BLYSS

Name: BLYSS
Price: 99 USD
Author: Kush Audio

by Kush Audio · Channel Strip · Mastering channel (saturation, EQ, compressor)

Not rated yet

BLYSS is a three-stage mastering channel: cascading transformer and op-amp saturation, a gentle six-band EQ and a simple finishing compressor.

Kush says it is meant to make mixes sound "prettier", for $99.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Keys & Synths, Vocals. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: mastering, bus processing, gentle, simple, enhancement, mix bus, op-amp, transformer, full mix, metering, polish, beginner-friendly, lush, minimal controls, mixing, musical, perpetual licence, single knob, smooth, subscription, subtle, vocals, warm.

What it does

BLYSS is Kush Audio's mastering-style channel: a gentle six-band EQ inside six stages of saturation, feeding a deliberately simple finishing compressor. Kush built it to make mix and instrument busses "sound prettier", calling it "an EQ with a vibe".

Saturation: six cascading stages, with modelled input, interstage and output transformers and three discrete op-amp stages, all set from one knob with its own meter.
EQ filters: high- and low-pass filters, each with three switchable frequencies and broad, gentle slopes.
EQ bands: stepped bands with ±9 dB of cut or boost, including a low shelf at 40, 80 or 120 Hz and an upper-mid band at 1.5, 3 or 5 kHz (as described by MusicTech).
Finishing compressor: a threshold control with a fast/slow response switch, makeup gain and gain reduction metering.
Colour: a lush, mellow voicing that Kush says stays rich even when driven hard.
Presets: all presets are included.

A perpetual licence with free updates and support is available. There is a 10-day demo, and it is also part of Kush's subscription to all its plugins.

Source: Kush Audio product page

When to use it

BLYSS is the pick when you want to sweeten a mix or bus quickly with a few broad moves and analog-style saturation, not to fix problems. Compared with Native Channel Strip 2 or Scheps Omni Channel, it has far fewer controls, fixed EQ frequencies and no gate or detailed dynamics, but its EQ and saturation interact in a way MusicTech found realistic. It is gentler than the bx_console SSL 4000 E and more about polish than track-by-track shaping. Unlike Neutron 5, it offers no analysis or assistant, just a few knobs to set by ear.

Best for: polishing mix busses, stems, submixes and instrument groups, and adding warmth in a mastering chain.
Genres: any style.
Look elsewhere if: you need precise, surgical EQ or a full console channel; use a parametric EQ, or SSL Native Channel Strip 2 for complete channel processing.
Tip: use it as a sweetener next to a parametric EQ and a limiter rather than as the only tool on the master (MusicTech).

What producers say

MusicTech rated it a subtle, musical sweetener rather than a complete mixing tool.

MusicTech (Adam Crute, 2021) gave it 8/10, praising the "realistic interaction between EQ and saturation", the gentle EQ curves and smooth compression without pumping.
Criticisms: an oversized interface with no zoom, fixed frequency points that limit precise adjustment, and a saturation meter that seems overly sensitive.

MusicTech review

Where to buy

Kush Audio: $99

Tutorials and reviews

Similar plugins

Edelweiss`72 by Black Rooster Audio · Mixing and mastering channel strip · $79
Pearl 3 by Acustica Audio · EQ, compressor and channel strip · $214.61
NFuse by Kiive Audio · Dual-path hybrid bus processor · $99
P455 MDN Sidecar by Pulsar Modular · Summing and 2-bus chain · $225
Virelia by Mixland · Passive EQ and PWM compressor · $37.99
APEX by Echelon Audio · Master bus chain · $149
Butterfly by HoRNet · EQ, compressor, clipper and limiter chain · $43.14
Water 3 by Acustica Audio · Germanium limiter and EQ
32 Bus by Harrison · Bus processing strip · $149
KONSOL by Analog Obsession · Console emulation · Free

All channel strips & consoles