ngBusComp
NEXT GENERATION BUS COMPRESSOR
Next generation bus compressor with digital recall
ngBusComp
Next generation bus compressor with digital recall and automation.
Legendary sound of stereo bus compressor has been true companion on countless recordings since 40 years. Often recognized as “mixbus glue”, this particular compression sound has become industry standard. We have improved this design to create a whole new level of versatility with seemless DAW integration –
We present ngBusComp – fully analog, dual mono, stereo, mid-side compressor, with digital recall.
Main Features
ngBusComp fully analog, dual mono, stereo, mid-side compressor.
ANALOG SOUND, DIGITAL CONTROL
True ANALOG sound with extremely convenient control!
TRUE QUAD VCA THAT 2181
First and most important point – ngBusComp is 100% analog device with +26dBu of headroom.
Regardless its digital control nature, fully analog signal path provides top VCA compression sound.
Four THAT 2181 VCA in signal chain, and one in side chain detector for each channel!
STEREO / DUAL MONO compression!
ngBusComp detectors can be linked and unlinked anytime – what allows us true bus compression behavior, as dual mono compression when needed!
Relative channel linking!
Channels can be linked/unlinked anytime! It is allowed to have different settings on both channels and still manage those in a relative way!
We can work on Mid-Side mix separately for each channel, but if we would like to change ballance of whole track, it is enough to engage “parameter link” and both channels Make Up gain will be adjusted relatively keeping same amount of volume difference!
MID-SIDE operation mode
ngBusComp supports mid-side opeartion, you can give your side channel diffferent compression settings then middle channel!
Selectable output circuit – choose your side!
With ngBusComp you can select your output stage to be either electronically balanced, or transformer balanced with preceise output PAD!
Drive Carnhill transformers!
In IRON mode it is possible to use Make up gain to drive the transformers, and special output PAD allow to turn signal down!
PAD – passive attenuator managed via relay cascade up to 15dB with 1dB step.
MIX KNOB FOR PARALLEL COMPRESSION
With MIX knob at your disposal, parallel compression has never been simpler to achieve!
With ngBusComp your MIX setting can be automated in your DAW, ever wanted to push your compressor harder in chorus? Nothing simpler! Just record automation using touch sensitive encoder, or draw your automation lines in DAW!
Proprietary THD implementation with very detailed variable control!
THD stands for “Total harmonic distortion” and it allows to saturate your signal with beautiful analog color. For ngBusComp it can be dialed in very gently or very appearent thanks to variable control with dedicated knob!
PREDEFINED SIDE CHAIN FILTERS
ngBusComp Side chain filter functionality allows to modify signal going into the compressor’s detector.
It includes 3 high pass filters at 60,90 and 150 Hz, and 2 tilt filters which are special “curve” designed filters.
FIVE RATIO SETTINGS
ngBusComp provides selectable ratios of 1.5:1 and 2:1 for gentle mixbus processing, 4:1 and 10:1 for large variety of applications, and INF mode – to hit and crash your transients!
External Side chain!
ngBusComp allows to create custom side chain signal to control each channel of compressor!
HARDWARE A/B/C
Even using ngBusComp as pure analog signal processor you can easily switch between three memory settings with a magic of a simple buttons.
USB or Ethernet connectivity!
ngBusComp supports direct USB connection, or you can also managed it in your local network, just plug in ethernet cable to Your router!
Detailed metering!
Each channel shows detail metering – IN / OUT and Gain reduction!
Of course analog metering is forwared to plug-in instance!
ANALOG AUTOMATION
I’m sure all of us wanted to use different device settings based on song section. Now it is possible! Just draw automation lines in your DAW and your analog device will follow!
And remember, you can use five touch sensitive encoders to record automation TO your DAW!
TOTAL RECALL AND PLUGIN CONTROL
Along with classic analog compressor You receive most demanded feature in audio industry – TOTAL RECALL.
Full plugin control through VST2/VST3/AU/AAX/AAX DSP – makes ngBusComp compatible with most, if not all major DAWs.
Total integration with your beloved DAW will change your workflow forever!
Main features summary:
APP FOR MAC AND PC
Digital control features for fully analog units.
