Cytomic The Glue SSL compressor plugin review

[thatshit109]

i dont know if you made that beat i can get off that mf!

[Sweetassour]

You do realise that they are all based on the SSL bus compressor and that the glue is the only one which has extra features which for all we know unintentionally gives it an unfair advantage. So if you name a compressor "SSL" of "GLUE" people will compare it, get over it. So do you now realise where the "fair" comes in? lol

[SoundsAndGear]

@Sweetassour lol, why are you still trying? Of course people will compare, but you're saying a plugin is "unfair" like there is some regulation or authority they have to answer to. Different products man, each with their own interpretation based off of a similar idea...the ssl. "fair" isn't a concept when comparing plugins, just move on man, it's not worth your time or mine.

[Sweetassour]

This is my opinion,

Waves SSL = ok / boring, not much gain

Cytomic = better but nothing special, softclipping makes it beefy = not fair?

SSL bus comp = most gain without softclip, really brings out the sounds, love it

[SoundsAndGear]

@Sweetassour cool, thanks for the feedback. As far as not fair...not sure that really makes any sense? What is the fairness in comparison too? They each do their thing differently, two are a direct emulation, the Glue is "based on" with it's own features added.

[Sweetassour]

@SoundsAndGear In fairness to the other two not having the extra features which gives it the advantage. Either way, if you use the same parameters on all three the SSL native will sound the loudest and punchiest. Also if you're implying that the glue is different then why is it "the glue SSL" in the title? It is or it's not. Anyway they're all "based on" only the glue has extra features to help it out some. JMO

[SoundsAndGear]

@Sweetassour I guess I still don't see where "fairness" matters? They are different products, they are not all supposed to sound identical, that's the point. The Glue has an "advantage" towards what? They are just products, there's no advantage to have, only differences. I guess I just didn't understand what the "advantage" was in reference to. IMO SSL should be the best at capturing their own sound if you want direct emulaiton.

[Sweetassour]

@SoundsAndGear Again, in fairness to the other two due to the glues extra feat.

No advantage? Why don't you just use any compressor then and save yourself the confusion. If the SSL is renowned for it's qualites then ofcourse there is an advantage but if you're not familiar with such compressors or the differences between their qualities then it makes no sense for you to comment on them. As I said IMO if compressor A is louder and punchier then compressor B then compressor A is better.

[SoundsAndGear]

@Sweetassour LOL my point is why is there a discussion about "fairness"? They are different products! There is nothing to be 'fair" about. If you prefer one over the other that's fine. But there is no way a feature of one makes it "unfair" for the others. They are not taking a test in which they all have to be equal in features. That's like saying one synth has an unfair advantage because it has 4 osc instead of 2! It's just different. That's my point. Nothing to be fair or unfair about.

[Sweetassour]

@SoundsAndGear But it's not just any synth dude is it, they're all supposed to be emulating the SSL bus comp so..... common man. Don't make me repeat myself again please.

[SoundsAndGear]

@Sweetassour Repeat yourself as many times as you wish, you fail to realize that calling a product "unfair" makes no sense. You would have been better just stating which one you liked an why, when you talk about "fairness" in relation to products, it just doesn't make sense. Again, there is nothing to be "fair" about, each company has their own ideas and design philosophies. I already agreed with you that SSL should have the best results making a software based on their own gear.

[hiphopdied1213]

Keep doing your thing man. Im loving the reviews. Real straight forward.

[SoundsAndGear]

@hiphopdied1213 thanks fam, appreciate the feedback.

[LzI]

This is hands down the best compressor I've used. I've used ALOT of them and it comes damn close to the oroginal hardware. And it beats the crap out of waves / UAD IMO.

[SoundsAndGear]

@LzI yeah I love it, I don't know how it compares to the hardware but many say it's close, all I care about is the sound and how it works, and this one always does the job right.

[fedderf123]

Well if the glue only costs 99 dollar and it sounded pretty close to the wave bundle...they did a pretty good job.

[SoundsAndGear]

@fedderf123 I don't know if the wave bundle would be the standard for everyone, I think it just comes down to sound, and I know many that prefer this over the wave version, just like many who prefer the wave versions over this, it's all a matter of taste. All of them have free demos though, so it's all good :)

[fedderf123]

Same quality as the waves ssl strip? Youtube does not have exellent audio :-)On the drums it looked/sounded nice. On the master i could'nt tell.

[SoundsAndGear]

@fedderf123 master is A little more transparent but you can tweak it to your liking. Of course I would suggest downloading the demo as youtube quality is not the best :) I don't use Waves so I can't say but many who do have told me they love this one. Of course like anything it's a matter of taste, I would download the 14 day trial and see what you think.

[FlaFlaBigoudi]

@fedderf123 I have the Waves SSL Stereo Compressor and tested the Glue and to my ears they sound pretty close one of each other. The Glue have more options than the Waves but if you buy the Waves SSL Bundle, in addition to the stereo compressor you get beautiful EQs and Channel Strips...

[HewittH]

Thanks for the demonstration. I felt like I needed to take a minute to compliment the loop. Did you program the piano part, or did you just grab it from somewhere to use for the demo? It sounded cool. :)

[SoundsAndGear]

@HewittH thanks man, I think I put together a few chops within Kontakt for this piano loop, it was a track I had sitting in Maschine so I just pulled it up for this demo.

[kb1629]

Thanks for the review. The glue has definitely bang for the buck. Other SSL emulations are like 250 dollars and up.

[SoundsAndGear]

@kb1629 I know right? lol, def a good one

[Kkidzz]

A killer combo is The Glue, DDMF IIEQPro and FabFilters Pro-L Limiter. With these three you have both an amazing Channel and Mastering chain.

[SoundsAndGear]

@Kkidzz nice! thanks for the input fam!

[SaturatedSkills]

@Kkidzz IIEQPro is one hella a EQ and it's only $20

[SoundsAndGear]

@SaturatedSkills gonna have to check it out man!

[AudioCzar]

you should do more Vst reviews instead of sound libraries

[SoundsAndGear]

@AudioCzar thanks, just doing what I like, sound libraries will remain the main thing as that's what most are looking for, but definitely want to do more effects, but like the sound libraries and instruments, it has to be something I like and would use myself :)