Decent Master buss compressor Plugin

[frist44]

There's a lot of talk about good analog buss compressors people like to use for glue or whatever you want to call it. Aside from the typical brick wall plug ins used to bring things up to level, is there a vst plug that people are typically using on the master buss to bring out some character or keep things together (ala SSL)?

Brandon

[Legacy]

Hi Brandon,

Its worth looking at the PSP Vintage Warmer. It definitely can add character...when used very gently you can get subtle adjustments to the frequency balance and a bit of "glueing" of the mix all the way on up to full tube-style distortion if you drive it hard enough(!). It is a bit difficult to grasp for a while but the presets are a great starting point. They have some nice tape saturation presets.

Best,
Silas

[CeretoneAudio]

I think you are after the Sonalksis sv-315 compressor, IMHO it is the best bus compresser around (software) it has a fully functional 30 day trial so you can give it a good thrash.

http://www.sonalksis.com/index.php?s...761050f90eaf95

[spherop]

the following all work well - albeit differently - and you might demo them to see what works for you:

sonalksis compressor
kjaerus gc0
voxengo soniformer or polyquasher
uad fairchild
uad pultec - at 0 setting (not for compressor - just tone)

there's probably more to try - but these are all good bets.

[frist44]

I have the UAD stuff and haven't messed with things on the 2 buss very much. I don't have the fairchild plug though, I've read on the UAD forums, that it seems to shy that bass off. I'll check out the Sonalksis demo. I actually have the vintagewarmer and regularly use it on kick. I have this weird thing in my head that a cheaper plug like those would do more damage than help. I should just go back and make a blind test with a couple on the master buss and choose.

Thanks,
Brandon

[BrianBrian]

Sonalksis SV-315 is awesome as a buss compressor. Look for Voxengo products though. Polysquasher is the most transparent sounding bus compressor I have used and the interface is great. For "glue", you should look at Voxengo TapeBus, it really thickens up the bus and makes things sticky. The compression is pretty invisible until you drive it harder.

[frist44]

I tried the vintagewarmer tonight and it worked great. I like the Sonalksis comp but I think it suited better on a compressed drum mult. It was super punchy and helped the drums cut through. I liked increasing the knee until it got a little more saturated. I'll have check out the Tape Buss from Voxengo. I'm definitely looking for something with some color, but maybe I can get the color from the tape buss and use the voxengo polysquasher or something. I like how the vintagewarmer cut some of the drum transients down to help give a more constant level. I guess that's the limiter in multiband mode working. Maybe a little less but that was the ideal behind my post. I'm looking forward to trying out some more stuff.

Thanks for the suggestions,
Brandon

[dharma one]

much overlooked but very nice sounding is tc electronics compressor in their bundle

[alphajerk]

the VW is a nice choice but really get to know what it really does... including the backside of the plugin. once you REALLY learn it, its a great little plugin they made with little or LOTS of character.

[Jam]

Originally posted by dharma one
much overlooked but very nice sounding is tc electronics compressor in their bundle

Not so sure on the buss but a much overlooked plug in IMHO. Great for a adding a bit of attack unfortunately Native Bundle is no longer supported.

Booo TC Boooo

Jam

[BrianBrian]

The UAD-1 compressors also work good for certain tracks. A dB or two of compression from the LA-2A works sometimes, and the Fairchild 670 sounds awesome with 0-1dB of reduction on the right material.

[Teddy Gee]

Originally posted by frist44
I have the UAD stuff and haven't messed with things on the 2 buss very much. I don't have the fairchild plug though, I've read on the UAD forums, that it seems to shy that bass off. I'll check out the Sonalksis demo. I actually have the vintagewarmer and regularly use it on kick. I have this weird thing in my head that a cheaper plug like those would do more damage than help. I should just go back and make a blind test with a couple on the master buss and choose.

