Just wondering who is using what for their audio compression for final output. Hardware, software, favorite model...etc.

On our Lady X Films (www.ladyxfilms.com) series, which recently wrapped, we principally used the IMA 4:1 codec through Cleaner 6. While there are more sophisticated audio codecs, this one produced the most consistent and pleasing results across viewer platforms when working with short pieces from around the world. One reason may be that the IMA codec is technically quite simple and requires relatively little of the viewer's processor.

I am certainly not holding our effort up as a jewel of audio compression expertise. None of us (the series' e.p.'s) are keen audio compression experts. Just offering this in the spirit of your thread.

Not compression for the web, audio compression. I guess I didn't make that clear enough. Dynamics, not bandwidth.
Cleaner is a decent enough tool for bandwidth compression, certainly not the jewel so to speak, that it once was. Too bad Discreet apparently isn't going further with it.

Acht, sorry for the misfire.

I like waves rennaisance compressor.

I don't know much about audio--that is the domain of my audio engineer partner (his day job). All I know is that he hauls a bunch of gear to events, records into Samplitude Pro 7, then imports the edited project into Vegas, we render "audio uncompressed," and that our DVDs sound great. If your curiosity extended beyond those basics, I'd have to ask him!

(Sorry if this was wasted space, but I'm pretty proud of this guy and what he does. :)

There are all kinds of great stereo compressors out there.

Hardware:

SSL X Logic G series is a rackmountable unit that
gives the classic "gee, it sounds like a record now" sound
http://www.solid-state-logic.com/outboard/

AMEK 9098 is one of those delightful boxes where the signal sent into it sounds
much better on output.
http://www.amek.com/

DRAWMER: The 1960 and that series of units are very good.
http://www.drawmer.com/1969.htm

MANLEY: These guys make some tasty stuff
http://www.manleylabs.com/promain99.html#comp

AVALON: Good stuff

PRESONUS: AVOID

Samplitudeand Wave are software and the others look like hardware...any advantage/disadvantage in taking one particular route? The software looks somewhat more accessible to me.

This is part of why I'm asking. Having over 30Kin hardware compressors, and a few grand in software compressors, I'm more or less polling people to see what they're using. I've got my faves in both, but could use a reality check.

I use the built in multiband compressor in my Roland VS-880ex digi multitrack.Mostly for voice over work. Low budget here. Would like a nice Manley - TLA something of that nature$$$$.

I use a DB6Mini-Comp (DBX) when I need hardware (rarely) and the dynamics filter in Sound Forge for most work.

Usually I'm just knocking down the peaks so that I can max the average sound level for commercials. This is after selectively boosting low areas either with manual gain adjustments or with something like their volume maximizer