Wave goodbye to your old 2bus compressor

In today's video, I've created a walkthrough showcasing the strengths of the brand new Bus Processor from Softube. Will this replace your old Waves SSL comp on your 2 bus? If the title of the video didn't give it away, I know it will for me. The track I'm working on is one I mixed a year ago from my friend Ameya called Foxgloves Amethyst. He's currently working on a music video for this exact song so this felt appropriate for the timing.
▶▶Give the 20-day free trial a go! bit.ly/BusProc...
DISCLAIMER: Softube has paid me for this review. However, the opinions expressed are completely my own and Softube had no influence on the demo or how I represented the work shown in this video.
Timestamps
01:00 2bus processing
02:55 Using the sidechain section to finesse what the compressor reacts to
03:55 Using the DAW tempo sync to dial in the compressor release to 16th notes
06:53 Saturation on guitars to add weight to overall mix
09:08 Spatial section adds air and width to Keys
11:54 Mono Bass knob tightens us the low end
13:15 Comparison of previous moves made to the mix on and off
15:13 Final thoughts
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[@TheRealStevenWard]

What are your thoughts on the Bus Processor? Is this going to be a plugin that takes a place on your template?

[@patrick5301]

I do quite like it for its features, but this compressor unfortunately won't come anywhere close to my sand3comp (acustica audio). The sound just isn't there

[@BillGraper]

I bought it last month on sale. It sounds amazing!!!

[@BillGraper]

@@patrick5301 Too expensive, and too many controls.

[@noromar136]

I don't think I've seen another bus compressor that's as practical as this one.

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Absolutely! 🤘😁

[@Winter-CIG]

There is a particular sound I think we all expect from a good analogue emulated compressor. A bit of sauce and smoothness to warm up the track and make it feel alive. Kinda like when you hear a song you know on broadcast radio, running through all their outboard gear. Then we throw a compressor on and you get that imediately feeling of "damn, that wasn't nearly as impactful as I wanted". It feels like they made this plugin to target that expectation. It's a general "make gooderer".

[@ameyaxoxo]

Thank you Steven for sharing all your knowledge! This is such great information for me as an artist as well! Brilliant work! 💯💯

[@TheRealStevenWard]

My pleasure! Glad you liked the video! ❤️

[@Its_Joey_M]

Outstanding walkthrough and demo! Can’t think of anything else they could’ve included in this plugin. 🖤🤘

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Thanks, brother! Agreed, absolutely complete package. ❤️🤘

[@KlayaR__]

A Limiter

[@Its_Joey_M]

@@KlayaR__ touché

[@malcomowenflood]

Good timing! I was looking to try a new bus compressor to mix things up!

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Hell yeah! Let me know what you think!

[@rome8180]

It may not be "modeled on any compressor" but it's still clearly supposed to be an SSL with added features. I happen to love SSL compression, and the added feature set makes this one a must-own for me.

[@johnisrael5183]

Wow this guy will work on EVERY BUS...it Can be an SSL, 1176 or a LA2A...yeah..they this is 3 Comps in one... loving it...

[@IAMCORNHOLIOINEEDTP]

It's quite nice, but still no replacement for my Unisum instances .. in my opinion still the best mastering comp out there!

[@bobomark4136]

Any way Unisum will more useful? I am interested

[@MartinArchea]

great sounding mix!

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Thank you! It's easy to get a great mix when the source material is amazing. 😁

[@jgproductdesign]

Nice job 😊

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Thank you!

[@gilicolter3716]

very good video thanks ! and very nice tune too !

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Thanks! Glad you liked the track! Ameya is a fantastic artist so I want to get his music out any way I can. 😁

[@URRBANELEKTRO]

Brilliant

[@TheRealStevenWard]

❤️🤘😁

[@johnisrael5183]

The Major Diffrence between a Master Comp or Bus Comp is a Bus Comp is only one Channel even if it can be Stereo Synced...but you want a Two channel analog or Plugin Compressor for Mastering a Mix or on final Masters..... Weiss MKII Compressor PA Shadow Hills or Nebula Cupwise C660 I wouldnt use anything else on Mix or Final Masterbus....

[@JTFuller]

WOW

[@THZORROMUSIC]

same here

[@tana7779]

I wonder if the AIR/WIDTH/MONO BASS section is influenced by Plugin Alliance? The TEMPO SYNC in the release is unique... I wish there was an AUTO GAIN function...but if you overload it with features, it loses its SSL-ness...lol.

[@AreaNeraTV]

There is an autogain, you need to expand the right section of the plugin.

[@khalilroukoz]

looks great, but do you really need to knock waves ,im sure you've used their bus comp 😅

[@6oundStudio]

nice pun. I've blindtested it against Townhouse, and TH still won, but it's a good plugin

[@matrixate]

Townhouse is good but this has its own SSL vibe.

[@TheRealStevenWard]

​@@matrixate agreed on the ssl vibe from this plugin

[@BrofUJu]

Just out of curiosity (and I'll probably do my own test) what was the biggest difference? I have Townhouse, it's quick punchy and quick, bit of a low midrange bump

[@johnisrael5183]

The TH to me is more for Bass and Bass Synths For Drums...and Drum Bus...hands down the Tim P N60 ( dbx 160 Live Analog Sampled) Hands down...I use this one all Drums...really punchy, and Tight...and mabye Jam...Fatso Setting for some E Labs Fatso Saturation....on Whole Drum Bus..with the N60 or N18.... but on Drums...the Nebula...N60 (dbx160A) and the N18 (Classic dbx 60a..) the rule on Drums...and you get both live analog Sampled Pres...all for $20... Paul the third tested them against the physical dbx160a...they sound Identical.... Or Tim P's L Bus Comp for the Whole Bus..thats the XLogic SSL 4000 G Comp live analog sampled

[@Rhythmandosyche]

@@johnisrael5183 this is interesting! Do you have to purchase nebula first? I’m new to this plugin method. Cheers and thanks for any info. As a drummer who records, you’ve got me interested for sure.

[@matrixate]

Audio level of this video is a bit quiet compared to the other pro channels. Did you forget to raise the makeup gain before bouncing?

[@TheRealStevenWard]

Nah, I set the peak level to -12db in DaVinci resolve because that's where I normally level my demo audio. I could have raised it slightly in post but 🤷🏻‍♂️ I think it still did the job. 😊

[@benbenzon]

@@TheRealStevenWard gain staging at -12 or -18dbfs because analog gear’s VU meter’s 0 dbVU = -12 or -18 dnfs. If ur input to analog gear is too hot(higher than 0dbVU) , it will drive the circuit and create saturation, which make the signal less clean. People dont always want that , so they keep saying “keep ur input level at -12 to -18dbfs”. In digital world there is no such issue. You can process signal any level u wanted as long as it is not clipping over 0db. So it really makes no sense to leave 12db headroom in youtube video master