SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor by Universal Audio bus compressor plug-in interface

SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor: Bus Compression Plug-in by Universal Audio

Rated 4.9/5 on Plugin Boutique (9 ratings)

SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor is a bus compressor plug-in from Universal Audio that emulates the SSL G Bus Compressor found in SSL 4000 consoles and the FX G384 rackmount unit. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

The SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor is a modeled version of the SSL G Bus Compressor, built as a UAD Native plug-in that runs without an Apollo interface. Universal Audio says the design captures the circuit behavior of the in-console and FX G384 rackmount units, including their control voltage summing. It is aimed at producers who want to add cohesion and dynamic control to mix buses, groups or individual sources, and it includes the DSP-lite SSL G Bus Compressor Legacy plug-in alongside the new version.

Best for

Mix bus glue
Parallel drum compression
Vocal bus compression
Low-end pumping control
Track fades
Stereo group processing

Developer: Universal Audio
Category: Channel Strips
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

UAD Native version that runs without an Apollo interface
External sidechaining for dynamic control over mixes
Side Chain Filter to reduce low-end pumping
Inline Mix control for parallel dry/wet processing
Headroom control for overall operating level
Fixed SSL-voiced Attack and Release with Auto Release
Continuous Threshold control from subtle glue to heavy compression
Auto Fade with SSL fade taper up to 60 seconds
Includes DSP-lite SSL G Bus Compressor Legacy plug-in
Artist presets from Just Blaze, Peter Mokran and Ian Boxill

03In depth

Sound, Controls and Bus Processing

Universal Audio describes the plug-in as an end-to-end emulation of the SSL G Bus Compressor, with the goal of reproducing its punchy, transparent glue and stereo image. The control set is kept simple. Attack and Release are fixed and voiced for bus use, including a program-dependent Auto Release. The continuous Threshold control moves the compressor from light, barely audible glue to heavy dynamic squeeze, and peak limiting adds more aggressive texture when needed.

The Auto Fade feature, taken from the console units, provides the SSL fade taper for fades of up to 60 seconds.

New Workflow Features for Mixing

The new version adds an internal Side Chain Filter that lets you shape low-frequency response in the detector, which can reduce low-end pumping on a mix bus. The Mix control provides inline dry/wet processing, making quick parallel compression on a drum or vocal bus possible without setting up a separate send. The Headroom control adjusts the plug-in's overall operating level.

External sidechaining is included in the UAD Native version, so it can respond to a separate signal without an Apollo interface.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Universal Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Channel Strip
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does the SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor support?

It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS, with a 64-bit build.

What do I need to use the SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor?

You need a supported DAW compatible with VST3, AU or AAX, an internet connection to download and authorize the plug-in, and a free iLok account. The UA Connect application is used to manage UAD Native plug-ins. An iLok USB key is supported but not required.