Mastering with SSL Fusion Like A Pro

SSL Fusion Analog Master Processor: bit.ly/ssl-fus...
In this tutorial we'll master a track from scratch, using the analog processing in the Solid State Logic Fusion to add color, character, depth and width to the mix! I'll walk you through the 5 modules (Vintage Drive, Violet EQ, HF Compressor, Stereo Image and Transformer), explaining how each can be useful in the context of master stereo bus processing. Then we'll do a final A/B comparison with the Fusion master bypass activated :)
Mastering with SSL Fusion PLUGINS Like A Pro: • Mastering with SSL Fus...
🎛 Mixing Presets & DAW Templates
NEW Divine Mixing SSL Native Template (Logic Pro X): bit.ly/ssl-nat...
NEW Divine Mixing Vocal Chains Ultimate (StudioRack): bit.ly/vocal-c...
UPDATED Divine Mixing Vocal Chains SR (StudioRack): bit.ly/vocal-c...
UPDATED Divine Mastering Chains SR (StudioRack): bit.ly/masteri...
Divine Mixing Waves Template (Logic Pro X, Cubase & Pro Tools): bit.ly/waves-t...
Divine Mixing Vocal Chains - Logic Edition (Logic Pro X): bit.ly/vocal-c...
🎹 Synth Presets & Drum Samples:
8oh!8 Bass Presets for Serum - bit.ly/8oh8-pr...
Urban Dreamscapes for Serum - bit.ly/urbandr...
The Niche Kit (Creative Drum and Loop Kit) - bit.ly/nichekit
🎓 Video Training Courses:
NEW Divine Beat Mixing (Mixing & Mastering Course): bit.ly/divine-b...
Divine Mixing Session 1 (Mixing & Mastering Course): bit.ly/divinemi...
Divine Mixing Session 2 (Mixing & Mastering Video Course): bit.ly/divinemi...
🎶 My Favorite Music Distribution Service (use this link for a discounted membership): distrokid.com/...
*I have the Musician Plus plan
🔈 My Studio Gear
seandivine.com...
💬 Let's Connect
seandivine.com
Instagram: / seandivine
Disclosure: My videos contain affiliate links to products and services I use and recommend. I may receive a small commission on sales through these links, at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support as this helps me continue to create content for the channel!

[@bbxdesign]

That mix was already extremely solid. The mastering moved it to another level. And thanks for not talking while doing the bypass toggle, so we can clearly hear the difference. A lot of KZbinrs make that mistake.

[@SeanDivine]

I appreciate that!

[@bbxdesign]

@@davelordy Totally agree with looping the same section to do the A/B testing. Otherwise you're comparing apples and oranges, and well, of course they're gonna taste/sound different…

[@recurvmusic]

@@davelordy ​ Indeed. Many people just suck at doing the right thing when it matters. They’re everywhere.

[@scottminor6960]

People! I love the fusion. When produce with Logic, I find that the final mix is just not „ clear „. When I run the mix through the fusion as a final step, the fusion adds a beautiful clear precise mix! I am extremely happy with the fusion. No money wasted at all!!!!

[@ninodebohemia]

Hola Bro, he comprado una Ssl Fusión, al pasar el limitador en el máster la perilla de Drive mete bastante ruido, a ti también te pasa?

[@jaimepainortiz]

I have a Fusion and IT IS the single most powerful tool we have to take the tracks to the promised land.

[@jaimepainortiz]

@@ilikemyrealname 15 Albums later and the Sunshine is as bright as ever...

[@banba69]

@@jaimepainortiz I want to move to HW and yes this thing just seems to be golden and a good swiss knife to begin !

[@dyonissiszoes3747]

Seriously this box is the most spectacular analog colour device I’ve ever heard. You can actually hear the difference for once...

[@bikesnbeerz]

Warning - Hardware is a gateway drug.

[@kanonpeterson9478]

bob smith he is not lying.

