_DIONE
Analog BUS compressor with digital recall
100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom
_Dione
Analog bus compressor with digital recall
The legendary sound of the stereo bus compressor has been a cornerstone of countless recordings for over 40 years. Often referred to as “mixbus glue,” this compression style has set the industry standard. We proudly present _DIONE — a fully analog, iconic VCA compressor, now enhanced with digital recall for seamless workflow integration.
Main Features
_DIONE stereo bus compressor
ANALOG SOUND, DIGITAL CONTROL
DIONE is 100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom
VCA THAT 2181
The first and most important feature of _DIONE is that it’s a 100% analog device with +24dBu of headroom. Despite its digital control capabilities, the signal path remains fully analog, delivering the authentic VCA compression sound you expect.
It uses two THAT 2181 VCAs in the signal chain and an additional two in the sidechain detector for optimal performance.
Mix Knob for Parallel Compression
With the MIX knob, achieving parallel compression with _DIONE has never been easier! You can fine-tune the balance between the dry and compressed signals effortlessly.
Plus, _DIONE allows you to automate the MIX setting directly in your DAW. Want to push the compressor harder during a chorus? It’s simple—just record automation using the touch-sensitive encoder or draw automation lines directly in your DAW for precise control.
THD – Add Color to Your Mixes
THD stands for Total Harmonic Distortion, which introduces harmonic saturation to your signal, enriching it with warm, analog color. This adds depth and character, giving your audio a fuller, more musical tone.
Sidechain Filters
_DIONE sidechain filter functionality allows you to modify the signal going into the compressor’s detector.
It includes three high-pass filters at 60Hz, 90Hz, and 150Hz, along with two tilt filters featuring specially designed “curve” filters for enhanced control.
Four Ratio Settings
_DIONE offers selectable ratio settings of 1.5:1 and 2:1 for gentle mixbus processing, and 4:1 and 10:1 for a wide range of compression applications. These options provide flexibility to suit various mixing and mastering needs.
500 Series and ng500 Series Compatible
Regardless of its additional features, _DIONE is fully compatible with the 500 series standard*. Digital capabilities can be activated through the front panel mini USB socket for seamless integration.
Read more Read moreRegardless of its additional features, _DIONE is fully compatible with the 500 series standard*. Digital capabilities can be activated through the front panel mini USB socket for seamless integration.
The ng500 (Next Generation 500 series) extends the 500 series format, making _DIONE fully compatible with the _TITAN frame. This allows control of all devices in the chassis through a single USB or Ethernet cable.
*Important note about 500 series extension: ng500
Hardware A/B
Even when using _DIONE purely as an analog signal processor, you can effortlessly switch between two parallel settings at the press of a button, offering seamless flexibility and control.
Total Recall and Plugin Control
In addition to its classic analog compression capabilities, _DIONE offers one of the most sought-after features in the audio industry—TOTAL RECALL.
With full plugin control via VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and AAX DSP, _DIONE ensures compatibility with most major DAWs. This deep integration with your favorite DAW will revolutionize your workflow, allowing seamless control and recall of settings for maximum efficiency and convenience.
Analog Automation
Main Features Summary:
Other Features:
APP FOR MAC AND PC
Digital control features for fully analog units.
Specification
_Dione specification
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz (0.1dB) |
| THD+N (WET) | 0.008% (1kHz,0dBu) |
| THD+N (DRY) | 0.004% (1kHz,0dBu) |
| Input impedance | 10kohm |
| Output impedance | < 100ohm |
| Max gain | 21dB |
| Crosstalk | < -90dB |
| Attack | 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 (ms) |
| Release | 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, Auto (ms) |
| Ratio | 1.5, 2.4, 10 |
| SC Filter | 60, 90, 150, T1, T2 |
| THD (MID switch) | 1% |
| THD (HIGH switch) | 4% |
| Power consumption | 70mA/+16V and 50mA/-16V (per slot) |
| Unit dimensions | 76x133x158 mm |
| Box dimensions | 105x162x234 mm |
| Unit weight | 0,6 kg |
| Box weight | 0,8 kg |
| Warranty | 2 years |
User Manual
Download _Dione User Manual
_DIONE SAMPLES
To download high resolution files please use this link
_DIONE VIDEO STORIES
Watch the product video
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
There is no need to uninstall the WesAudio application before installing a new release. The update process will seamlessly overwrite the existing version.
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 “-”),
- ngTubeEQ – THD encoder on Channel 1,
- ng76 – “IN MODE” button,
- 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
