Webzine article – Universal Audio UAD POWERED PLUG-INS ver.6.1 User Manual
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UAD Powered Plug-Ins Manual
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Chapter 54: SSL G Bus Compressor
gree, and the “Auto” setting provides a program-dependent, multi-stage re-
lease for the greatest degree of transparency. Use the 2:1 for the most
transparent sound and 10:1 for tougher, more audible sound, or 4:1 for in
between. Usually, this processor is meant to be used with minimal gain reduc-
tion. In most cases, setting the threshold for 1-2 dB average gain reduction is
most common, with occasional transients that go beyond the average. In qui-
eter passages little or no meter movement will occur. Use make up gain to get
a good gain match between active and bypassed.
Traditionally, the SSL G is most commonly used from the beginning of the mix
process, and the engineer is “mixing to” the sound and behavior of the com-
pressor. The ideal way to audition this plugin is on a new mix, dropped into
an insert on your stereo master fader. In this case, you will be spending a lot
of time keeping an eye on gain reduction metering and you may make tweaks
to the setup as the mix progresses. Of course it can also be dropped in exist-
ing mixes at any time, but keep in mind it may take a bit more effort to dial
in, especially if your ear is already used to the sound without its compression
properties.
The SSL G is also useful of groups, such as drum busses. in this case, a more
aggressive approach may be appropriate, with a greater range of gain re-
duction. 10:1 will give a harder sound often desired for drum groups. Fast at-
tacks releases will give the most audible sound of the compressor working.
Finally Auto Fade is useful when the end of a song needs a gradual decrease
in volume. The speed of the fade can be tuned from 1 to 60 seconds, and in-
corporates SSL's unique fade curves. fade in is also available.
WebZine Article
An interesting article about the SSL G Series Bus Compressor can be found in
the “Ask The Doctors” section of the Universal Audio April 2009 Webzine:
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