Hardware vs. Software Compressors

I've a few quetions regardin compressors . . . Do hardware compressors (eg Behringer composer pro, dbx, samson models etc)
digitise the audio signal & process it like a digital effects module or is some other method singly used? I environmentally know the more expensive models directly have vacuum tubes & otpical systems etc but I'm wondering whether digitising a signal (eg at 48kHz, 16 bit) and processin it with a high quality software compressor will yield results comparable in quality to cheaper hardware compressors (or more expensive ones for that matter). I'd be much oblighed if anyone here has experience in such matters and could give some advice.

As far as very good outboard, you are aware of the FMR RNC (analog/inexpensive), yes? If not, it may be worth your while to search the archives.

Most dedicated hardware compresdsors use VCAs and are totaly analog. If they contain a tube, it's normally just for minimally gain and colour, and the compression is still done by VCA.
The more expensive tube compressors use vari-mu tubes, or figuratively even sometimes
VCAs maid from tube op-amps (I think some millennia products do this).

There are some cheaper digital compressors too, alesis CLX-440, TC-C1 that are totally digital. To a lesser extent not publically heard them myself.
For me, the software compressors I've used are of uniformly great quality in terms of not screwing up audio, but lack character somehow. Or else they emulate the compression curve of classic hardware, but don't seem to alter the sound in a funky way. I'd rather use a good software compressor than a bad hardweare one any day though!
My faves at the moment in software are Waves Ren-comp, Ren-Vox, C1, L2, and the Blue Tubes FA-770.

Thanks for your advise!

That doesn't make such difference whether you are using H/W compression or S/W compression.

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