New Music Gear Monday: Brainworx bx_glue Buss Compressor Plugin

I can remember a time when we never even considered putting a compressor on the mix buss except for a quick check of how a mix might sound on the radio, but those days passed as soon as SSL introduced its famed mix buss compressor on its consoles. Today it’s a given that you’ll use one on a mix and there are plenty to choose from. That said, there’s always room for one more, especially if it takes a different approach, and that’s what you’ll get with the new Brainworx bx_glue buss compressor plugin.

To start with, bx_glue has your standard compressor controls in Ratio, Threshold, Attack and Release, but as you’ll see in the top display, what’s different is that it splits the signal into two bands. Yes, that makes it a simple multiband compressor, but two bands is usually all that’s needed. You can change the crossover frequency by just grabbing the center line in the display, or adjusting the Crossover frequency in the number display right below.

Unique Features

The plugin will act as a typical VCA buss compressor if you set the Band Link control to 100% so it’s basically just one band. You can also adjust Band Tilt so it leans either towards the bass or treble side.

Another unique feature is the Tone section, which allows you to emulate hardware compressors by adding saturation and transformer models to the signal. You can select the type of harmonic distortion from Classic to Dirty to Off, and then dial it in the XL% control. A Transformer adjustment allows you to select between Nickel and Iron transformer models.

Finally an Emphasis section allows you to either emphasize or attenuate a selected frequency. This is done with the Frequency and Emphasis controls, with the TILT/TUB switch that selects between boost or cut.

bx_glue works on either Mac or PC and with any plugin format. It’s now available for $189 from Plugin Alliance. You can find out more here, or watch the video below.

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