Thanks,
Brandon

The Vintage Warmer is great on the mix, and I agree with alpha' that getting to know the thing inside out really helps.......you can do alot of customizing to it. I don't think this is a "cheap" plug-in at all...................I think we have just been conditioned by Waves (not to name names) to think that their ridiculous prices are justified somehow. I've uninstalled all my Waves stuff 'cause I have a whole battery of less expensive stuff that SOUNDS way better. The Fairchild (for a $150 add on to your UAD card, just get it for crisakes) is great on the mix, and used judiciously, I haven't had any problems with it over-squashing bass frequencies. I'm thinking this is what the Fairchild was designed for??

Also, though it isn't a compressor, check out what you can do to "glue" your mix with HydraTone from TriTone Digital. It is a convolution EQ, that also has saturation/drive algorithyms, and a phase adjustment feature. I just got this last week, and it is blowing me away!!! Most musical EQ (though not the least bit "transparent"!) that I have ever heard in software..........and I have Pultec Pro, Equim, PSP Master Q, and a great new built-in Master Works EQ in DP 4.5 (used to have the Waves Ren-EQ too, but........). All great tools, but HydraTone is special, and well worth checking out! It is even "cheap" I guess by Waves standards, but an incredible value for $149!

Stephen

[frist44]

I've been hearing great stuff about the hydratone, but unfortunately I'm on a PC, so it'll be another couple weeks before I can make some use of it.

I'm looking forward to it though.

Brandon

[defjamm]

Originally posted by frist44
I've been hearing great stuff about the hydratone, but unfortunately I'm on a PC, so it'll be another couple weeks before I can make some use of it.

I'm looking forward to it though.

Brandon

hydratone is an eq.

as far as buss-comps, i totally agree with brianbrian. i really love the sonalksis-comp and voxengo analogflux(tape-emu, don't overdo it) for this task.

[elninojesus]

I've also used Vintage Warmer on the mix bus quite a bit and it helps a lot. Now I mostly use it when I have to "master" something. If I use that before an L2 or something it really helps glue the mix together.



MArk

[frist44]

Originally posted by defjamm
hydratone is an eq.

I know it's an eq. I imagine that the added color helps to bring the mix together if it sounds anything like what people are describing it as. I guess I won't know until the PC one comes out, but some eq usually creeps into my faux mastering process for small demos so it would probably help to have a good one for that.

Brandon

[Boogle]

Originally posted by frist44
I've been hearing great stuff about the hydratone, but unfortunately I'm on a PC, so it'll be another couple weeks before I can make some use of it.

I'm looking forward to it though.

Brandon

its available from there website as a beta

tritone

really good plug. found it 'dry' but one of my favs. Q seems to have little neffect on audio.

Try the whong compressor its free and really good (PC).
search kvraudio.com for that one

[six_wax]

amazing. another thread hijacked to hype the tritone stuff. give it a rest, please. we know already.

speaking of DECENT MASTER BUSS COMPRESSION PLUGINS ...

I find that the 'Sony Bus' preset on the Sony Dynamics plug can be good place to start, although it really needs to be dialed back a fair bit. There is a punchiness to that thing that reminds me of the SSL bus comp (but the coloration is not as cool).

PSP VW is very good to me as well, although it seems to impart too much color (imo) for me to really want to put on the 2mix. For of an effect on submixes and choice tracks. I need to spend some more time digging in to it, perhaps.

[007]

I like the VW quite a bit but it's not my choice for adding that "glue" to the mix. I find, if anything, it induces a certain clarity to signals. My favortie use of the VW thus far is on drum OH's or loops and samples for my electronic stuff, makes drumkits just come alive and sparkle. I have all the Sonalksis plugs and while I haven't tried the 315 compressor on the mix buss, the CQ1 and DQ1 sound absolutely lovely, albeit insanely CPU intensive (almost to the point where I just can't use them, a shame).