Specification
ngBusComp specification
| THD+N < 0.03% (1kHz,0dBu) | at 0dBu < 0.006% |
| Frequency response | 0-300kHz (-3dB) |
| Input impedance | >10kohm |
| Output impedance | < 50ohm |
| Crosstalk | > 90dB |
| Max input level | + 26dBu |
| Max output level | + 26dBu |
| Dynamic range | > 120dB |
| Attack | 0.1, 0.3, 1,3, 10, 30 (ms) |
| Release | 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, Auto (s) |
| Ratio | 1.5, 2, 4, 10, INF |
| Sidechain Filter | 60, 90, 150, T1, T2 |
| THD | 0% to 8% |
| Dimensions | 135x483x252mm |
| Box dimensions | 274x550x382mm |
| Unit weight | 7,95 kgs |
| Box weight | 10 kgs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
User Manual
Download ngBusComp User Manual
I like the WesAudio stuff mainly for how it sounds.
Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ariana Grande, ZZ Top, Justin Bieber
This is technology that I’ve been waiting for a long time. It’s taken this long…it’s taken Wes Audio to be the ones to have seamlessly made this digital control work well. Wes Audio has created an analog compressor that sounds amazing and has the flexibility of any great stereo analog box
Beyoncé, Mariah Carey,James Brown, Lady Gaga, Notorious BIG, Black Eyed Peas,R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, Puff Daddy, Tupac Shakur, and many others
WesAudio nailed it with ngBusComp. It's been on my mix bus since the first time I tried it. After A/B'ing it with the original quad VCA unit, I was honestly blown away by how much better it is.
Beyonce, Jay-Z, Fka Twigs, and more.
I did a lot of a/b with my other SSL clones and plugins. I find that ngBusComp sounds better than all of them.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Multi-platinium “Driver’s License”, Carlie Rae Jepsen, Niko Rubio, Giorgio Moroder, Lady Gaga, Lost Kings, Melanie Martinez, LP, Bebe Rexha and more….
The ability to control an analog compressor from within the DAW has become a valuable feature to my workflow. The Dione is a great sounding unit and is a perfect example of where the future of pro audio is heading.
Gold & Platinum award producer
_MIMAS is as good as my other 1176 in the rack…I love this technology.
The diones are so very good. It’s such a flexible all purpose compressor. I haven’t found anything it doesn’t do well. Parallel compression on drum bus, compressing multiple keyboards in order to level them all out etc… they are sonically rich sounding, and the distortion modes sound fantastic.
I had several SSL type compressors in the years and for me there’s zero doubt, the WesAudio _Dione is by far the best in that category. _Dione never left my 2bus since the day I got it.
These days it’s really easy to excited about all of the technology we have access to. Which is also another the reason why I do my best to try and spot what really shines in this industry. To me, Wesaudio has something really special going on. Not only are the analog components up to snuff…but I believe they have the potential to be the leaders of the 500 series format. They have the analog/digital hybrid down to a refined science without the need of middle hardware. But most importantly, their stuff simply sounds great!
_MIMAS – This first enhanced 500-series module from Wes Audio is both convenient and impressive: it provides an updated version of the classic 1176 compressor, but with full remote-control facilities via a VST 3/AAX plug-in.
_DIONE – A well thought-out interpretation of the classic SSL bus compressor design that genuinely brings something new to the table.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
If the module doesn’t react to any changes to the knobs on the front panel, the first necessary step is to rewrite firmware into the flash memory (Factory reset procedure re-writes firmware into internal flash memory – it doesn’t affect anyhow unit configuration). To proceed with factory reset, please follow below steps:
- Connect unit either:
- Through front panel USB socket,
- Or keep the unit in ng500 chassis – _TITAN, but please note that chassis has to be connected to the PC/MAC either via USB or Ethernet cable.
- POWER OFF your 500 series chassis.
- Depends on the product please press following front panel control:
- _MIMAS – RATIO button,
- _DIONE – RATIO button,
- _RHEA – THD button,
- _PROMETHEUS – HIGH CUT encoder (top-right encoder),
- _HYPERION – LMF GAIN encoder,
- _CALYPSO – MENU encoder.
- While keeping this control (button/encoder) pressed, POWER ON your 500 series chassis.
- LEDs should present a strange pattern.