[@BALTAOFC]

yes

[@TouchToneDSG]

True to life

[@gusdee4844]

😭😭😭 Hellppppp because im spending all my money. Want to buy the warm audio bus compressor then im like... should I just drop 1200 more and buy a professional bus compressor. I love analog now.. but hate that im addicted lol

[@OmoiSenpai]

The truth! I'm thinking about a Limiter next, but I'm not trying to tell my mom that I'm about to spend like $2500 on a rectangle piece of metal that adjusts the audio in ways that she can't understand ( again lol )

[@Superlover]

the difference is more then subtle. this box seems to give one´s song that expensive polished final magic. great demonstration. thank you!

[@ezayproductions]

Vintage Drive: ON Me: shiiiet...dat is where dat radio-ready sound comes from 🔥🔥🔥

[@richardsmithson4453]

It really is that sound!

[@emilbirkedal8430]

@@richardsmithson4453 but it drops 3 db when he bypass.. cheats your ear

[@KeenApollo]

@@emilbirkedal8430 that's what perceived loudness is.

[@gusdee4844]

@@KeenApollo no lol unless he turned down the output to match levels, thats not perceived loudness. Im sure when he gain matches it will def have some perceived loudness but I doubt by that much.

[@MakingMadBeats]

Although the gain levels were only slightly different you should have matched the output gain after processing everything through the Fusion. I' ll agree, it is indeed a nice device which seems to deliver great results.

[@JrumBeats]

This was awesome watching!! That High End boost really changes the mix, plus that saturation section! FIRE!! "THE KICKS AND SNARES IS POPPINNNNN" Bless up bro!!

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

I could barely pay attention to the processing just vibing on the song. Good good good stuff

[@NDULEENTERTAINMENT]

🤯 i was about to get the thebus+ but this has changed my mind. i'll get the fusion first

[@aarons6617]

Awesome to see you getting into more hardware! Looking at that empty 1U space above the Fusion, an AudioScape Buss Compressor would look pretty sexy there. That thing will beat out any SSL style VCA Compressor plug-in in EVERY mix. I have a Tegeler Crème, but for $700 you can’t beat AudioScapes comp. And if you want to fill out that rack I’d suggest a LTL Chroma+ with the Pentode Tube Colour modules! All are amazing companies! That being said, thanks for all your videos and tutorials; you’ve helped me grow more as a producer/engineer. 🖖🏽

[@Sance21]

I have the Silver Bullet in combo with the Stam SA-4000. How do you think the 4000 stacks up against the Audioscape?

[@calebneff5777]

Well, that might be the best piece of gear for mastering ever.

[@SilentGloves]

Just some quick, unsolicited advice: The results are somewhat meaningless unless you loudness normalize the A/B test. We humans tend to perceive louder as better, and since you're adding quite a lot of gain through this processor, it tends to exaggerate the perceived benefit. If you loudness normalized in post-production for this video, it would allow people to make a more informed decision about the actual enhancements this processor provides. All of that being said, I enjoyed the video. Thanks for making it. P.S. I too use an Aphex Channel. :)

[@pinagerman]

Couldn't agree more. Volume matching when A/B comparing is very underrated. And it's crucial when making decisions.

[@okidot]

Its for mastering, so its an assumed given that the processing here is obvious!!

[@ITRiBUTEI]

Wow what a difference. Almost makes me wanna invest into one. Even just for fun.

[@koningvaro7298]

TRiBUTE almost lol

[@crystalveil3213]

im addited to this...

[@charliekey2979]

It works pretty good as a "master processor" as stated by the manufacturer. Good example of hybrid mixing.

[@ambrocado]

LISTENING TO THE ALBUM...WOW HOW IT SOUNDS MAN!!!. MASSIVE.CRYSTAL CLEAR

[@SeanDivine]

Appreciate it fada!

