SSL G3 MultiBusComp

Solid State Logic have added some new strings to their G‑series compressor’s bow.

How can you improve upon the classic SSL G‑series bus compressor? Lots of developers have taken it upon themselves to provide answers, adding extra features such as additional ratio settings, side‑chain filtering options and wet/dry mix controls. SSL’s own Bus+ hardware unit takes this trend to its logical extreme in hardware; now, their G3 MultiBusComp plug‑in does the same in software.

The Big G

Available for macOS and Windows in all the usual native formats, and authorised using iLok, G3 MultiBusComp is available to buy outright, through a rent‑to‑own scheme or as part of the SSL Complete subscription package. It incorporates all of the above‑mentioned bonus features and more. But, as the name suggests, it isn’t simply a software recreation of the G‑series bus compressor. It’s actually three G‑series compressors, operating separately on the low, mid and high‑frequency bands.

That is, if you choose to set it up like that. Adjacent bands can be ‘linked’, which is a slightly confusing usage; in practice, ‘linking’ the upper and middle bands, for example, simply disables the upper band and its crossover, leaving you with a two‑band compressor. And the crossovers themselves can be set anywhere from 20Hz to 20kHz, so there’s nothing to stop you having two bass bands and a single mid/high band, or vice versa.

Each band naturally has its own time constant, ratio and threshold settings, as well as make‑up gain. To the original 2:1, 4:1 and 10:1 ratios, this plug‑in adds gentler 1.5:1 and intermediate 3:1 and 5:1 options, and wet/dry mix is a per‑band setting, as is the choice of internal or external side‑chain. Each band also has a button with a headphones icon that lets you audition its filtered side‑chain signal. Additionally, you can introduce variable levels of saturation modelled on the original G‑series compressor circuit, again on a per‑band basis.

Visual feedback is likewise presented separately for each band, with...