Brainworx bx_townhouse Buss Compressor is a meticulously modeled plugin emulation of a unique hardware compressor built in 1978 at the legendary Townhouse Studios in London. This one-of-a-kind compressor was crafted using components from Solid State Logic (SSL) consoles, predating the availability of standalone SSL bus compressors. The plugin aims to capture the essence of this early SSL-style compression, offering a touch more character and coloration than typical bus compressor emulations. It’s designed to provide that coveted analog warmth and cohesion to digital mixes, with a particular focus on rock and pop production. The bx_townhouse Buss Compressor features a straightforward interface reminiscent of classic hardware, with familiar controls for threshold, ratio, attack, release, and makeup gain. It also includes modern amenities like a mix knob for parallel compression and an external sidechain input. This plugin is intended to be a go-to tool for mix bus processing, group compression, and adding analog-style glue to various elements of a mix.
Pros:
• Unique emulation of a rare, custom-built hardware unit with a rich musical heritage
• Adds desirable coloration and character beyond typical SSL-style bus compressors
• Simple, intuitive interface with classic hardware-style controls
• Includes modern features like parallel compression and external sidechain
Cons:
• May be too colored for users seeking a completely transparent bus compressor
• Limited to bus and group processing scenarios, not ideal for individual tracks
The bx_townhouse Buss Compressor boasts a feature set that balances classic functionality with modern convenience. At its core, the plugin provides the essential controls found on the original hardware unit. The threshold knob allows users to set the point at which compression begins, while the ratio control determines the amount of gain reduction applied once the signal exceeds the threshold. The attack and release controls are stepped, mimicking the original hardware and providing quick, repeatable settings. These time constants are crucial in shaping the compressor’s response and greatly influence its character.
The plugin’s compression circuit is where much of its magic lies. It’s designed to emulate the behavior of the early SSL bus compressor components, which are known for their ability to add cohesion and energy to a mix. The bx_townhouse aims to take this a step further, offering a slightly more colored and vibey sound than typical SSL emulations. This additional character is particularly evident when pushing the compressor into more aggressive settings, where it can impart a pleasing thickness and excitement to the source material.
A key modern addition to the bx_townhouse is the mix knob, which allows for easy parallel compression. This feature enables users to blend the compressed signal with the dry input, providing more flexibility in controlling the overall impact of the compression. It’s particularly useful for achieving subtle bus compression that adds cohesion without overly squashing the dynamics of a mix.
The external sidechain input is another modern touch that expands the plugin’s versatility. This feature allows users to trigger the compression based on an external audio source, opening up creative possibilities for ducking and pumping effects, or for fine-tuning the compressor’s response to specific frequency ranges.
The bx_townhouse also includes a high-pass filter in the sidechain circuit. This filter helps prevent low frequencies from dominating the compressor’s behavior, allowing for more controlled and musical compression across the full frequency spectrum. It’s particularly useful when dealing with bass-heavy material or when trying to achieve consistent compression without excessive pumping.
Visually, the plugin sports a skeuomorphic design that closely resembles vintage hardware. This aesthetic choice not only adds to the vintage vibe but also provides a familiar and intuitive interface for users accustomed to working with hardware compressors. The large VU meter prominently displays gain reduction, allowing for quick visual feedback on the compressor’s activity.
In terms of sound quality, the bx_townhouse leverages Brainworx’s proprietary modeling technology to capture the nuances of the original hardware. This includes emulating the subtle non-linearities and harmonics introduced by the analog circuitry, which contribute to the plugin’s warm and musical character. The result is a compressor that can gently glue a mix together or add noticeable punch and excitement when pushed harder.
When comparing the bx_townhouse Buss Compressor to similar plugins, it occupies a unique space in the market. While there are numerous emulations of SSL-style bus compressors available, most of these focus on recreating the sound of later G-Series consoles. The bx_townhouse, in contrast, aims to capture the character of an earlier, custom-built unit, offering a slightly different flavor of compression.
Compared to plugins like the Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor or the Universal Audio SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor, the bx_townhouse tends to impart more color and character to the signal. It’s often described as having more “mojo” or vibe, making it particularly well-suited for rock and pop productions where a bit of extra excitement is desired. However, this additional coloration means it may be less suitable for situations where absolute transparency is required. In terms of functionality, the bx_townhouse holds its own against its competitors, offering a similar set of controls. The inclusion of the mix knob for parallel compression and the external sidechain input puts it on par with more modern plugin designs. However, some competing plugins offer more extensive metering options or additional parameters for fine-tuning the compression behavior.
This plugin is best for:
• Mix engineers working primarily in rock, pop, and other genres where cohesion and excitement are priorities
• Producers looking to add analog-style glue and character to in-the-box mixes
• Users seeking a bus compressor with a bit more color and vibe than typical SSL emulations
• Those who appreciate simple, hardware-style interfaces and workflows
Brainworx bx_townhouse Buss Compressor is a compelling option for mix engineers and producers seeking to add character and cohesion to their mixes. Its unique heritage as an emulation of a custom-built, early SSL-style compressor sets it apart from the multitude of bus compressor plugins on the market. The plugin excels at imparting a sense of analog warmth and excitement to digital productions, making it particularly well-suited for rock and pop genres. Its straightforward interface and classic control set make it easy to use, while modern features like the mix knob and external sidechain input expand its versatility. The bx_townhouse’s ability to gently glue a mix together or add noticeable punch when pushed harder makes it a versatile tool for various mixing scenarios. However, its colored character may not be ideal for all situations, particularly when absolute transparency is required. Despite this limitation, the bx_townhouse Buss Compressor stands out as a valuable tool for engineers looking to inject some analog mojo into their digital workflows, offering a unique flavor of compression that can help mixes stand out in today’s crowded music landscape.