SynthBussLite is an interesting saturation effect by Rob Chiarelli and Final Mix Software, offered as a free download from their website until December 31st, 2014.
I haven’t tested the plugin yet so I can’t really tell you how it sounds and whether it’s worth the download or not, but it definitely seems like it could be useful tool. As I’ve mentioned numerous times before, I like using plugins which are optimized for a single task. Such plugins have the potential to speed up your mixing workflow and there’s really no need to use complicated tools if you have a simple tool which does the job well.
Judging by the description on the developer’s website, SynthBussLite is basically a signal processor designed for use on keyboard instruments. It features five different algorithms which are optimized for five different keyboard instrument types (synthesizer, organ, piano and two different electric piano types).
Now, I honestly have no idea how it affects the sound of your instrument (there are no audio or video demos available yet), however the description says that it adds character to the keyboard instruments without clashing with the vocal frequencies. So my guess is that the plugin saturates the signal and perhaps does some multi-band compression or equalizing to make some extra space for the vocals to fit in.
Taking a look at the other products which are available on the download page linked below, it seems that the Rob Chiarelli signature bundle (which this plugin is a part of) will feature a series of simple mixing tools which will probably give the best results when used together on various elements of a mix. It’s an interesting idea, so it all depends on how these plugins will perform in practice.
The regular price of the plugin is $19 but you can currently get it for free if you apply the coupon code ‘PEACEONEARTH’ at checkout. The price of the item in your shopping cart will be automatically reduced to $0 and you can then proceed to download your free copy of SynthBussLite. Please note that this is a time limited offer and that it will expire on Decemebr 31st, 2014.
Download
SynthBussLite is available for free download via Final Mix Software (21.5 MB download size, EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AAX plugin format for Windows & Mac).
10 Comments
UserFX
onFirstly, the setup.exe can be extracted with 7-zip and the plugin can be installed manually this way ;-)
My first impression:
– the plugin needs an output level knob/fader!!!
– the drive fader (basically input) should have 24dB instead of only 12dB
– probably not gonna keep this one, with IGVI and, Bootsy, Saturation Knob and a few others it’s hard to justify more free saturation plugins in my folder unless they’re really good and special
Bedroom Producers Blog
onThanks for sharing your first impressions UserFX!
UserFX
onForgot to mention, the setup has Visual C installers in it, so the plugin needs VC to run. If you install it manually and it doesn’t run, you most likely haven’t got VC on your system yet.
yiNXs
onThe effect is very subtle. I can’t even hear a difference when I turn off saturation (but that could be working as intended). I think you’re right about it doing some (dynamic) equalizing and (mild) saturating, probably in reversed order, to emphasize the selected instrument. Rhodes become a little warmer, synths little brighter, pianos a bit more present. The little effect is has didn’t really sound good to me though, also not in a mix. Then again, I may be using it wrong. Too bad there’s so little info on this plugin.
I don’t think I’ll be using this much.
yiNXs
onI found a review video of one it’s sibling plugins, which seems similar enough to be useful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU0vf1WMLKA
SynthBussLite is available for free download via Final Mix Software—not work! only 19$ !!!
Bedroom Producers Blog
onUse the coupon code ‘PEACEONEARTH’ at checkout.
sorry — ^)