SSL Native Essentials bundle: clear, punchy SSL sound for $5 a month!
SSL’s software department scaled its SSL Native Plug-ins Bundle down to probably the best-sounding virtual suite you can grab for USD 5 a month. The SSL Native Essentials comprises just two plug-ins, but both are key to achieving that polished, punchy sound SSL consoles are famous for.
SSL Channel Strip
SSL Channel Strip plug-in · Source: SSL
First comes the SSL Channel Strip which delivers the SSL console parametric EQ and a dynamics module comprising a Compressor and Gate/Expander. No mic preamp emulation, but the case with SSL preamps is that they are generally very clean and neutral, so not truly essential to obtaining that console-colored sound. With these tools, you can dial in excellent corrective EQ, remove obnoxious sounds and get some wonderful compression going. I used this channel strip for voice recordings and man, that voice of mine came out shining through! The SSL plug-ins are the real deal, folks.
SSL Bus Compressor
SSL Bus Compressor plug-in · Source: SSL
Second in line is the famous “glue” compressor. Although perfectly usable as a channel compressor, its superpower is to supercharge even the densest of mixes by bringing together all instruments into a cohesive, punchy whole. Put your final mix through it, twiddle the knobs and I’m sure you will quickly dial in a pleasing result. That’s how truly fine analog gear works, and SSL has done a superb job of bringing it to virtual life.
Price and availability
USD 5 per month, via the Gobbler plug-in delivery service. The subscription can be cancelled anytime, so no commitment is to be had. Personally, I am lucky enough to own two excellent hardware clones of both the SSL equalizer and G-Bus compressor. But if I wasn’t as fortunate, those 5 bux a month for 2/3rds the SSL sound would be a no brainer for me. An SSL fanboy I am, indeed!
More information
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