I currently have two bus compressors, the Waves API 2500 and UA Neve 33609, and I'd be nice to have a third option available.

I'm thinking about going with the SSL G Bus Comp or one of it's many clones. I don't have the cash for the UA model and there are so many clones that I'll never have enough time to demo all of them.

I've read good things about the Cytomic The Glue emulating the SSL well, and that it's more transparent than the colored original

I mainly play/mix heavy rock and I'm just looking for some suggestions on what to try. Something that will give me what I'm not getting with the 2500 and 33609.

Thanks.

Try plugin alliance vertigo vsc 2

^^ This for sure ^^

Give DMG Audio's TrackComp a try. Its SSL G-Buss algo sounds right... and pretty damn good.

Cytomic is excellent

In all honesty sometimes we don't want color right?

Get yourself a demo of FabFilter Pro C2..so versatile!

Other than that the Slate Buss Compressors are very cool. Especially their Focusrite emulation.

If you DO want color the Acustica Audio Sand suite has the SSL Buss comp.
It has so much color that it is an instant hit and miss. If it works it's magic and if it doesn't you know in seconds.

Secret Tip: Softube Cl1B

Then TDL Kotelnikov GE is king

i'd give Stillwell Audio Bombarider a listen. it surprises me at times.

Waves Kramer PIE Compressor.

Bombardier is great (try the "2 inch in my Cupboard) preset.

I also love Stillwell's The Rocket on the mixbuss. Excellent presets and tons of them.

A) TimP's L-BUS for Nebula if you want the most accurate SSL ITB. Bit of a learning curve with it though.

B) PA's bx_townhouse if you want to be able to drive a big low end and dirty things up. Which you might :¬)

C) PA's VSC-2 if you want a warm and punchy hifi sound. Amazing for electronic music.

The Glue is great but I'd opt for one of the above - a bit more character. All excellent choices.

That or "glue it up" on mix. Dark & British on the Drum bus for sure. Major Tom or The Rocket on snare.

Could probably have all of those for the cost of Pro-C and cover more ground.

MJUC can cover a lot of ground sonically and it's dirt cheap.

For sure. But for Bus (or final mix) work, DC8C.

They shouldn't be giving away those lighter versions. Even if I did buy the full-featured versions, I doubt I'd dial in anything much better. Their auto attack and release times pretty much nail it. It's like "nope, I think I'm good here."


I would be all over MJUC, but I already have Tuco from Sonimus. And that covers all the ground MJUC does. Including the whole "being awesome" thing.

The glue is sterile. Totally no character. Not what you want from an 'SSL VCA' type comp.

Get slate's VBC (FG-Grey my favourite). I preferred it to all the other SSL bus comps I tried (Sand, IK, N.I Solid, Duende and esp waves!). I'm not saying it sounds exactly like an SSL just that it sounds good and does a good all round job of pulling the mix together and giving it something special. IK would possibly be my next choice, then either Duende or Sand depending on tastes (though I don't really like nebula plugs anywhere near my mixes these days)

Waves are crap. End of story.

Also good if you're into it is softubes Drawmer 1973 (the full comp not the small S73 thing) in M/S mode (important!), this is a real secret weapon that can help add dimension to your mix, really make it 'record like' with a wide wrap around quality. But you can use this in combo with a stereo mix bus comp first.. then some EQ, then a tape/tube sim, then the MB/MS comp, Tape EMU (Slate VTM), then the limiter...

Your opinion... I think it does have character and is quite versatile. And frankly there are time I want transparent compression on the 2 buss.

I do like Slate Red on 2 buss.

There's nothing in the least bit stale or transparent in the way the Glue grabs on to transients. You put it on a mix bus and you hear it working. Assuming, of course, you know what compression sounds like.

It might not impart any fake fizzy digital distortion like a lot of analog models try to do in an attempt to sound "analogy-ie."

But thank God for that.

I'd save for the UAD SSL G Bus Comp.

Yes, last time I checked a public forum is meant to post 'opinions' on.

Barely anything is scientifically black and white, all about instinct and gut feeling.

FTR though, many many people have also echoed my sentiment about 'the glue'. Totally vanilla, no vibe but obviously a good tool and useful to 'do a job'.

Not what I personally look for on my MIX BUS with so many better choices out there.

"I think it does.."

Oh look at that... someone else posted an opinion (you). Funny that.

OP can trust me or not but his loss if he buys 'the glue' thinking it's remotely like 'the ssl' thing other than functionally.

If i want “clean and no color” compression i use my DAWs stock comp. logic in my case.

UAD SSL G Bus Compressor is excellent for this purpose.

It is an excellent complimentary tool for the SSL 4000 Collection too.
If you own either of the two, you get the upgrade price for the other plugin.

I bought the SSL G Comp for $74 during the summer sale.

If you're open to other flavours than the SSL give IK's Dyna-Mu a try. Great on the mix buss - I especially like it on rock (sometimes I put it right after an SSL type with gentle settings to smoothen the sound a bit).

I'm not necessarily seeking out a SSL type bus comp, just a different flavor from the few I already have. Is the IK Dyna-My anything like the Manley Variable Mu? I've read good things about the NI Vari Comp, which is a take on the Manley.

Thanks for the suggestions, now it's demo time.

I need to demo the Slate stuff. A lot of people seem to like them and they have the subscription option, which is huge for me.. I don't have the type of money to be throwing around hundreds of dollars on plugins.

Why soured you on Nebula? I've been toying with the idea of grabbing the N4 when I can put some cash together. The demos aren't really there for the N4, which kinda sucks. I demoed a couple Aqua plugs and really liked 'em.. especially Lime.

Sure, the Dyna-Mu is a Vari-Mu emulation. I don’t know how it compares to the NI version though...

For Rock music mix, I use Acustica TITANIUM 3 Bands.
Recently, I discover W.A sphere comp which is very interesting for master Bus comp.

SSL Duende Bus Comp.

How about the UAD Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor? I've heard great stuff. Are there any other emulations for this one? I'm gonna demo it this weekend along with all your recommendations.

Without UAD Card, you could try the amazing Acustica Aquamarine.

Not sure what u mean by "without uad card," I have one. I've definitely been checking out the Acqua plugs and they are f*cking unreal. So far I've demoed Lime and Pink; both blew my brain.. especially Lime. If memory serves, Aquamarine is the Fairchild 670 emu, ya?