I've been demoing MCDSP's stuff for a while, I'm digging the AC1 and AC2. If used properly, they can be the ticket, and finally, I do agree that Waves is overpriced, but not too long ago I was trying to believe that all these newer companies were making truly better stuff, and certainly, there's some incredible plugs to choose from these days, but at the end of the day, I still think the Renaissance Compressor and EQ's are as lovely as they've always been. They're so idiot-proof. Slap 'em on and whatever needs fixing, smoothening, enhancing, is done with ease. Try a RenComp on your mix at the mastering stage, prior to limiting, dunno, but it sounds just beautiful on my stuff.

[CeretoneAudio]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by krou
[B] I haven't tried the 315 compressor on the mix buss, the CQ1 and DQ1 sound absolutely lovely, albeit insanely CPU intensive (almost to the point where I just can't use them, a shame).

Thats is surprising to me, What sort of ststem are you running? I have a P4 3.2 1 gig RAM and can run shit loads of the Sonalksis plugs (about 60). I definately would not say they are in any way processor hungry.

[007]

Powerbook G4 1.25ghz
1GB RAM
OSX.3.8
ProTools 6.7

Yeah, I can do a few of the SV eq's and comps, but not the newer CQ1 and DQ1, those bastards put a stranglehold on the whole operation. Wow, about 60 Sonalksis plugs in a session? You must have the most kick-ass pc. You'd be surprised to know that while to you they seem pretty efficient, they are notorious for being CPU hungry over on the PC side.

Well, there you have it, a few words shy of embarking on a mac/pc discussion, but we are better than that and we'll move this along....

[audiojack]

Cytomic: The Glue

[Beyersound]

Originally Posted by audiojack

Cytomic: The Glue

Exactly! The most underrated buss comp plugin out there. I have, or have tried pretty much all of the others, but The Glue just plain kicks ass! PSP Old Timer is excellent as well.

[Suda Badri]

Originally Posted by audiojack

Cytomic: The Glue

Thats an awesome first post! This plug... its rediculous, the presets are so good it makes me feel inadequate...

[everythinglouder]

I wholeheartedly agree the The Glue is the best native master bus compressor plug-in. It comes so damn close to the behavior of an SSL 4K compressor, with the added features of sidechain filter and peak-clip.

However, (statement: not a fanboy) I'd say that in the whole realm of plug-ins, the UAD FATSO Sr is the best master bus compressor plug-in. It's the deepest, most parameter-interacting, material-dependent plug-in on the planet. It's just straight-up difficult. But once you really learn its strengths, its full set of features (including the all important "Sr." extension) and how to balance the input-level-dependent flavor with the tranny amount and warmth settings, it (in my estimation) blows any other buss plug-in compressor out of the water.

I'm a UAD liker. Not lover. I think some of their plugs are whack. But the FATSO is amazing.

[dickiefunk]

I'm really liking Stillwells Bombardier.

I also really like IK Fairchild 670 and The Glue.

I heard PSP's Vintage Warmer at another studio and they love it and Stillwells Bombardier.

[diogo_c]

Originally Posted by dharma one

much overlooked but very nice sounding is tc electronics compressor in their bundle

Indeed.....a friend of mine just rediscovered this plug awhile ago and I've been using it quite often - not exactly my go-to on the master bus but very very very useful. Not only the compressor, but the entire bundle.

On topic = The Glue and Waves API2500 are my go-to right now.

[dr_Jezz]

Originally Posted by frist44

There's a lot of talk about good analog buss compressors people like to use for glue or whatever you want to call it. Aside from the typical brick wall plug ins used to bring things up to level, is there a vst plug that people are typically using on the master buss to bring out some character or keep things together (ala SSL)?

Brandon

There you go frist44, 5 years later and this board doesn't give up on bringing you the lowdown! you still here?

[dullfangs]

Lol

Yeah Frist44, did you finds a good bus comp yet???

[phas3d]

UAD Fatso. Just a great plug. So much control on saturation...