Antelope Audio BA-6A

Vari-Mu Compressor Plugin


BA-6A follows the original simple, beautiful, and effective design of a 1950s limiting amplifier.

Although the original of this plugin was created for TV and radio broadcasting purposes, it was quickly adopted by many recording engineers because it was easy to use and sounded so great.

Even today, the original not only holds up but is still sought after and used in various pro studio facilities across the globe.


Boasting three-stage amplification with a moderate drive, hard knee, fast attack, and medium release, the BA-6A offers a balanced and vintage sound.

It can help you tame the most aggressive and peaking instruments or the wildest mixes without losing any of the music's punch.

The BA-6A implements a Vari-Mu style valve compression or as it's often called, true tube compression.

In contrast to the later Opto valve compressors, the Vari-Mu designs can offer faster attack, variable release times, and more musical and forgiving compression.

Due to the nature of its circuitry, the BA-6A is known for its high gain and fat yet gritty sound.

This compressor gained its reputation being abused by Jimmy Page and is responsible for much of his huge-sounding guitars.

The original hardware unit had a three-stage amplifier, 9 valves, a rectifier, and a voltage regulator all resulting in a beautiful array of harmonic distortion that we carefully emulated in our BA-6A effect.

The unique character and thickening effect of the BA-6A have become a quick shortcut for "beefing" up snares, kicks, basses, and vocals with even minimal compression.

System Requirements

  • MacOS 10.14 Mojave and above
  • Officially supported up to MacOS 26 Tahoe
  • Windows 10 and above (64-bit only)
  • Intel, AMD, or Apple Silicon CPU
  • 8GB RAM or more
  • 10GB free storage space
  • Free iLok account and iLok License Manager
  • iLok Cloud and iLok USB licensing methods are supported
  • Includes up to 2 machines per license

Plugin Formats

AAX Native, AU, VST3


User Manual
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For detailed instructions on the registration/download process, you can visit our dedicated page by clicking here: Install Instructions.


The Basics

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It has 3 types of activations, iLok USB, iLok Machine, and iLok Cloud.

Different brands/products will offer different iLok methods. iLok USB is always an option, but the availability of iLok Cloud and iLok Machine methods is at the discretion of the software developer.


iLok Account

For all iLok protected products, you will need an iLok account. You can create one for free here: ilok.com/#!registration


iLok License Manager

To manage your iLok licenses, there is a dedicated app called iLok License Manager. This app is used to register, activate, and move your licenses between locations.

You can download the latest installers from the iLok website: ilok.com/#!home


iLok USB Key

iLok USB

This activation is stored on an iLok 2 or 3 USB key.

It is the best option for portability, if you frequently move between multiple machines, and offline use.


iLok Machine ID

Machine ID

This activation is stored locally on your computer.

While this is a convenient way to work offline, and does not require the additional cost of an iLok USB, there is the risk of a license being lost in the case of a drive failure.

This option also requires extra care when you upgrade to a new computer, the license(s) must be deactivated on your old machine first to ensure you do not lose them.


iLok Cloud

iLok Cloud

This activation is based online, and requires a "cloud session" using the iLok License Manager.

It requires an active internet connection for the entire time you use the plugin(s).