Solid State Logic Bus Comp Classic VCA Compressor (Demo Deal)

Product Description

The Solid State Logic Bus Comp Classic brings the rich, musical character of Solid State Logic’s legendary Bus Compressors to your studio in just one 19-inch rack space. Built around high-performance THAT VCAs, this versatile stereo compressor is perfect for adding “glue” to your mix bus, pumping up a drum stem, or controlling dynamics on any stereo source. Classic controls make dialing in sounds fast and easy, while internal and external side-chain circuits give you even more control over the compression. A variable VCA Drive control takes you from the clean sound of the 9000 Series SuperAnalogue consoles to the gritty harmonic distortion of the original 4000 Series Bus Compressor. Learn more about this rack-mount recreation of the legendary SSL Bus Compressor and bring SSL’s signature sound to your next mix.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE THAT 2181 VCAS

Just like the bus compressors found in vintage SSL consoles, the Bus Comp Classic is built around high-performance THAT 2181 voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) that sense incoming signals and react with precision to control peaks, keep dynamics steady, or pump along to the rhythm. This core component is what gives the SSL Bus Comp Classic its iconic sound, speed, and versatility.

CLASSIC CONTROLS

SSL Bus Compressors aren’t just famous for sounding great, but also for making it easy to sound great. With standard Threshold, Attack, Ratio, Release, and Make-up controls arranged from left to right, the SSL Bus Comp Classic makes it almost effortless to dial in the style of compression you want, from slow and gentle leveling to lightning-fast limiting. The Attack, Ratio, and Release controls are detented for easy recall, while the Threshold and Make-up are continuously variable. To the right of the main controls, the S/C HPF knob lets you exclude frequencies below 30, 60, 105, 125, or 185 Hz from the detector circuit to avoid pumping on bass-heavy sources. Finally, two large backlit buttons make it easy to bypass the sidechain or the compressor itself.

VARIABLE VCA DRIVE CONTROL

The only non-standard control on the SSL Bus Comp Classic is the VCA Drive knob, a continuously variable control that lets you dial in the saturated grit of an overdriven SSL 4000 Series Bus Compressor. In the Out (left) position, you get the clean, crisp sound of SSL’s classic SuperAnalogue consoles like the 9000 K. Turn it to the right and you’ll hear the character of the original FX384 Bus Compressor emerge, slowly adding harmonic richness and bite. From mild saturation to all-out overdrive, the SSL Bus Comp Classic’s versatile VCA Drive control is the secret sauce that makes this compressor stand out from the rest.

STEREO EXTERNAL SIDE-CHAIN INPUT

In addition to the built-in side-chain high-pass filter, the SSL Bus Comp Classic features a stereo external side-chain input that allows you to control the compression with a stereo signal. While plenty of other compressors offer external side-chain inputs, the SSL Bus Comp Classic’s stereo input opens up new creative possibilities. Trigger compression on a drum bus with stereo guitars, carve out space in your mix for two lead vocals, or experiment with stereo synths, reverbs, and more. This handy feature makes the SSL Bus Comp Classic twice as useful as other compressors.

ABOUT SOLID STATE LOGIC

Founded in Oxfordshire, England, in 1969, Solid State Logic has become a household name in studios worldwide and is today considered one of the “Big Three” console brands. From the golden age of analog in the 1970s to the introduction of digital audio in the 1980s, advanced automation systems in the 1990s, and modern hybrid consoles with DAW control, SSL has continued to innovate while never losing sight of its heritage. In particular, SSL’s Bus Compressors are famous for their ability to “glue” a mix together with versatile VCA compression. From the original circuit introduced by the SL 4000 B console to the iconic G Series Bus Compressor and now the SSL Bus Comp Classic, this legendary sound has found a permanent place in music history.