Bus Processor by Softube bus compressor and saturator plugin interface

Bus Processor: Bus Compressor and Saturator by Softube

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (286 ratings)

Bus Processor is a bus compressor and saturator plugin by Softube that combines compression, saturation, sidechain, spatialization and stereo widening for processing stem buses and mix buses.

VST3VST2AUAAXRTASWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Bus Processor is a plugin from Softube built for bus processing. Its compressor section is modeled on a classic large-format console bus compressor, and it can run from clean, transparent gain reduction to more colored, musical sound. Beyond compression, it adds saturation with an emphasis filter, a sidechain section for both the compression and saturation circuits, and spatialization tools including an air filter, stereo widening and a mono bass filter. It is intended for routing folders, stem buses and the mix bus.

Best for

Mix bus glue
Stem bus processing
Drum bus compression
Stereo widening
Mono bass control
Saturation on groups

Developer: Softube
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Bus compressor modeled on a classic large-format console design
Saturation with an emphasis filter, settable pre- or post-compression
Sidechain section for both compression and saturation circuits
Spatialization with an air filter for bus processing
Stereo widening and a mono bass filter
Intuitive layout for complex, advanced bus processing
Works on stem buses, routing folders and the mix bus
Available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats

03In depth

Compression, saturation and sidechain on one bus

The compressor section lets you move between ultra-transparent and smooth, rich sound, and the developer says the sidechain section controls how gain reduction behaves, which helps glue a group of sources together while keeping clarity.

The saturation stage includes an emphasis filter and can be set before or after compression. The sidechain section applies to both the compression and saturation circuits, so the two stages can be shaped together rather than separately.

Spatial and bass tools for full bus processing

Beyond dynamics, Bus Processor includes spatialization with an air filter, stereo widening and a mono bass filter. These tools extend the plugin from compression into broader bus treatment, covering stereo image and low-end mono compatibility on a group or mix bus.

Softube positions Bus Processor as a single bus plugin as an alternative to stacking several separate processors on one channel.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Softube
Type	Plugin
Category	Compressor
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Bus Processor support?

Bus Processor is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats. Softube recommends using the VST3 version, since some of its plugins have features not present in the older VST format.

What do I need to run Bus Processor?

You need a Softube account and an iLok account, plus a computer with an AU, VST, VST3 or AAX-compatible DAW. Internet access is required for downloading installers and managing licenses, and the latest iLok License Manager is recommended.

Which operating systems are supported?

Bus Processor supports Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11, as well as macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12 and Ventura 13. Apple silicon is supported natively.

Which DAWs has Softube officially tested Bus Processor in?

Softube officially tests its plugins in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper. Other 64-bit VST, VST3, AU or AAX hosts should work if system requirements are met, but are not regularly tested.