[@srosh218]

A little bit more skills today, thanks to YOU! ❤️Bless you 🙏

[@OfficialJBlair]

Your videos bring value to my life in more ways than one. Thank you for all you bring.

[@richardsmithson4453]

That vintage drive is incredible. Great walkthrough man and that's a great mix.

[@SeanDivine]

appreciate it Richard

[@eddierosa98]

Love the Fusion. But I let it go and got the Neve MBP because the hiss on the Vintage Drive was very annoying to deal with. I'm aware of analog hiss but that drive was on a different level.

[@SeanDivine]

It’s there but goes away as you bring it up. I’m usually really picky about introducing any noise but considering what it does, well worth the little bit here

[@alexfont]

Happy I have at the moment both of them!

[@yjxoxo]

Everyone always ignores the engineer when they start making their own music lol but that song was amazing acoustically and creatively.

[@teyerancealfred7178]

I have a Manley Numu on the insert of my Fusion and man it sounds amazing with it..👍👍

[@philcodeca]

I have a UAD X4 and a fusion arriving tomorrow. I feel like a kid of Christmas Eve right now!

[@SeanDivine]

Have fun :)

[@1kingstan795]

Im loving the rhymes ten seconds in... this is motivation

[@jerrylmusic]

Gladly I have also one of this magic SSL Fusion and I wanna thank you for this great inspiring tutorial ♥️

[@JaMard80]

Sean, Man you never disapoint. I was waiting on this vid. Good stuff 🎛 💪🏾

[@SOUNTH11composingdesign]

Great video, great audio and video quality. Thank you.

[@raymondlooi]

Wow... Fantastic! Appreciate your efforts, Sean! Love the magic of HF compressor, it seems super smooth for the High Frequencies after that application! Still, great job of the Energy on Vintage Drive, significant punch on the Low and High! But gonna carefully play around the amount of Stereo Image dials, right? Lost Solid Low when given too much. Thanks Sean 💪

[@jmula1963]

Sean should also check out Matthew Lane’s OnTheMoon Spacecraft for crazy analog mid-side processing

[@SeanDivine]

Love mathew’s plugins! 👍

[@jmula1963]

Sean Divine awesome ya then you should try and get hands on that hardware unit he just released recently 🥶🥶

[@MSXIISound]

Really dope bro! Thanks for the vid. Will NEVER let go of the Fusion. Such an essential piece!

[@ProducerStefanSchnabel]

Yeah! This will go into my Studio this year! ✨🎶✌🏻 Thank you!

[@iamantoniofernandez]

DANG! Well... so much for my Black Friday purchases... Now I need THIS right now

[@CoolDali]

how do you hook it up? if you only have an interface

[@darkerfactory]

You're a Genius. Thanks a lot for all the tips you're share with us. God Bless you Man

[@SeanDivine]

My pleasure, glad it’s been helpful

[@gweeds334]

This will be my next piece of hardware for sure

[@bolemereja777]

THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAR BROTHER. MUCH LOVE FROM ETHIOPIA

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@greganikin7003]

Really brings up vocals on top of the mix! Great demo of a great unit! Thanks!

[@demodeiowa]

Great song and great video! That thing is a beast awesome improvements. Once you hit that bypass I missed what the unit did to the mix

[@donniehill5688]

Love it, It's been working out well on my Master Bus. Thank you

[@SeanDivine]

enjoy 🙌

[@alterethos]

Dude, thank you so much for this video. Truly appreciate it; the song is dope too! Well done!

[@SeanDivine]

Sure thing man and appreciate the kind words!

[@commonsense5188]

The unit sounds great. The biggest thing I noticed aside from the smooth low end and beautiful high end sheen when you were bypassing, was the amount of 3D like depth you got from it via the stereo imaging module. That alone just about sold me on it. My wallet is already disliking me.

