If you missed the first part of this new series then to reiterate.
In this new series I'm going to share the plug-ins I JUST LOVE. Some of them are going to be popular, some not so. Some plug-ins do amazingly complex things whilst other very simple things. These are the plug-ins that you will almost always found sat on my mix somewhere because when I'm mixing I think 'I know what is going to help that' or in some cases rescue it!
I'm going to choose a different type of plug-in for each post and I hope you will also suggest a similar plug-in that you use for the same job. What I hope we achieve with this series is sharing of our favourite plug-ins.
I'm not expecting you to agree with my choices, or to go out and buy every plug-in I talk about. You may want to try them, but like me you may already have a plug-in that's a faithful friend to you, if that's the case then keep on using it.
As I say what I hope the articles and the comments do is point all of us to some real gems that we may never have tried. Enjoy!
The Slate Virtual Buss Compressors (VBC)
The Slate Virtual Buss Compressors comprises three unique sounding, 100% analog modeled dynamic processors that are ideal for program material.
Every nuance of real analog compressors has been modeled; including the exact nonlinear characteristics of their transformers, tubes, VCAs, amplifiers, phase distortions, harmonic distortions, and timing.
All of the compressors in the VBC bundle have a variable hi-pass filter AND a mix knob that can be used to control the ratio/percentage of the compressed signal to the dry signal. Each compressor can be used in series, and the series rearranged by dragging and dropping (see information on “The Rack”). Compressing a mix with each one doing a very little amount can sound amazing! And, using the compressors in series within the ‘Rack’ also makes it very easy to A/B/C the compressors on source material. Finally, VBC will come with stock presets made by some of the industry's top mixers.
- 3 Unique 100% Analog Modeled Buss Compressors
- Precisely emulated circuit paths including amplifiers and transformers
- Tons of classic presets used by top mix engineers
Why I Love The Slate Virtual Buss Compressor (VBC)
If I have a drum mix then it's highly likely you are going to find the Slate VBC hanging on it, for one simple reason it delivers a result that no other buss compressor achieves, that is giving the drums a solid gluing together. I've tried some of the other usual suspects, even those that claim to be 'the one' with a brand name stamped on them, but they don't seem to satisfy in the same way. This may be something to do with the fact that by design I can string three great buss compressors together and take advantage of all their individual characteristics, it really is a buss compressor on steroids.
I would go as far to say that every time I mix that I'm not happy until I've tested the drums through the Slate VBC just to see if it will help, in 99% of cases it does.
So hit or miss for you? What buss compressors are you using?
Russ continues his series on plug-ins he loves. Granted there are more powerful synths and sample libraries you can buy, but when it comes to bread and butter sounds then this one takes some beating.