Your secret
sonic weapon
Imagine a single effect that can be used on individual tracks, from snare to synth; on your bus channels for beautiful dynamics; on your stereo master for that instant polish you’ve been looking for.
Imagine being able to incorporate the priceless outboard gear and advanced parallel mixing techniques favored by industry professionals for decades, straight into your DAW.
From delicate tweaks to bold cranks, Bus FORCE is built to ignite the energy of your mix, with ultra-powerful parallel processing that’s a breeze to operate. Before you use any other plugin, use this one - whatever music you’re making.
Make drums smack
From perfectly-compressed snare impacts to trashy overhead saturation, using Bus FORCE on your drum bus will ensure that your rhythm section slams.
Make vocals sing
Bring out the harmonic richness, vowel depth, and emotional energy of a vocal performance with Bus FORCE’s multiple-module stereo workflow.
Make guitars pop
Whether it’s funk popping lines, crushing power chord stacks, or the resonant chime of a jumbo acoustic, Bus FORCE will bring it to life in a few clicks.
Make synths glow
Say no to background pads and lacklustre monosynth leads; run your synth tracks through Bus FORCE for perfect stereo fatness, richness, and color.
Make sidechains pump
Get the components of your mix talking to each other and get those dynamics pulsing to your beat for impactful drops and anthemic choruses.
Make your master bus shine
Give your whole project a subtle dose of shiny EQ and compression, or slam it with crispy stereo saturation - a one-stop shop for the perfect final mix.
Parallel processing
powerhouse
When used right, parallel processing can yield spectacular sonic results, unlocking a whole new level of detail and depth.
The ability to separate your audio source into different branches, each with its own array of effects and adjustments, then mix them all back together again may sound complicated - but that’s where Bus FORCE comes in.
By uniquely combining several studio-grade modules and advanced signal routing in a single plugin, Bus FORCE makes parallel processing simple and accessible for everyone.
Each effect comes with dozens of presets, many of them based on the settings used by critically-acclaimed engineers and studios. The presets also contain “sweet spot” pointers, to help you get the most out of each effect.
A classic low pass & high pass resonant filter based on the much-loved SEM filter, an Oberheim classic. Give your vocal sibilance room to breathe or dampen the sharpness and attack of your low-end - an extremely useful quick-fix for any audio application.
A proprietary VCA compressor, inspired by contemporary units like the Overstayer® Modular Channel. Built for punchy & modern applications, including switchable sidechain source detection and the all-powerful FORCE control, for smooth to explosive compression techniques.
Want to take your preset a step further? Open the Advanced Panel to access additional controls, modern enhancements, and bonus creative features that go beyond the capabilities of studio hardware.
Beatmaker secret weapon
Trap and hip hop instrumentals made heavier than ever with Bus FORCE's floor-shaking sidechain compression.
Perfect parallel power
Bus FORCE's all-in-one compression, filtering, saturation, and EQ can bring a track to life in a few clicks.
Bass breather
By scooping the mids and gently accentuating the low end, a bass guitar makes room for the rest of the mix while reinforcing its own foundations.
Master Processing perfection
Add crystalline clarity to your highs and harmonic depth to your lows, with a bit of groovy parallel compression for the perfect polished master bus.
On the down low
Pump the low end frequencies to give your electro funk grooves the strut they deserve - for this example, Bus FORCE makes the kick and synth bass steal the show.
Drum bus energy
Bring punch, depth, and transient clarity to your drum bus channel with Bus FORCE.
Choose your
path
3 signal paths are better than 1.
To achieve true parallel processing, you need multiple signal paths, each one separately affected in different ways, then mixed back together again to suit your taste.
Bus FORCE gives you 3 paths to work with: Dry, Comp, and Sat. Each of these paths is uniquely configured to utilize a different combination of Bus FORCE’s modules.
It really comes into its own, however, when you start to customize it. By having individual control over every aspect of the routing and individual module configuration, you can weave a web of sonic enhancement that’s totally unique to you.
Smashed compression with some low-pass rumble? Soft analog saturation with a mid-boost sprinkling for that ‘70s sound? Bus FORCE is your bespoke mixing console and mastering suite rolled into one.
Path blend
Choose how much of each path you want to include in the output signal - and for extra crunch and character, add a touch of limiter at the end of the chain with the sneaky Clipping module.