[@SeanDivine]

Tough to quantify just how good the hardware is in practice... and I was set on staying completely ITB for a long time 😅

[@commonsense5188]

@@SeanDivine Heard that Sean. I've got some great plugins, including all of the SSL plugs which see action on just about every track in some for or another. Not to mention the usual suspects like Waves, soundtoys and all the Izotope plugs among others. Once I started dabbling in nicer hardware like my BAE 1073MPF preamp, my LA2A for tracking etc I immediately noticed a difference in sound. It might not be night and day, but there most definitely is a difference, especially when tracking. Now I'm really wanting to get my hands on a nice hardware EQ and this appears to fit the bill nicely. Great overview of a product as always.

[@bikesnbeerz]

Congrats SD and thanks for the demo. Can't wait to see what you get next. Maybe a Neve MBP? I've been into 500's lately. So flexible. I just need your talent now.

[@SeanDivine]

the 500's are tempting :)

[@bikesnbeerz]

@@SeanDivine Started out with a Neve R10 rack last Oct; filled it. Got another cheaper 10 space just to test modules. Super fun and shipping them is easy. A good power supply is the key. The R10 does that well and is made in Texas!

[@eleven21_music]

How are you routing your signal from Logic to the Fusion then back into Logic?

[@ncyancy]

You have to use the insert I/o plugin.

[@jossuecastaneda8135]

I just ordered mine 🔥🔥😎🤓🤓

[@billyhughes9776]

Very cool piece of kit man,...sounds great. Diggin that tune as well.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks man! 🙌

[@Mixedin4k]

@@SeanDivine Hi Sean, what would you recommend adding to my mastering chain after the SSL Fusion insert? Other than a limiter

[@argiopeMusic]

Trying to wrap my head around how it's different from the Neve MBP... which is my personal favorite, but I'm always open minded.

[@redviagra]

This sounds perfect.. what else would you add to this?

[@thadobster]

Bro, that track slaps!

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@thadobster]

@@SeanDivine The message is on point too! Its helping me deal with some things I got going on in life right now.

[@jamesviice4217]

that rap style be continually getting better Sean

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@twentytwobeatz]

Hey Sean, would you suggest using the Fusion before going "back in the box" for the final (digital) limiting/maximizing? Thanks for the insight on the unit!

[@sqwop]

wow you sold this man

[@user-my9dp2ny3l]

another great video..thank you so much!! love the song!!

[@alexanderclifford7417]

hey sean thanks for the video, nice explanation of the unit and good job with the track aswell ! off topic question but are u working in 44.1khz for all of your producing,mixing and recording?

[@kuldeepgohel29]

Great video bro and amazing final master; What compressor would you recommend with this? I am thinking to accompany a compressor with this and in terms of the chain, I am planning to add a hardware compressor before this and then this hardware to add color and width to the final track.

[@SeanDivine]

I don't have a hardware compressor currently, I use the SSL Bus Comp plugin :) That being said, I've heard great things about the SSL Bus+

[@laurenpassarellipasswords7143]

Great chorus, and the recording sounds awesome.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Lauren!

[@DreErdna]

Pretty cool and this video was awesome! It was really interactive. Do you always use this when mastering & Do you use it with ozone as well? I been out here prayin for my foes (tooooo) this song is bomb! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@petepeters419]

awesome vid with good source material for showing the Fusion's versatility.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Pete!

[@BlueSB017]

Solid video, cheers

[@REMRODFILMS]

can you use this with a n apollo twin x???

[@millionhertzbeats2352]

This is a great video so thank you for sharing your knowledge, in the same time can you explain to us how this is routed and formost what are the levels you need to target going into the fusion and how are you getting it back : analog or digital and why please. Thanks in advance

[@dairebarefoot6763]

Leaving the HPF off was a good call.

[@JamalWadeLive]

Great content thanks for the information Sean

[@SeanDivine]

My pleasure!

[@JamalWadeLive]

Sean Divine looking forward to much more.