- Now open GConManager:
- WIN: C:/Program Files (x86)/WesAudio/GConManager.exe
- MAC: /Applications/WesAudio/GConManager.app
- Or click on the WesAudio “Tray” icon, and select “Open GConManager”
- Go to _UPGRADE application.
- Hit start!
If the module doesn’t react to any changes to the knobs on the front panel, the first necessary step is to rewrite firmware into the flash memory (Factory reset procedure re-writes firmware into internal flash memory – it doesn’t affect anyhow unit configuration). To proceed with factory reset, please follow below steps:
- Connect the unit to either USB or Ethernet.
- POWER OFF your unit.
- Depends on the product please press following front panel control:
- ngBusComp – far left Ratio on Channel 1 (Ratio “-”),
- ngLEVELER – use a small screwdriver and press button available on the rear panel via a small hole in the chassis.
- While keeping this control (button/encoder) pressed, POWER ON your unit.
- LEDs should present a strange pattern.
- Now open GConManager:
- WIN: C:/Program Files (x86)/WesAudio/GConManager.exe
- MAC: /Applications/WesAudio/GConManager.app
- Or click on the WesAudio “Tray” icon, and select “Open GConManager”
- Go to _UPGRADE application.
- Hit start!
This is a very common issue and in most cases the root cause lies in the connection of the unit and audio interface. If that happens it should be checked if audio interface input isn’t connected to the chassis input and if audio interface output isn’t connected to chassis output. As this initially would seem to be entirely wrong and shouldn’t work at all, as all our units implement “True Bypass” via relays, the unit will pass a signal when the bypass is engaged. The reason for that is that the relay is in fact hard wiring input to the output, and thus the unit will pass the signal, as it doesn’t go through any active circuit of the unit.
This is actually how it is supposed to work, so after the plug-in instance is created, please use a small triangle button which usually is on the bottom side of the plug-in and select proper HW ID from the drop down menu. If the drop down menu doesn’t list any hardware units, please check Your connectivity and other possible root causes in this FAQ.
This is a wide topic, and there may be at least several root causes, but there are few things that should be checked. However, the first and most important thing is to double check that GConManager doesn’t list this device in the _CONFIG app. If this is the case, it means that WesAudio unit can’t connect on the OS level, and some of the below steps may help:
- First of all double check if module connection is properly executed, this procedure is described here.
- USB specification indicates that USB 2.0 works up to 5 meters. This is however not entirely true, as it strongly depends on the peripherals that unit is connected to. Even if our modules are USB 2.0 compatible, your USB port could support USB 3.0 – USB is a backward compatible protocol, so it may be that USB 3.0 cable length limit should be considered which is 2 meters. We would recommend having a USB cable up to 2 meters to remove those limitations from the equation.
- USB HUB is very common root cause to those problems, if module can’t connect via HUB – just for the sake of the test, it is mandatory to connect unit directly to PC/MAC to verify if the problem isn’t caused by it.
- Please note any system warnings attached to “WesAudio Tray Icon”.
As USB controllers have limited capacity it could be a reason for random unit disconnection. Usually, it happens when a lot of USB devices are plugged into the PC/MAC. The usual behavior would be that the unit works normally, and after reboot it doesn’t, but it strongly depends on the OS implementation so exact reaction could be a little bit different. If this is suspected, just for the test, it would be good to disconnect most of the devices from the USB ports, reboot PC/MAC and double check the connectivity from stability point of view. If it leads to the conclusion that this is the root cause of the problem, we would recommend using a decent USB hub, and ideally a TB/USB dock station which tends to offload a lot of responsibilities from our PC/MAC.
If the unit was working fine, and suddenly it couldn’t connect (it is not visible in the GConManager _CONFIG app) that could lead to the conclusion that some devices were added to our USB line, and we could have problems with the USB controller inside PC/MAC. In that case please check the description in the above “Unit disconnects by itself”.
GConManager in Admin mode enables special functionalities which are used during WesAudio units calibration.
OSX:
- Please open terminal.
- Copy-Paste following command:
open /Applications/WesAudio/GConManager.app --args --admin
WINDOWS:
- Go to “START” and open “Command Line”.
- copy paste this command:
"c:\Program Files (x86)\WesAudio\GConManager.exe" --admin
