I was looking for that last bit of polish. This was it! It is already making things doing great and I'm just getting started with it. Thank you Stephen for helping me with the SSL!

I used to turn my nose at the classic SSL buss comp in favor of more versatile clones that had things like side chain filters or additional ratio or timing controls. Turns out SSL answered all our wishes and then some. This is a great sounding box with the classic SSL sounds but way more options and sounds available. I have significantly down-sized my gear situation and this guy fills a lot of space in terms of the functionality I get from one box. The extra low ratios, variety of time constants and the faster Auto2 settings are very welcome additions. The D-EQ & static EQ controls are icing. With the D-EQ you can enhance transient punch or tame a lumpy or harsh mix. Why not a full 5 stars?? Well nobody's perfect and I have a couple gripes with the interface. I have to echo the complaints about the mirror image controls. It's simply counter-intuitive. When you use two mono units in stereo, you're using two sets of controls oriented in the same way, plus like 90% of stereo units are **not** mirrored controls. So it takes getting used to, and it's NOT the norm, so there. The other one is that most of the controls have logical increments on the panel marks for easy recall, EXCEPT just the Threshold. Why?!?! The Threshold has 0 at 12:00, then two unmarked notches in either direction, then a -4 to the left and a +4 to the right. When I write recall notes am I really supposed to type or write "1.3333333" or "2.666666" on my notes?? OK, I use 1.3 or 2.7, but it's just silly I even need to slow down to think about it. If the true dB increments on the control are not going to correspond exactly to the sub-divisions of the marks on the dial USE A GENERIC SCALE instead of dB! It's so much easier to note a generic 0 to 10 that match the hash marks on the panel than to think about what the values are between 4 and 8 when there's only two notches between them. Final gripe: You get fixed LF & HF EQ controls, but only when it's in linked stereo. When in dual mono or M/S, both EQ controls are just for the LF and you don't get HF control. It'd be swell if that right side LF/HF knob could be long-pressed to switch between LF or HF control when not in linked stereo. This way you could enhance the HF on the sides only when running in M/S, which would be sick. OK, nobody's perfect. End rant. Other than that, the box is killer and sounds great! SSL did a great job enhancing a classic with deep control and without losing the essence of the SSL Buss Comp sound or making it cost like 4 grand. Gripes aside, the unit is a performer, and I'm glad to have one.

I'm building my hybrid studio since 2025 and I've got some iconic gear already but this unit is amazing!
I've used the plugins from SSL and have their Digital Controllers, but the versatility on this box is incredible!
This is my second mix bus compressor box (the first is a tube style vari mu from Locomotive) and this SSL is THAT SOUND that puts my mixes together :)
Can't wait to continue learning about the mastering portion and utilizing those features more- OH! And there is a cool little game that unlocks a cool features altogether!
Highly recommend saving your pennies and investing in this box if you are serious about getting your mixes to the next level and being competitive in this market!

Smooth creamy highs on my vocals, raw broccoli snaps in the snare, my lows/bass has never been so healthy, everything is glued, and yes the eq on this is freaking outstanding. How do you get this kind of eq to do that much with just two dials? It's insane how much you get and it all works better than expected. So this COMPRESSOR/EQ/TRANSIENT SHAPER can itch any spot and once you've learned the knobs, is even faster and deadlier. I'm straight slapping these tracks now in no time..

First thing is one of the comments complaining about the knob layout. It's kinda funny. My friend they are that way when you have a stereo unit. They are supposed to be mirrored.
Second this unit is crazy versatile and I mean crazy.
My only complaints is companies need to step into the future already. Digital plugin control would've made this unit a monster.
That where my last complaint comes in. The learning curve is a bit much and recall is a son of a ….. don't say you can't master with this. What do you think they used the original ssl for? It was the final glue on the master.
Either way you'll love it. Just wish it had plugin control and was a little better for recall.