[@AlavonMajor]

Wish it had a low frequency mono maker knob kind of like the Brainworx BX ...could be helpful 🤓

[@ryanpwm]

Better to do that in the computer anyways or just run mid side.

[@dariogomez461]

For some reason putting it as an insert I can’t hear any plugins I put after it. Is that the same case for you?

[@bkmusicofficial3852]

great vedio......thank you for all........

[@comredesigns6328]

Does it really do something that a couple of plugins can't do? may be using some waves plugins such as abbey road mastering? It's quite expensive

[@TheRTM]

Nice track.

[@QueEstaPasando_YT]

Aweome Vid Thanks!

[@SINGLARGrupoEcuador]

Te saludo desde ECUADOR y te agradezco está excelente explicación... Ahora lo único que quisiera saber es... Como una vez que ya hayamos ajustado al gusto el producto final... Cómo volver al digital para exportar y bonce el producto final...

[@dividedsoulsent]

Question Do you use the Fusion as the final stop in the mastering process? I use it in my stereo bus mix then bounce that out to my Ozone 9 for mastering. Just Curious about your process.

[@SeanDivine]

Yep, it's just before the limiter :)

[@ForgivenJ7]

Amazing tutorial. Just got one in the studio I work in and wanted to get more familiar with it before using it to master. I see you only used a Limiter in the box before the demonstration. Is that what you would actually do while mastering with the fusion or is it all circumstantial? Any other plugins you may throw in that you'd recommend alongside the Fusion?

[@SeanDivine]

Yep! I just route the master through the Fusion and follow with it a limiter / maximizer and any metering plugins. That's usually it although I may put on the bus compressor or a dynamic EQ on occasion.

[@ForgivenJ7]

@@SeanDivine Dope! Thanks man!

[@tylersiddiqui1132]

Sounds sweet!

[@M.Holland]

The Fusion seems to be great! and even that kind of music isn't my taste, the song is killer!

[@SeanDivine]

Thanks Michael!

[@TzoHill]

Big Sean 😎Do you need to buy converters to use the fusion? You really psyching me to buy this thing!

[@SeanDivine]

Not necessarily. To get the most out of it, you want the best converters possible but if you have a good interface, the built in converters should work just fine. I use an RME and the built in converters are great!

[@TzoHill]

@@SeanDivine phew thank God lol. Hopefully my Auident ID22 would be ok.. thanks for the response!

[@REMRODFILMS]

hey bro! great vid! where should the levels be at b4 running the final mix thru the ssl and where should they be at after final mix thru the fusion?

[@SeanDivine]

No rules. It's usually a good idea to bring the input trim back some on the Fusion so you have headroom to work with (analog reacts differently). Use your ears and make sure you're not introducing any undesired distortion going out / coming back in to the DAW.

[@REMRODFILMS]

@@SeanDivine thank u bro! Imma be placing that order soon!

[@JBaileyTV]

How do you wire this unit to logic and your interface? What is wires do you need?

[@SeanDivine]

it depends on your interface, I am running balanced XLR to TRS into the RME UFX and then I use the I/O plugin in Logic for routing

[@MasterOneMusic]

So enjoyable video!

[@SeanDivine]

🙌

[@andreasoberholz]

Nice demo....No offending but going out the box with the I/O plugin it makes sense to dither before. It also makes sense to dither the output of your daw because most interfaces do not reach true 24 bits. every time you leave the DAW truncation happens. Not my wisdom, its the wisdom of Bob Olhsson (Motowon today ME.) I write it because I clearly can hear that you lose some of your reverb tails and other subtle stuff when the SSL-FUSION kicks in. I am pretty sure the fusion is a great unit. I may buy one that's why I watch some examples...

[@ilikemyrealname]

The bypass is on the hardware unit. The before/after you’re hearing are both post conversation, so whatever difference you’re hearing is not from what you think it is.

