The SSL 4000 G Series bus compressor has been copied, emulated, reworked, and rehashed by both hardware and software manufacturers for years now. It seems every plug-in developer has their own take on the stereo compressor, and I’d bet most readers have at least one in their library. SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor. This is a must have! It just works, easy to use, brings your mixes into focus in just the right way. Except from limited bandwith (problematic at higher samplerates - quite useless as master compressor) a real workhorse. Often very simple units a buss compressors job is to 'glue' all the elements of a track together and make mixes sound bigger with more punch and character without loosing clarity. Features: Analogue Modelled Buss Compressor. The XStudioToolz Stereo Buss Compressor can be used on the Master Buss and also on sub-groups (Drum Groups etc). Integral to the hit-making SSL sound, the G Bus Compressor is legend for making mixes bigger, more powerful, and punchy, all the while enhancing cohesion.
The GSSL is a clone of the stereo buss compressor found in SSL4000-series desks. Because of it’s affordability and relatively low difficulty, the GSSL has become a very popular project with many PCBs and mods available.
Uad Ssl 4000 G Bus Compressor
Images courtesy of Gyraf Audio and FiveFish Studios
Notable Features:
- Designed for DBX202x or THAT2180/2181 VCAs
- Uses all modern easily sourceable components
- Ratio, attack, and release pots
G Bus Compressor Clone
Possible Modifications:
- Turbo Mod
- Changes the sidechain from summed (mono) to stereo. This makes the GSSL behave more like the original SSL.
- CRC Filter Mod
- Fixes power hum problems inherent in the original GSSL design.
- VU Meter Mod
- Usually GSSL builders use a peak meter. The VU meter makes the “feel” of the compressor closer to, say, the 1176.
- Super Sidechain
- Adds adjustable 60, 90, 130 & 200hz high-pass filters, Tilt-Medium and Tilt-Loud sidechain eq curves, and the option for an external sidechain input.
- Crush’n’Blend
- Adds wet/dry mix control
Price:
- 25€ for PCB from PCB Grinder
- 25€ for GSSL + super sidechain PCBs from PCB Grinder
Modifications:
- $9.95 for Turbo PCB from Expat Audio
- $30 for Turbo kit from DIY Parts Supply
- 12€ for Super Sidechain PCB from Gustav
- $9.95 for VU Meter PCB from Expat Audio
- $6.95 for CRC PCB from Expat Audio
- $16 for CRC kit from DIY Parts Supply
More information:
- www.gyraf.dk.
- A blog about building a GSSL.
- Five Fish’s GSSL build blog with sound clips.