SSL Fusion Analog Master Bus Processor

As an all-analogue 2U stereo outboard processor, the SSL Fusion was created specifically with the modern hybrid studio in mind. The SSL Fusion introduces six completely new analogue coloration tools designed to bring the perfect combination of added tonal character, weight, and space to your mix bus or stereo stems, with the detail, warmth, and finesse that only real analogue circuits can provide.

The SSL sonic legacy is built upon a much-emulated collection of analogue audio processing tools that have featured in generations of studio consoles; pristine microphone preamps, classic Channel EQ & Dynamics, the legendary Stereo Bus Compressor, the Listen Microphone Compressor, and the unique SSL summing bus. Fusion takes SSL into a new era with the introduction of a suite of new analogue processing tools that offer exceptional tonal character and versatility. The SSL Fusion expands the processing palette for hybrid studio owners and is a superb partner for the SSL Stereo Bus Compressor.

Since SSL has always been known for clever connectivity and features that streamline and accelerate production workflow, Fusion fits right in with a collection of workflow enhancing features including: +/-12dB Input and Output Trim controls, an Input overload LED, large peak-hold metering, a front-end 3rd order High Pass Filter with three selectable cut off frequencies, and tri-color status indicators for the Vintage Drive and HF Comp/LMC sections. A set of XLR connections can be used either as a Stereo Insert for stereo mix bus processing or switched to function as a Mid-Side (MS) circuit enabling separate compressors or EQ to be applied to the middle (center) and sides of a stereo signal. In Stereo Insert mode the insert point can be switched to pre-Violet EQ, when in MS mode the insert can be switched to pre-Stereo Image controls. Input and Output connections are via XLR.

The SSL Fusion features five analogue processors that can be used discretely or combined:

• Vintage Drive - is a non-linear harmonic enhancement circuit that brings cohesion and strength to your mix. Drive and Density controls interact to produce harmonic saturation and soft compression derived from overloading an analogue circuit. The SSL Fusion Vintage Drive can be used lightly for subtle thickening saturation or driven hard for more extreme distortion.
• The SSL Violet EQ - a new minimum phase-shift, two-band shelving equalizer. The Fusion brings the first new SSL analogue EQ circuit in more than 25 years and draws on the SSL legacy of carefully selected frequencies and response curves to create a musical and intuitive EQ designed to quickly dial in low-end weight and high-end sheen. High and Low frequency circuits each offer four switched frequency points and +/-9dB attenuation.
• The High Frequency Compressor featured in the SSL Fusion delivers the distinctive sound of high frequency rounding in the analogue domain. A compressor that effects high frequencies only, optimized for smooth and transparent harshness reduction and a tape-like high-frequency roll off – great for taming brittle high frequency fizz.
• SSL Fusion Full band LMC - Listen Microphone Compressor with wet / dry control - The SSL R&D team have something to tell you... To celebrate the launch of Fusion at AES New York back in 2018 and to thank existing and future Fusion users, SSL R&D team have unveiled a secret hidden 6th processor available in ALL Fusion's. To access the hidden 6th LMC processor - hold down the HF Compressor ‘in’ button for 5 seconds and unlock full band LMC mode. X-Over becomes a wet/dry parallel mix control!
• The Stereo Image enhancer provides a true analogue Mid-Side circuit for the SSL Fusion that manipulates the Side signal, allowing for widening and spatial manipulation of the stereo field.
• A switched, custom-designed SSL Transformer circuit introduces subtle low-frequency saturation to the SSL Fusion, alongside a high-frequency phase-shift. The result is a simultaneous thickening of the low-end and an added sparkle to the high-end.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SSL FUSION

With the development of Fusion, SSL set out to create a new piece of analogue equipment that would enhance any engineer’s studio setup and easily attach to a pair of inputs and outputs on an audio interface or an analogue desk/summing mixer. In true SSL fashion, this piece of equipment would seek to enhance not only the sound of the mix but also the workflow of whatever situation it would be thrust into - a new analogue ‘sidekick’, if you will. The critical path in any mix leads to the master mix bus, where all the individual instruments are bound together.

In today’s hybrid studio, the prevalence and importance of mix bus processing is ever-present. The DAW’s mix bus inserts slots are often stacked high with plug-ins seeking to inject various aspects of analogue mojo or magic. However, even after all insert slots are filled, that authentic analogue edge is still lacking and can often prove difficult to achieve convincingly when mixing inside the box alone. Engineers often look towards multiple pieces of real analogue outboard equipment instead and this was the seed from which Fusion as an idea began to grow.

SSL started the journey through months of research - subjectively listening to and objectively measuring a vast array of analogue equipment, to pinpoint all the most desirable analogue characteristics and behaviors. This “hit list” of differing sonic flavors, difficult to achieve with digital emulations alone, formed the base from which Fusion’s six analogue color circuits would be engineered.

“The Analogue Hit List”

• #1 - A rich analogue EQ with gentle shelving filters.
• #2 - Smooth top-end rounding, in the analogue domain.
• #3 - Powerful, full bandwidth dynamics 'crush' processing with balance for controlled parallel signal balance.
• #4 - Additional harmonics and gradual saturation that emerge from an analogue ‘sweet spot’.
• #5 - Wider stereo imaging with more depth via true Mid/Side processing.
• #6 - Transformer mojo.

The first circuit to emerge as a result of the work was the VIOLET EQ, a new SSL shelving EQ with a refined ±9dB gain range. Next came the HF COMPRESSOR circuit as a tool to tame unwanted top-end brittleness and restore a natural analogue roll-off. Then came the VINTAGE DRIVE circuit, SSL’s new non-linear saturation circuit that was tweaked over several months to hone its unique character. The STEREO IMAGE circuit followed as a way of providing the often much-missed analogue mid-side processing. The custom-designed TRANSFORMER circuit completed the final piece of the puzzle and again involved many rounds of fine-tuning to settle on the design.

But SSL didn’t just design Fusion in the isolation of SSL HQ; when the first prototypes were complete SSL sent them off to a selection of trusted engineers and made further adjustments to the circuits based on their feedback. During the development of FUSION there were many trials and experiments with the five analogue circuits.

One variant of particular interest was an alternative mode for the HF COMPRESSOR section, making it operate across the full audio spectrum and so creating a STEREO LMC (Listen Mic Compressor). This work was done late in the development cycle and with little time to validate before the public release of Fusion, hence it was held back from the launch and left as an 'easter egg' in the unit, with a plan to announce if later validation went well and if the circuit variance was thought useful.

As the design of the HF COMPRESSOR section was based on the legendary SSL Listen Mic Compressor circuit, it came as no surprise that this alternative STEREO LMC mode would definitely be a useful addition and hence SSL publicly announced (a little later than originally anticipated) how to access this 'new' processing feature and five tools became six.

Let The Fun Begin... And with that, you have a brief insight into how Fusion came to be. Fusion provides an armory of mix tools at your disposal and will help you arrive at the sound you want with ruthless efficiency! Give your mix the analogue edge it deserves. Happy Mixing.