Path customization
Change how the paths interact with each other by removing or rerouting modules as you see fit. Remove the Filter here, add the Compressor there, change where the Equalizer goes - there’s a total of 36 possible routing combinations to explore.
Module bypass
If you prefer a more subtle approach, you can attenuate Bus FORCE’s sonic influence right from the start. Simply bypass each module as and when you need with their respective toggle switches.
The past, present, and future of production
Bus FORCE is a convergence of perfectly-emulated circuitry inspired by vintage studio gear, proprietary features, and cutting-edge appointments - designed to offer the best of both worlds.
The idea of combining multiple modules into one unit came from today’s go-to outboard heroes. Manufacturers like Overstayer® are known for their multifaceted units that offer the analog brilliance of old-school gear combined with the practicality of a sonic Swiss Army Knife. Who wouldn’t want that available in their DAW?
We wanted a filter that was timeless and unique in its sound, while being versatile enough to suit modern production. The answer? It had to be our emulation of Tom Oberheim’s groundbreaking SEM filter - the very same design that you’ll find in our Filter SEM and SEM V software titles.
When it comes to reliable EQ, there are a few household names - for producers at least - that you can always turn to. One such name is Pultec®, responsible for one of the most musical equalizers of all time. With its unique Gerzon shelves and venerable tube character, it was the perfect inspiration for Bus FORCE’s Equalizer module.
Artistscorner
Riccardo Damian
Breaking down pro mixing tips with a grammy-winning engineering
Riccardo Damian is a Grammy-winning engineer and producer who’s worked with international and British artists, such as Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Sampha, and many more.
Read the StoryIncluded in
FX collection
Effects you'll actually use
This effect is part of FX Collection, a suite of essential audio effect plugins empowering musicians, producers, and artists to get creative with their production. From iconic recording gear modeled with breathtaking accuracy, to cutting-edge contemporary effects, the collection includes the most sought-after studio tools, rare guitar pedals, modern mix enhancers, and beyond. Elevate your production and add color to your mix like never before.
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The features
you need
However you use these plugins; for the amazing tone of their reverb, for the gritty preamps, or for their incredible sound design abilities, you'll be safe in the knowledge that they are fully compatible with your setup. These plugins work with all major DAWs, and on both Windows and MacOS.
Arturia Software Center lets you download, organize, and update all of your Arturia software titles in one place, as well as manage all of your licenses across multiple devices. Keep it simple.
Whether you want the full visual immersion of our classic effects emulations, or to save precious screen real estate, the interfaces for all of your Arturia plugins can be resized to a scale that suits you.
Every parameter in every FX Collection plugin can be mapped to your favorite MIDI controller for instant, hands-on control of your mix. Sweep a filter, crank a preamp, or warp your modulation on the fly.
Every plugin in FX Collection comes with built-in tutorials, guiding you step-by-step through the crucial parameters, adjustments, and mixing hacks to get the most out of your sound. The tutorial panel also explains the controls you’re using in real-time - so you’ll never miss a tweak.
FX Collection’s streamlined preset browser lets you filter, organize, and save your favorite presets for instant recall. Search by instrument type, genre, production technique, and much more - so you can quickly find the tweak you need and save valuable creative time!
TAE® Powered
The exclusive analog modeling technology that makes our emulations indistinguishable from the originals.
By accurately mimicking the characteristics of analog oscillators, filters, and soft clipping, we can provide astonishing component-accurate detail and authentic analog charm in equal measure.
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Gallery
Main Features
- Unique stereo multi-FX dedicated to parallel processing
- 5 processing modules: EQ, Filter, Compressor, Saturation, Clipping
- 3 audio paths and mixer with independent volume controls
- 36+ routing configurations
- Pultec-style® EQ
- VCA-style comp with dual RMS and peak detection circuit and negative ratio
- Dual filters inspired by SEM® synth
- External sidechain option
- 4 flavors of analog saturation
- Analog clipping stage
- Comprehensive set of metering and displays
- Resizable window
- Integrated tutorials
- Broad selection of presets for mixing and mastering
Platforms specifications
Windows
- Win 10+ (64bit)
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- ARM processors not supported on Windows
Required configuration
- VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).
Apple
- Mac OS 10.13+
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Work with ASC
- An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software.
* All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.
*NKS ready