SSL Fusion Stereo Image stereo width plugin interface by Solid State Logic

SSL Fusion Stereo Image: Mid-Side Stereo Width Plugin by Solid State Logic

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (922 ratings)

SSL Fusion Stereo Image is a stereo width plugin from Solid State Logic, modelled on the mid-side processing circuit of the SSL Fusion hardware processor. It narrows or widens the stereo image with WIDTH and adds frequency-dependent depth with SPACE.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

SSL Fusion Stereo Image is a mixing effect for controlling the stereo field of a track or bus. It is modelled on the mid-side circuit of the SSL Fusion outboard processor and brings that approach into the DAW. The plugin separates a stereo signal into a centre (sum) channel and a side (difference) channel, so you can adjust how wide a mix sounds without changing its centre content. It runs on Windows and macOS in several plugin formats.

Best for

Mix bus stereo width
Narrowing bass elements
Adding stereo depth
Mid-side mixing
Mastering stereo image

Developer: Solid State Logic
Category: Stereo Width
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Models the mid-side circuit of the SSL Fusion hardware processor
WIDTH control to narrow or widen the stereo image
SPACE control for a bass-frequency boost or cut in the side signal
SHUFFLE control for the SPACE circuit cut-off frequency
Polar sample vectorscope for viewing the stereo image
SOLO SIDE for auditioning the stereo component
M/S toggles for mid-side input and output metering
SSL Plug-in Engine with presets, A/B and UNDO/REDO

03In depth

Stereo width and depth controls

The WIDTH control raises or lowers the level of the side signal, which narrows or widens the stereo image. The SPACE control is frequency dependent: it applies a broad boost or cut to bass frequencies in the side signal, based on the stereo shuffling concept that traces back to EMI engineer Alan Blumlein's 1931 invention of modern stereo. The SHUFFLE parameter lets you adjust the frequency cut-off used by the SPACE circuit, which changes where that bass-related depth effect takes hold.

Used together, these controls let you add depth or tighten the low end of a mix while keeping the overall image under control.

Metering, monitoring and workflow

A polar sample vectorscope shows the stereo image of the signal, so you can see how the width changes. SOLO SIDE lets you hear only the stereo component of the signal, which helps when you are judging what the processor is adding or removing. The M/S toggles switch the input and output meters into mid-side mode.

The plugin uses the SSL Plug-in Engine, which provides cross-platform preset management, A/B comparison and built-in UNDO/REDO support. It also includes presets from engineers and producers including Adrian Hall, Alan Moulder, Caesar Edmunds, Charlie Holmes, Michael Brauer, Romesh Dodangoda and Sean Divine.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Solid State Logic
Type	Plugin
Category	Stereo Width
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does SSL Fusion Stereo Image support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats and runs on Windows and macOS. Its system requirements list Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) and macOS 11 Big Sur through macOS 13 Ventura (64-bit only), with M1 Macs supported.

What do I need to authorise SSL Fusion Stereo Image?

A free iLok account is required to authorise the software.

What does the WIDTH control do?

WIDTH increases or decreases the level of the side signal, which narrows or widens the stereo image of the signal.

What is the difference between WIDTH and SPACE?

WIDTH adjusts the overall side level across the signal. SPACE is frequency dependent and applies a broad boost or cut to bass frequencies in the side signal, and SHUFFLE adjusts the cut-off frequency used by that circuit.