWITTER / X https://x.com/gregkocis
* SOUNDCLOUD gregkocis.com/soundcloud
* Reddit gregkocis.com/reddit
★☆★ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: ★☆★
This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
★☆★ SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE: ★☆★
This Channel: youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=gregkocis
Greg Kocis is a New York City-based producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Check out his music channels here:
Stars in June | Americana, Rock & more ➥ youtube.com/channel/UCy2ByGdgJb5kQtsXwsIUgAg
Map Of Reality | Electronic & Experimental music ➥ youtube.com/channel/UC69nYsRr4YHomOvm-o_oQiA
⬆️ Music that takes you through multiple dimensions and gets stuck in your head for days
On this YouTube channel, you will find Music, music backing tracks for musicians to jam along with, drum loops, music production tutorials, software demos/reviews, & other music-related things.
#howtomakemusicnow
