SSL LMC+ compressor plugin interface by Solid State Logic

SSL LMC+: Listen Mic Compressor Plugin by Solid State Logic

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (1,004 ratings)

SSL LMC+ is a compressor plugin from Solid State Logic that replicates the Listen Mic Compressor of the SSL 4000E console. It adds external sidechain, variable highpass and lowpass filters, Scoop and Split functions, and a Mix control.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

The LMC+ is based on the compressor in the center section of an SSL 4000E console, the Listen Mic Compressor. Solid State Logic adds modern features taken from its LMC+ 500 Series module, including an external sidechain and variable filters that control which frequencies trigger compression. Fixed attack and release curves are set for ambient drums. The plugin is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.

Best for

Gated-reverb drums
Ambient drum processing
Parallel drum compression
Sidechain-triggered compression
Retro 80s drum sounds

Developer: Solid State Logic
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Replicates the sound of an SSL 4000E console's Listen Mic Compressor
Fixed attack and release curves tailored for ambient drums
External sidechain triggers gain reduction from an external source
Variable highpass and lowpass filters shape the compression trigger
Scoop button phase-inverts the wet signal
Split button activates bandpass-subtraction mode
Mix control for parallel processing
Available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX on Windows and macOS

03In depth

Sound and Character of the Listen Mic Compressor

The LMC+ replicates the sound of the Listen Mic Compressor, the circuit that sits in the 4000E's talkback path to protect against overloads and keep quiet speech intelligible. Solid State Logic notes that this compressor, combined with the console's noise gate, was central to the gated-reverb drum sound of the 1980s.

The attack and release curves are fixed rather than adjustable, and they are tailored for ambient drums. That makes the plugin a focused tool for a specific sound rather than a general-purpose compressor.

Workflow: Sidechain, Filters, Scoop, Split and Mix

The external sidechain lets you trigger gain reduction from another source or signal. Variable highpass and lowpass filters decide which frequencies in the triggering signal cause compression.

Scoop inverts the phase of the wet signal. Split engages a bandpass-subtraction mode. The Mix control blends the processed signal with the dry signal for parallel processing.

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	Compressor
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does SSL LMC+ support?

SSL LMC+ is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS as a 64-bit plugin.

What do I need to run SSL LMC+?

A free iLok account is required to authorize the software. On macOS, the plugin needs macOS 11 Big Sur to macOS 13 Ventura, and on Windows it needs Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only). Both platforms need at least 4 GB of RAM, with 8 GB recommended.

What does the Scoop button do?

Scoop phase-inverts the wet signal. The Split button, by contrast, engages a bandpass-subtraction mode.

Can SSL LMC+ be triggered by an external signal?

Yes. The external sidechain lets you trigger gain reduction with an external source or signal, and the variable highpass and lowpass filters control which frequencies in that trigger cause compression.