The Analog Four is pretty flexible, but I want to protect my equipment and bring out the qualities of the sound through compression.
Is it worth buying a hardware compressor to stick in the recording chain or can I get decent results with software plugins?
Any advice other advice on how to best record the A4 into a DAW would be appreciated.
Unless we’re talking about high end analog compressors (think 1000 or more euro), software is perfectly fine. Many would say even the high end stuff isn’t really any better sounding than the best plugins.
Of course, there might be other reasons to use hardware, such as playing live and having an unreliable computer and/or soundcard. Or maybe just liking to tweak physical, dedicated knobs.
i would suggest trying with software first to see how far that gets you. there’s some nice plugins out there. Elysia Mpressor is a great one.
Lots of interfaces offer DSP powered channel strips that allow you to achieve the same result with improved latency
I opted for a hardware compressor because it’s far more convenient for me to turn an indented knob rather than click through my DAW. I also like to keep my signal path as short as possible
I will not comment on the audio quality comparison because you will have to use your own ears and be the judge 
For recall, automation, and flexibility you can’t go wrong with software… i used some of the focusrite dynamics plugins that came bundled with my scarlett interface and it was useful
If you want something for live tracking then hardware might be a good choice, FMR RNC, chameleon labs 7720, Wa76, or drop some $$$ on 500 series and go nuts.
There’s a ton of great options
Only thing I would consider when going the software route is latency. Although it’s down to almost nothing these days, it’s still there. If you’re making quick, live changes, even a few milliseconds can take the punch out of a kick drum drop. or something similar.
I use a hardware compressor with a sidechain input from the OT. Picked up a DBX for $50 on CL and it works and sounds fine.
I tend not to mix the soft- and hardwares - for the reasons I mentioned above.
I use the Elysia Xpressor. It gives the punch if you don’t want to use a DAW, see an example below what it does with the analog four demonstrated by Nicolas Lem.
Second hand they may not be too Xpensive.
The low latency of software is a huge boon over hardware compressors. Especially with live monitoring/recording.
Since the Analog 4 is well, analog, so far software seems to be able to bring out the warmth. Especially if the overdrive circuit or feedback loop are used.
It sounded amazing just plugged into a pre-amp and routed into my audio interface or on headphones. With some compression it sounds divine. It’s on par with Moogs or DSI synths in terms of sound quality.
It has a sound of its own though. Going from thin and sterile to face melting with the turn of some knobs. The FX unit is a bonus.
Maybe it’s not worth it until I build a rack with other equipment.
Thinking about it though.
Suppose I will have to experiment and learn.
I doubt you will fry anything with the levels from your A4. Nothing is impossible tho, but I doubt it.
If you want to track through a hardware compressor for sound refinement reasons it definitely makes a difference. But you’ll have to drop a lot of money for a really decent compressor to hear a significant difference over plugins.
And of course you won’t be able to use it with Overbridge so you’ll have to record stuff track by track.
Yeah. A decent hardware compressor can get expensive. If I get more serious about doing electronic music it might be worthwhile to build a proper equipment rack.
Plugins will be fine for now.
Check out FMR Audio hardware compressors.
The RNC is rated on Gearslutz and lots of places. Fairly neutral, unless pushed hard and you can use it for sidechaining.
I’ve got both the RNC and RNLA and they are very good.
In the LEM’s video the Xpressor seems to be laid on a MD or MM unit…jeeeez!!! 
come on, its on the dust cover
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]If you’re gonna try out some software compressors I suggest you look at these:
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Cytomic The Glue
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]http://www.cytomic.com/glue
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]Fabfilter Pro-C
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961)]http://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-c-compressor-plug-in
Oh… true…I didn’t see the light reflection…nor the plastic …ehmehm 
Anyway…just to be useful somehow…go for SW compressor…there are so many to pick a choice from.
Then, time by time, try to appreciate an hardware one. I mean, if you have occasion, make first-person trials…and you’ll start to love one instead of another.
And for that one hardware you will start to seek it used/or/new.
anyway…I prefer to do not compress prior to recording. I would buy an HW just for gigs…
the Xpressor sounds quite nice indeed.
P.S.
I have a couple of Aphex 661…such a shame the tube is on the output stage and not at the input…