SSL bus compression with one of my plugins?

[ampetrosillo]

I've been specifically asked to use or at least experiment with SSL bus-type compression on one of my projects ( ). I don't have an SSL bus compressor plugin. I see that it is a VCA feedback compressor, and supposedly not the cleanest. I've tried Analog Obsession's freebie, but it sounds a bit weird to me. I have quite a few compressors (both freeware and paid).

This is what I have (I am deliberately excluding specific emulations, eg. LA2A/1176 emulations):

- TDR Molot GE
- TDR Kotelnikov GE
- Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
- Fircomp 2
- plus well, freeware ones.

Kotelnikov is usually my go-to. It glues well, it's clean, it's unobtrusive. It's the perfect bus compressor. It can also add saturation (the yin/yang modes) but it isn't a character compressor by any means. Molot can work as a bus comp but I think it is strictly a peak compressor (is the SSL a peak compressor? Or is the gain computer RMS, ie. integration time 20-30ms?). The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor looks like it could work, but it emulates a very specific kind of gear and I don't know how close I can get. Fircomp 2 does work great in VCA mode, feedback % at 100 (really punchy) but it loses its adaptive release feature in this mode.

Honestly I am not sure what I should be looking for to nail that tone. What I gather to be an SSL bus compression is snappy and "rich" but still smooth.

[ROTMetro]

SSL bus compression is different than what you have. It's very much that 'sounds like a record' sound. Can you just use a trial? If you have Ableton you can use the included Glue compressor. Also if you post the music style, some sound better (or less weird) on different styles.

https://store.solidstatelogic.com/plug- ... mpressor-2
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... essor.html
https://www.acustica-audio.com/shop/products/SAND

If it's not an 'understanding SSL' project but just trying different glue you can also try:
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... _glue.html
https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/trbuscomp/

If you have Native Instruments Komplete you might have Solid Bus Comp. It's an older Softtube written SSL bus comp.

To get the right sound you want ratio 4:1, attack 30, release AUTO. Dial in 1-3db of reduction. That is the old 'sounds like a record' bus compression.

[ampetrosillo]

I use Reaper on Windows. But it can't be that special, I was thinking. After all, it is all about curves and topology. VCA can mean linear curves instead of exponential (it depends on the VCA), auto release is trickier but that can be mimicked with a dual-stage release (with the appropriate values), which I have in both Kotelnikov (which is feedforward technically, but it is very smooth) and Molot (which can be set to a feedback topology).

[ampetrosillo]

By the way the idea is that it should sound somewhat '70s soft rock (it ended up being more modern anyway even with tape sim, old-style processing etc.). I haven't got an excerpt here with me but I can provide one.

[vitocorleone123]

The plugin (I tried many) I can get almost identical to my Audioscape Buscomp G hardware clone is the Softube Buscompressor - but only the 4:1 mode. The 2:1 is reasonably close. The 10:1 not so much.

I’m waiting to see if I can replace the hardware with the Glue v2 when it arrives.

Fwiw

[fcamp]

The VCA side of the Shadow Hills is supposed to be a SSL style bus compresor.

[mothra]

Just wait it out and any day now, either UAD or SSL will have their G Comp on sale for like $20 (If its not already at the moment). Get the UAD if you want a colored 'classsic' G sound, get the SSL if you want a more modern 'cleaner' version of it.

[legendCNCD]

TDR MolotGE has preset "Radiate" which is supposedly like SSL.

[djanthonyw]

I'd say Acustica Sand is the closest option. Here is a shootout that includes a majority of options with a link to wav files.

[billinder33]

I don't care much for Acustica's plugins, but Sand is probably the most authentic sounding SSL buss comp emulation on the market. The UAD and Softtube emulations are maybe a cut below Sand, but pretty authentic sounding as well.

[ampetrosillo]

Apparently the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (which I never use, due to its hideously complicated and user-hostile UI) is half an SSL bus compressor (ie. the discrete side). I'll try that out first.

[_leras]

You should be able to trial the UAD one and see what it's about, and they have good sales.

SSL have fairly regular sales on SSL channel strip and bus compressor.

I haven't tried it but $30 for the plug in alliance bx_townhouse compressor seems a great deal, and it's pretty well regarded.

For soft rock you could also try the Neve 33069 from UAD, may need to blend it in parallel a bit, but it's also a good rock compression.

[zeep]

Analog Obsession, i'm not sure what you tried but Buster SE, ratio 2:1 attack 30, release fastest. Go for a couple db reduction, max 3.

[TechHaus]

https://www.acmt.co.uk/products/downloa ... index.html

Give the ACM520X1 a try for Linux and Windows.

[vitocorleone123]

I'd say Acustica Sand is the closest option. Here is a shootout that includes a majority of options with a link to wav files.

As I posted on GS, this seems to be a comparison not of how accurate the plugins can be, but a comparison of how close they mapped to the original controls. Am I wrong? I can totally accept that I’m wrong….