[@Kawiracer300]

Can you make us a video on how to hook it up to an interface, such as what cables we need, how many, and what to look for in the I/O? Plz and thank you!

[@ryanpwm]

The left interface cables go to the left input channels. The left outputs go to the left interface input channels. And so on... also the big black cable is the power cable. That needs to be plugged in for it to turn on.

[@sussvarman]

you just made future me so much more broke thank you so much

[@alexandervillasenor9703]

Do you recommend using the fusion before or after you have mastered the track? Like use it as the ultimate last step? Thanks.

[@SeanDivine]

Yes. I place it last, just prior to limiting / maximization

[@alexandervillasenor9703]

@@SeanDivine thanks for replying brother. This helps a ton!

[@MELOPSMUSIC]

NICE, is it usable for tracking ?

[@SeanDivine]

It is! I use the Vintage Drive and Violet EQ for vocals on occasion and it sounds great.

[@hang-sangitch]

Amazing unit

[@NikosKeyZ]

How can we judge the AB results if output signals are not on the same level? :/

[@BryceKleinhanz21493]

congrats g

[@ruggerobosso1345]

Beautiful music

[@SeanDivine]

thanks

[@bossofly]

@@SeanDivine rare musicality of the vocal part

[@rodmorris2075]

Great vid. Question, Fusion set up with I/O plugin, say on the master...or a pre-master Bus, then, what's the best way to print it in Logic? just realtime rec to a diff track? any convenient patching/routing to do it you can suggest?

[@SeanDivine]

Yeah, the only option is real-time bounce (either to a record-armed audio track or on session export)

[@redviagra]

I bought one.. this is definitely a pro piece.. u use this as the final touch?

[@SeanDivine]

yep! 👍

[@crystalveil3213]

Hi sean, thanks for sharing this vid, i ve got one question, the aphex and fusion whats the config? you make an input of both in master channel? another question is, when you re mastering "stems", you treat for example, the aphex in a channel 1 mix, and a compressor or something else in a channel 2?

[@jossuecastaneda8135]

Hey Sean, a little help if you can. Should I run SSL Fusion into Warm Buss Comp or Buss Comp into the Fusion? I’m thinking Fusion into the Buss.

[@jasperbosscher8471]

Jossue Castaneda mix into your buss comp first (4:1 ratio slow attack fast release for modern music) then use the fusion for final tweaks

[@SeanDivine]

yep, I would leave the Fusion last in the chain... although it does have an "insert" mode as well :)

[@urcrew1]

Is it better to get this then Neve 8816 sir ??

[@kofiassor2164]

can i use it with my spl crimson 3?

[@burnercomented]

How does the ssl subscription work?? Do you have to be connected to wifi to use?? Would being connected to wifi while mixing cause interference?? Thanks..sorry for the rapid fire questions

[@STMENTNETWORK]

Which one you think is better this or the neve portcol

[@SeanDivine]

haven't tried the neve... after getting the fusion, it's been on just about every session I work on 👍

[@Fatalis069]

for that money it does a lot especially for us homestudiocats wich can't afford that expensive shit like a Manley massive passive and other stuff I think it gets you pretty close to a good mastering analog chain in 1 box..

[@SeanDivine]

Agreed! It's a great tool.

[@Fatalis069]

@@SeanDivine i was between fusion or ssl bus+ first went for the bus+ totaly Worth the Bucks man. The eq on the bus+ is also very pleasing and man it pumps as hell... next is definitly the fusion

[@randomrandom15]

Nice unit and review. Would have been helpful to set the output trim to match the original level so we could hear the what it's doing to the sound without the level gain

[@mphatic]

Thanks man! awesome!

[@shevyjohn9308]

What is your dbfs going into the ssl ? Are you limiting after the ssl back into the DAW ?

[@Wadyofficial8]

How do you get the final loudness? Thank you

[@TzoHill]

A limiter most likely..

[@indieroadstudio4340]

how compares with the Aphex?