SSL G-Master Buss Compressor

Name: SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
Price: 34.99 USD
Author: Waves

by Waves · Compressor · VCA bus

vst3s Score 8.9/10 · rated #6 of 10 compressors

Modeled on the center-section compressor of the SSL 4000 G console, the unit engineers call "the glue". A 2:1 or 4:1 ratio, slow attack, auto release and one or two dB of gain reduction pull a loose multitrack together.

Simple controls and a low price make it the default SSL-style bus compressor for many home studios.

Best for: Mix Bus, Drum Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: bus processing, mix bus, glue, VCA, hardware emulation, analog-sounding, full mix, metering, British console, drums, punchy, simple, 80s, classic, drum bus, inspired by, mastering, mixing, piano, single-band, vintage.

What it does

Waves' SSL G-Master Buss Compressor models the centre-section stereo bus compressor of the Solid State Logic 4000 G console: a VCA design meant to "glue" the tracks of a mix into a cohesive whole while adding the console's analog character.

The controls mirror the hardware:

Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release with an Auto setting.
Make-up gain.
An Analog switch for the modelled console noise.
A Fade button with a Rate control for automatic fade-outs.
A needle meter showing gain reduction.

Source: Waves product page

When to use it

This is the classic VCA bus compressor for adding cohesion and punch to a whole mix, usually with just a couple of dB of gain reduction, rather than a tool for shaping individual tracks.

Best for: the mix bus, plus drum and piano buses.
Genres: its simple controls and low price have made it a default mix-bus compressor across electronic, pop and rock production.
Look elsewhere if: you want a parallel mix knob or sidechain filter. SSL-style alternatives such as Cytomic's The Glue offer more flexibility.

What producers say

Users on Thomann (4.8 out of 5 from 71 ratings), Audiofanzine and Sweetwater describe it as analog-sounding glue that "lives on my mix bus" and makes drum buses punchier without smashing the snare.

Typical settings: 2:1 or 4:1, an attack of 3 or 10 ms (some prefer around 30 ms on the mix bus), auto release, and 2–4 dB of gain reduction.
Complaints: a coarse meter and no sidechain high-pass filter.
Caveats: some warn it can over-compress on a master, or that it suits classic rock better than very transparent modern styles.

Where to buy

Plugin Boutique: $34.99 (regular $149)
AudioDeluxe: $34.99 (regular $149)
Thomann: $37
Sweetwater: $39.99
PluginFox: $39.99
Waves: see store (Price changes with Waves' weekly sales)

Tutorials and reviews

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