Balcony Left - Greg Wells' Signature Compressor Plugin
Capturing 30 years of hit records in software for the debut product of Little Sir Rekko
“I plan on continuing to work with TAP, which says everything. I loved how receptive they were to my ideas, and how patient they were with my extreme specificity. TAP is set up in a unique way, accessing a vast creative talent pool that can create the most world class version of the thing I have in my head.”
Greg Wells
Grammy-winning producer, mixer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Founder, Little Sir Rekko
The Challenge: Standing Out in a Crowded Field
This vintage FET compressor is arguably the most modeled piece of analog gear in the plugin world. Nearly every major plugin company has taken their shot. So when Grammy-winning producer and mix engineer Greg Wells decided to turn his personal unit into software, the question wasn't just whether it could be done…it was whether it could be done in a way that actually mattered.
Greg's compressor wasn't just any unit. Pulled from a church balcony in St. Louis in 1995, this specific piece of hardware had become inseparable from his sound. For nearly three decades, it shaped vocals on The Greatest Showman, added intimacy to Adele's "One and Only," and contributed to records by Twenty One Pilots, Katy Perry, and countless others.
After years of searching for the right partnership, Greg’s wife discovered The Audio Programmer. And from the first conversation, Greg found what had been missing - a team that listened, communicated clearly, and had the technical experience to bring his vision to life alongside him.
01 Discovery:
Understanding What Made This Unit Different
Defining the Project
Through in-depth discovery sessions, we explored what made Greg's specific unit special and what he envisioned for the plugin. The goal was clear from the start: capture the sound and feel Greg had relied on for decades, to the point where even he could no longer reliably tell the difference.
Hardware Analysis
Our DSP team spent extensive time with Greg's hardware, taking detailed measurements and photographs. We discovered timing behavior and transformer saturation characteristics that didn't match any other unit we had measured. These weren't flaws - they were the fingerprint of this specific compressor, quirks that had become part of Greg's sound without him even realizing it.
Initial Prototyping
Before the formal feedback loop began, we developed initial DSP prototypes to validate our modeling approach. The technical challenge was significant: how do you capture not just the measurable characteristics, but the intangible quality that makes engineers reach for a specific piece of gear?
02 Development:
18 Months to "Bulletproof"
The Modeling Approach
What followed was an intensive 18-month collaboration defined by forensic attention to detail. Our approach combined traditional circuit modeling with machine learning - not as alternatives, but as complements. The circuit modeling captured the measurable behavior; the machine learning captured everything the traditional approach couldn't explain.
Relentless Iteration
Greg wasn't a passive client waiting for deliverables - he was an active partner in shaping the product. He tested every build in real mixing sessions, providing detailed feedback through screen recordings and comparison videos. When something didn't sound right on a snare drum, he would send forensic video comparisons showing exactly what needed to change.
UI Design
Greg's vision for the interface was clear from the start: a faithful homage to his specific hardware, including the distinctive markings and character that made it his. Our design team crafted an ultra-realistic interface that balanced authenticity with modern workflow needs -adding features like a mix knob and headroom controls that the original hardware never had.
03 Delivery:
From Plugin to Product Launch
Balcony Left wasn't just a plugin development project - it was a complete product launch under Greg's new brand, Little Sir Rekko.
Plugin Delivery
We delivered final builds in VST3, AU, and AAX formats for both Windows and macOS, with native Apple Silicon support. Internal oversampling with anti-derivative anti-aliasing keeps everything clean even when pushed hard, while optimized DSP means engineers can run dozens of instances without watching their CPU meter.
Brand and E-commerce
We designed and built the Little Sir Rekko website, integrating e-commerce and licensing infrastructure through our partner Moonbase. This gave Greg a complete, professional storefront for his debut product without the complexity of managing payment processing and license delivery himself.
Marketing Production
We sourced and directed the video and photography production that would tell Balcony Left's story - capturing Greg in his studio with the original hardware and creating assets that communicated the plugin's heritage and quality.
Outcome: Validation from the Industry's Best
Balcony Left launched in January 2026 as Little Sir Rekko's flagship product. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with endorsements from some of the world's top mixing and mastering engineers.
Most importantly, Greg himself is overjoyed with the result. After 18 months of rigorous collaboration, we reached the bar he had set from the beginning: he genuinely could not tell the plugin from his hardware.
That's what "bulletproof" looks like.
"I've often said that we don't need more 1176 plugins. I was wrong. Greg Wells' Balcony Left feels different to every 1176 I've ever heard (hardware or software), while still definitely being an 1176. It's awesome to have a different take on something that I've used on pretty much every project I've ever done."
Andrew Scheps
(Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele)
"Here's a good gauge of plugins for me... I know I like a plugin when it's already on a gang of my mixes!"
Josh Gudwin
(Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa)
"All compressors are not created equal. Even ones that are the same model, same vintage, they all have a unique sound. I'm not sure what was going on up on balcony left, but this compressor has a vibe. It excels on vocals, guitars, drums... It really brings some magic."
Joe Chiccarelli
(The Strokes, Morrissey, Weezer, Beck)
What we delivered
- Scoping & Discovery
Defined the project vision and technical requirements through in-depth sessions with Greg.
- Hardware Analysis
Extensive measurements and analysis of Greg's specific unit.
- DSP Development
Hybrid modeling approach combining circuit modeling with machine learning.
- Iterative Prototyping
Dozens of builds refined through Greg's real-world testing and feedback.
- UI Design & Implementation
Ultra-realistic interface faithful to Greg's hardware.
- Cross-Platform Builds
VST3, AU, and AAX for Windows and macOS with Apple Silicon support.
- Website Design & Build
Complete Little Sir Rekko brand presence.
- E-commerce & Licensing
Integrated storefront and license delivery via Moonbase.
- Video & Photo Direction
Sourced and directed marketing production.