This is not absolute law or something, but from pro engineers' tastes ;-)
CLASSIC VOCAL LEVEL CONTROL
- Avalon VT737SP
- Dbx 160-series
- Focusrite Red 3 & Red 7
- Summit TLA100 & DCL200
- Teletronix LA2A & LA3A
- Tube Tech CL1B
- Universal Audio LA2A
VOCAL COLORATION & ENHANCEMENT
- Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor
- Fairchild 660 & 670
- Fairchild-style replicas/variations: Anthony DeMaria ADL670, Analogue Tube AT101, EAR 660, Farman TMC, Manley Vari-mu, Pedulum Audio ES8
- Purple Audio MC76
- Universal Audio 1176 & software 1176LN
- Urei 1176 & 1178
- Valve-based Vari-mu software emulations: Altec 436, Collins 26U1 & 356E1, Federal AM864U, Gates Sta-Level & Level Devil, RCA BA6A, Universal Audio 175 & 176
DRUMS
- API 2500
- Dbx 160X
- Empirical Labs Distressor
- Fairchild 660 & 670
- Neve/EMI TG12413 and re-issues/emulations: Chandler TG1, Zener TG12413, EMI plug-in emulation
- SSL G-series console master compressor and Smart Research C2 emulation
- Urei 1176 & 1178
BASS
- Joemeek SC2
- Urei 1176
- Teletronix LA2A
- Valve compressors from Altec, Fairchild, Gates & Summi
From : Sound On Sound Article