I fancy getting a new vst toy in the form of an SSL master buss comp. I see that the waves ssl bundle is pretty cheap at the mo, just wondering how you guys think it compares to say Cytomic Glue or Steven Slates VBC which is only $84 for a bundle of 3.. Or are there any other gems that could be contenders?
 
Cheers
 
bibs

Have used The Glue from Cytomic for a long time now and very happy with it.

The SSL Duende Native ...who would know better how a console sounds then
the Manufacturer..

IK Buss Comp...quite nice...

The Waves SSL Bundle is $184 at Plugindiscounts...no brainer at that price if you're using Waves...
as you get the E and G channels and the Buss Comp...

And the PC4K Buss Compressor from Cake...

This seems to be the MOST modeled Buss Compressor out there...I know there are more...

Tokyo Dawn's Kotelnikov is definitely a contender, and it's FREE. Don't let the free part put you off; it's as good as anything out there for mastering.

I've never heard of the Kotelnikov.
Definitely going to check that one out.

CL2Zero
I've never heard of the Kotelnikov.
Definitely going to check that one out.

Thanks for the tip, bitflipper.

i use Waves Rennaisance comp for master buss compression, 
i mix into it from the start.
it's very smooth and transparent.
 
sometimes i'll use C1, for very mild compression, 
typically 1.25:1, 2db of reduction max about 50ms attack and 80 release or ARC release

I was going to make a thread, but found this one. I'm trying to finish up a new song this weekend, and I have these mastering comps inserted to test, and play with them all. Kotelnikov, TB Bus comp, T-Racks Bus comp, DC8C2, Fab Filter Pro-C and T-Racks Precision comp/Lim. I believe I prefer Kotelnikov, Pro-C and DC8C2 so far because I can filter out the bass easier with those. I'm going to give each a good run through...I've only spent an hour or so playing with the 6 of them so far.

bitflipper
Tokyo Dawn's Kotelnikov is definitely a contender, and it's FREE. Don't let the free part put you off; it's as good as anything out there for mastering.

I have to whole heartedly agree with BitFlipper on this one.  I have the Gentlemen's Edition of the Kotelnikov (it is still at an incredible price point) and it is an insanely transparent and versatile compressor with advanced features that make it ideally suited for mastering purposes.  The ability to both manipulate low frequency input content and shape the frequency response in a wide band dynamic way is incredibly powerful.  A sleeper product that should definitely be given a close look. IHTH....

I have The Glue which is great but I picked up Native Instrument's solid buss compressor recently and I must admit I think it's slightly better than The Glue.  Emphasis on the slightly!