Solid State Logic Fusion Analog Master Processor

A comprehensive overview of the various tools and features available in the Fusion processor developed by Solid State Logic (SSL). Fusion is designed to bring analog coloration and enhancement to your audio productions, offering a set of powerful tools to shape your mix. Let’s break down the key components and functionalities of Fusion:

Vintage Drive:

This tool adds harmonic enhancement to your mix, mimicking the gradual analog overload characteristics of vintage analog consoles and outboard gear. The Drive and Density controls work together to produce harmonics, soft-clipping, and natural compression reminiscent of pushing analog equipment to its tonal sweet spot.

Violet EQ:

The Violet EQ is a 2-band shelving equalizer designed for mix bus applications. It features a minimum-phase-shift design and offers four selectable frequency points for both low and high bands. The EQ enables you to quickly dial in low-end weight and high-end shimmer, making it a versatile tool for enhancing your mix’s tonal balance.

HF Compressor:

Fusion’s HF Compressor is designed to handle high frequencies only. It provides smooth and transparent harshness reduction and tape-like high-frequency roll-off, helping to control unwanted harshness or brittleness in a mix or individual tracks. It comes with fixed compressor parameters optimized for maximum transparency.

LMC Mode (Hidden in HF Compressor):

This hidden feature introduces the Listen Mic Compressor (LMC) from SSL’s 4000E studio consoles. Originally designed to avoid overloading studio communication mics, the LMC offers a “smashed” sound that adds energy to various sources like drum room mics, vocals, and guitars. It can be used to add impact to a source, and the HF Compressor’s X-Over control acts as a wet/dry knob in LMC mode.

Stereo Image Enhancer:

This feature provides a true-analog mid-side (M-S) circuit that allows you to manipulate the spatial aspects of the stereo field. The Width control adjusts the level of the side signal to widen or narrow the stereo image, while the Space control offers bass-frequency boost or cut to the side signal. It’s based on the concept of Stereo Shuffling for creative depth effects.

SSL Transformer:

The switchable SSL Transformer circuit adds gentle low-frequency harmonic saturation and high-frequency phase shift to your mix. This results in low-end thickening and added high-end sheen. The under-damped 600-ohm, 1:1-wound transformer contributes a subtle heft to the sound.

Fusion offers a range of tools that can be used individually or in combination to enhance different aspects of your mix. From harmonic saturation to equalization, spatial manipulation, and transformer-based tonal shaping, Fusion aims to provide a versatile set of analog processing tools for adding warmth, character, and dimension to your audio productions.

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