Lindell Audio SBC – American console bus compressor plug-in
Developer Lindell Audio has been busy knocking out an API 2500 bus compressor emulation. They won’t outright tell you it’s the API because of trademarks and all that. But they aren’t particularly coy about the heart of matter. Lindell Audio SBC is an expectedly faithful emulation of the other classic analog bus comp.
But it comes with modernized features, such as NUKE hyper-compression and adjustable THD (harmonic distortion). Pushing its development even further, Lindell will release a multi-band version of the plug-in as a free upgrade. It’s being primed for Fall 2022.
Lindell Audio SBC bus compressor
The original hardware is among the most popular stereo bus compressors of all time. Like most products from its manufacturer (API), it sounds open, smooth, and punchy. I like to think of the API sound as a thicker, darker SSL which is a very layman understanding but it’s in the ballpark. Like any good bus comp, it’s insta-kill on drums, mix buses, and anything else that can handle some aggressive compression comfortably.
A series of carefully curated filters and knee options let you add further glue and polish to the final mix. Lindell’s own addition, the “NUKE” feature, contributes extra ‘crush’ on snare drum and room tracks. It also does heavy-but-clean compression for clamping down vocals.
The special sidechain filter applies a low cut and a high boost to the detector circuit which optimizes the compressor’s response. “Feedforward” and “feedback” options allow for modern and vintage style operation. Further on, a variable stereo link control lets you decide exactly how much the left and right channels interact with each other.
I think the Lindell SBC is a great choice for an API 2500 plug-in. There aren’t that many of this kind around. You can have one from Waves, one from UAD, and the Tone Empire Model 5000.
Lindell SBC GUI
Price and availability
The plug-in is available from distributor Plugin Alliance for USD 130 on sale, down from USD 299. Various monthly and yearly subscription options are available as well. Formats include 64-bit AAX Native, AU, VST2, VST3 for Windows 8+ and Windows 10+.
Learn more about Lindell Audio SBC
Video
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
This might also interest you