Took my pro tools plug in song and kicked it up a few notches totally....nothing against plug-ins....l did tracks with plug-ins...but once to ran my bounced song in mp3 form...not wav...but mp3 through the SSL.... BAM......there it was...all up in my face .... the mix was tight and flowing hard ....l had a Neve Portico 2..a distrssor.many hardware units..but lm a SSL sound dude .... if you got a home studio..and you can't afford a console.....l wish it provided a little more gain....like the TC Electronics FINALIZER did.... l used wavs J37 tape machine on all the tracks to be fair...so between the plug-ins and this SSL unit....you can almost sound like a console...almost...

Why SSL would put a power switch on the rear of the unit boggles the mind. SSL has gone down hill. I loved their consoles until that Duality and Origin fiasco. Hey SSL… how am I supposed to get to the power switch when it's in a rack cabinet? You're supposed to be Pro Audio! Stupid - stupid - stupid!!

With Stereo, Dual Mono and Mid-Side processing capabilities, this box is amazing! Very deep menus, SSL 4K emulation, low THD mode, it will do what you want it to do! Also having a 2 band dynamic EQ is amazing! I looked at other master bus processors, nothing I looked at compared to the versatility of this machine. Digitally controlled analog circuits, stepped potentiometers allowing total recall - this is a very well thought out unit and sounds absolutely amazing!!!

I use the Bus+ for tracking I also use it on my Master bus. The versatility is incredible along with the D-EQ and the Low THD the BUS + has really enhanced both my workflow and my final product. One of the best additions to my studio I've ever made.

SSL hit this one out of the box. SSL has been on a roll lately. Not content to live in the past, they have been producing some great products. This is one.

Thanks to Chris Goldbach at Sweetwater, I have purchased one of these units.

While primarily it is a mix bus compressor, it is glorified beyond this. The stereo compressor itself is excellent, with all the controls that one could want. Beyond this, the Dynamic Equalizer, 4K processor and THD low frequency circuit add even more value to it.

SSL has done a great job of designing one unit with some many feautures and the ability to property control each. The functional layout is well executed. This must have required many many hours of thought in order to arrive at a design that is comprehensive and yet easy to use.

The sounds ----???? Terrific. Just watch the videos by SSL and Mitch at Sweetwater.

Tom

First off: the price is insane for this unit.. a better unit than it's predecessors, and cheaper! I really thought I'd hate the 4k color options... I love them. G type options are cool, but the thing I love most: the dang D-EQ functionality makes this unit UNSTOPPABLE on the mix bus. Also, detented controls mean accurate call back (albeit old school. I do not mind this.). There is literally nothing I dislike about this unit. I can not in good faith issue anything less than 5 stars.

Yep, does the SSL G- console 2 buss comp. Yep, does the transparent parallel comp. heavy comp, EQ, side chain, stereo, dual mono, mid side and side chain comps and it does them exactly like classic SSL. I have heard a few complaints that this compressor is not a one trick pony. And that is true, it is a versatile, extremely musical compressor VERY easily at home on the 2 BUSS where SSL is so revered for as well as at home tracking vocals, horns, cabs, bass. Colored or transparent... It's the best compressor under $3k.

Where has the Bus + been all of my life? I'm a producer & loved this thing out the gate. My sale rep Jake sent it out to me the same day they received it, thanks man! This unit may seem intimidating to some at 1st, but it's really straight forward & easy to use once you start pressing buttons & turning knobs. I find it pretty intuitive to be honest and packed with options - love that.

Real SSL sonics & circuitry packed in this unit. I'm really feeling how SSL is taking the lead & giving us producers/engineers/artists what we've been missing/asking for. Great job SSL...

My god, this outboard gear is just amazing. It adds a warmth that's unmatched!

I've got this unit since they were released, I tried it on my mastering but it wasn't helpful as others, In mixing might be better to glue drums or gtr

Other than that I don't think it would be good.

Thx

The sound of the saturation alone on this unit is worth the buy. The D-EQ went far beyond my expectations as well. This thing is definitely not a one-trick pony. The compressor unit is the typical SSL bus glue, but the 4 modes of operation make this a multi tool for other compression applications especially when combined with the D-EQ.

WOW!!!!!! I just put this on my master bus and I can say it's totally amazing!!!! Simple to use after you spend some time with it I figured it out yesterday and the night before I mounted it in my rack I am very happy with it!!!!! GAME ON!!!!

