Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor

The Waves G-Master Buss Compressor is part of the SSL 4000 Collection. It is a plug-in that can be used inside a DAW. The software is downloaded straight off the Waves website for installation. Authorization with Waves v9 plug-ins can be done with any USB device or over the internet if your computer is online.
There are only a few controls on the compressor, so it is really easy to get started.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The SSL Buss compressor is arguably the best compressor on a mix buss. I have never used the hardware version, so I don't know how accurate the Waves model is to the hardware. This software version definitely can add some analog sounding 'glue' to your mix. I like to set the attack time to '3' or '10' and release time to 'Auto' on a mix. A ratio of '2' or '4' can add plenty of compression, when I drop the threshold to achieve a maximum of 4 dB gain reduction. I have read about engineers that use the SSL Buss compressor for even less gain reduction - around 1 or 2 dB. To me, when a mix is really dense with a lot of instruments, I don't compress it as much. However, if a mix is sparse like a piano and vocal, I compress the mix around 6 - 8 dB of gain reduction prior to limiting. This plug-in sounds much better than a lot of other software compressors that I have tried with higher compressor settings.

OVERALL OPINION

Unless you have access to a SSL console, it is worth looking into a software model of the SSL Buss Compressor. Your mixes with thank you. I haven't tried the Duende or UAD versions of this compressor. I have tried the Native Instruments version, and the Waves version sounds significantly better to my ears. Although this compressor can be used very effectively on a drum bus, or on a submix of guitars or piano, the SSL compressor is best as a mix bus compressor. Your mixes with sound better with some analog 'glue', and this Waves version does a decent good if you are mixing in the box.

This is modeled after the famous SSL 4000 G console buss compressor. For those that don't know, the SSL stuff is some of the most famous gear in the entire industry. They're like the Fender or Gibson of the music gear. This is just the buss compressor section of the G console. It replicates that original IC and VCA gain-reduction amplifier design that was used throughout so many studios back in the day.

I find myself not using this nearly as much as the overall G console. This definitely has a unique sound going on for it, but it seems that there are better compressors out there for what I'm looking to do. I've used it on drums, guitars, bass and vocals with success, however.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Waves plugins are some of the best out there, bar none. For one, they're cross platform. For a Mac user, that means the world. I'm always trying to support companies that support Mac, and Waves has been pretty good about that since the whole Intel switch. I've used these in Logic without any problems. Although they're 32 bit plugins, Logic will add a bridge to allow you to use them in a 64 bit environment as to not limit you to the amount of ram you can utilize. On top of that, these things are rock solid. I've never had a crash with Waves plugins at all.

OVERALL OPINION

If you're looking for just the compressor section of the G channel, this could be what you're looking for. However, I generally use a much more transparent compressor as they tend to be more musical for the type of music I play. This might be a bit better if you're more on the classic rock side, but it's not nearly as versatile as some of today's more modern compressors out there. One thing though -- if you're going to try this out, please be sure to buy it. There is a huge piracy issue with Waves stuff, and if people keep pirating them, they'll drop support.

The Waves Ltd. SSL G-Master Buss Compressor is a plug-in that comes with the Waves Ltd. SSL 4000 Collection of plug-ins, but I believe it's also available on it's own if you only want this individual plug-in (I'm not 100% sure on this). The plug-in is designed after the classic SSL 4000 G console compressor. I wasn't involved with installing the plug-in since I don't own it myself and have only used it at the studio where I'm working. We do have the whole bundle, and I can't say that I've ever heard of any issues with any of the plug-ins at all. As far as the interface is concerned, it couldn't be too much simpler than it is. The parameters available are for threshold, gain make up, attack, release, ratio, and a rate knob which is for use with the 'fade off' button. It also then has buttons for in, and 'analog.' A manual shouldn't be necessary, nor have I seen one.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The system that we run the Waves Ltd. SSL G-Master Buss Compressor and the 4000 collection in general is Pro Tools HD based with a very powerful Mac desk top computer. We generally don't have any problems running plug-ins since it is indeed an HD system, and I can't say that I've personally ever encountered an issue while running this plug-in. If you have an LE system or something similar, it will be a different story and really just depends on the system.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, the Waves Ltd. SSL G-Master Buss Compressor is really a great sounding plug-in. I haven't used the hardware version from the console that this is modeled after, but everyone I've talked to who has says that this and the other plug-ins in the 4000 plug-in collection should pretty damn close to the real thing. I've used this plug-in on drum busses primarily, but have also messed around with it as a mastering compressor for quick jobs. It's perfect for getting a quick and easy sound that cuts through and just generally sounds clean and bright. If you love the SSL compression sound, you can now have it at home in your computer with the Waves Ltd. SSL G-Mater Buss Compressor!