Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Dynamics

Bus FORCE

Arturia

Where to get itAvailable from Arturiaarturia.com

Bus FORCE is a parallel dynamics processor designed for bus and mastering use, combining three independently routed audio paths (Dry, Compressor, Saturation) with modular processing chains. It offers flexible routing through EQ, synthesizer-style filter, VCA compressor, and clipping stages, making it suitable for everything from transparent bus glue to creative multiband dynamics and parallel compression.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

01Three independent parallel audio paths (Dry, Comp, Sat) with individual volume controls
02VCA compressor with Force parameter (0.00–10.00, becomes limiter at ~5.00, negative compression above)
03Three-band EQ inspired by Pultec designs: Low Shelf (curve 0–10, ±15 dB gain, 10 Hz–30 kHz), Presence Peak (Q 0–10, ±15 dB, 20 Hz–20 kHz)
04Synthesizer-style State-Variable Filter with HPF and LPF (12 dB/octave, Peak resonance 0–10.0), Band-Pass mode when both engaged
05Analog saturation module with Overdrive (0–50 dB) and Curve toggle for mid/high-frequency grit emphasis
06Compressor attack 1–300 ms, release 1–500 ms, threshold −50 to 0 dB, makeup gain 0–30 dB
07Clipping module with threshold −24 to +24 dB for distortion and punch on transients
0836 possible routing combinations with per-path EQ assignment and multiple side-chain options

Things to Try

  • 01Set Attack to 75 ms and Release to 30 ms with Force at 3.00 and Threshold at −24 dB for gentle but effective bus compression
  • 02Use HPF at ~20 Hz to remove sub-frequencies below hearing range, then LPF at ~12 kHz to soften highs and reduce hiss
  • 03Engage Clipping with low threshold values (turn knob left) on drum sounds for punchier, more effective transient control than a limiter
  • 04Combine low Release time (1 ms) with slow Attack and high Force values blended with Dry Path for extreme parallel compression results
Formats
VSTVST3AUAAXSTANDALONE
User Manual↗

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