SSL has done an incredible job of bring 3 critical elements of any recording into one unit. It sounds amazing just using the classic buss compressor
but what SSL has done is given the user the ability to shape the sound of any program material in a variety of critical elements to any degree you want . This makes the unit great for any genre of music, and or instruments for single tracks, stems, parallel compression. Its laid out very usefully if of course you understand the premise of whats available. So for people who may unfamiliar, do not let this dissuade you. Spend a week with this unit and it will be on almost every recording you do.

No it's not complicated, like the ridiculous 3 star review below assumes (the reviewer hasn't even used it!). Very slick, very powerful, it's "The SSL Sound" on steroids. 4K mode is a great extra above most other SSL comps and their clones. Low THD mode is a secret weapon here which makes it sound instantly better than almost any SSL bus comp (or clone) I can think of, literally fixing one of the main gotchas of VCA compression with a simple button (tip: Always leave it on!). Dynamic EQ is the crowning glory and just as impressive and 'sound betterising' as the compressor, if not more so!

The D-EQ alone would be worth half the price of this product, it can really (re) add bounce and life to a compressed mix and helps to sculpt the perfect tone for the glue from the compressor. Add in all the other extras over the basic G-comp and it's game over. Very well built, solid, doesn't get hot particularly and is a breeze to operate and instinctively tweak while a mix plays. It reminds me of programming a good synth, how easy they are, adjust here and there until it all sounds perfect. It is not complex at all, very musical and 'obvious' once you've spent an hour with it.

Recall is easy considering the options, thanks to the stepped pots. And most of the deeper (held) functions you'll rarely need to adjust once you've tuned it to your tastes so after that it's just like using any bus compressor but with a Dynamic Eq included 'for free' and some extra tonal flavours if you want them.

Works amazing well inserted into SSL's Fusion, I recommend the pairing for sure (insert pre-eq for best results).

Lastly it's a really cool looking unit with nice lighting and the 'badge' of honour that is SSL (that clones lack) and is a no brainer even if cost a third more again.

There's nothing I don't like about it and have used it already on a few mixes. I would say it (and the fusion) are more geared towards mixing, stems and mix bus (and drum bus) rather than mastering but you could use this in psuedo mastering (there are probably better mastering compressors out there but I doubt there's a better mix compressor esp in this price range).

Dynamic EQ is really, really good and helps take a mix into space... other bus comps don't have anything like this feature.

Lots of buttons for finger-poking. Endless hours spent twisting knobs. Too complicated.

I really want an SSL compressor in my chain, but I'm disapppointed in the knob layout on this, with the knobs on the right mirroring the knobs on the left. Every other two channel piece of gear (except Manley) has the knobs laid out the same on both sides -- because it is easier to understand -- easier to reach for the knobs intuitively.

You can argue that the mirrored layout can become intuitive, too, once you get used to it. But that argument doesn't work because you CAN'T get used to it when your hands are quickly bouncing back and forth between racks full of gear AND EVERY OTHER DEVICE HAS THE KNOBS LAID OUT NORMALLY.

I don't like the knob layout on my Manley Vari-Mu for the same reason. Too many times I have turned the wrong knob on the right side because the knobs are in the wrong place. The mirror layout is a mere stylistic quirk and I hope other manufacturers ignore it.

The SSL Bus + is the perfect companion to my SSL Fusion. They were so clearly made for each other and integrate together perfectly in both quality and features. The bus comp section is very accurate and smooth. It doesn't smear the transients like a lot of other bus compressors do. The different modes make it very versatile and the sound is always clear and punchy. The low THD setting is fantastic as it helps keep the low end clear and punchy. The 4K mode is also great slowing you to go from very clear and transparent all the way up to very dirty with a lot of character and everywhere in between. Lastly the dynamic EQ is a very cool feature and I am looking forward to putting it to good use on upcoming mixes.

I got to say, I was glad I passed up on the fusion. But this one I couldn't. Anything you run through this box just sounds amazing. This is not an in-depth review. Just first impressions. And let me say this. You will not be disappointed.