Instrument Bus Settings

Optimized starting configurations for common stem/bus processing scenarios. Each bus has different goals — use these as starting points and adjust to suit your mix.

Module Reference

Each technique below links to the full module reference. See API5500 EQ, ButterComp2, Pultec EQ, Dynamic EQ, Transformer, and Punch for parameter details and Quick Start settings.

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Drum Bus

Goal: Impact, cohesion, transient punch, controlled low end

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	HP: 30 Hz · Low shelf: +2 dB @ 60 Hz · HM boost: +3 dB @ 4 kHz
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.50 · Output: 0.85 · Dry/Wet: 0.48 (NY parallel)
Pultec EQ	LF boost: 0.45 @ 60 Hz + LF cut: 0.35 (Pultec trick)
Dynamic EQ	B1: Compress 80 Hz · Thr −22 dB · R 3:1 · B3: Compress 3 kHz · Thr −18 dB · R 2:1
Transformer	Model: Vintage · Input Drive: 0.35
Punch	Mode: Cubic · Ceiling: −0.5 dBFS · Transient Atk: 0.55

• Use Dry/Wet 0.45–0.55 on ButterComp2 for drum buses — this is the classic NY parallel approach that brings up room mics and subtle hits without squashing transients
• The Dynamic EQ 3 kHz band compresses hash frequencies from snare wire and cymbal bleed without dulling overall brightness
• Punch Transient Attack at 0.55 restores kick and snare punch after the compression stages

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Bass Bus

Goal: Defined low end, even dynamics, clarity in the mix

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	HP: 30 Hz · Low-mid cut: −1 dB @ 300 Hz · HM boost: +1 dB @ 1 kHz
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.45 · Output: 0.80 · Dry/Wet: 0.70
Pultec EQ	LF boost: +2 dB @ 30–60 Hz · HF boost: +1.5 dB @ 5 kHz
Dynamic EQ	B1: Compress 80 Hz · Thr −18 dB · R 3:1 · Attack 5 ms · Release 150 ms
Transformer	Model: Vintage · Input Drive: 0.20 · Input Sat: 0.15
Punch	Mode: Soft · Ceiling: −1.0 dBFS

• Set the Dynamic EQ detector frequency to 80 Hz (the fundamental) rather than full-range — this prevents high-frequency transients from triggering the sub compressor, which would cause pumping
• The Pultec 5 kHz HF boost adds the “click” of the bass pick or finger attack, improving definition in dense mixes
• Vintage Transformer at low drive adds weight and warmth without obvious saturation

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Guitar Bus

Goal: Cohesion across multiple guitar tracks, presence, controlled low mids

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	HP: 80 Hz · Low-mid cut: −3 dB @ 200 Hz · HM boost: +2 dB @ 3 kHz
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.40 · Output: 0.82 · Dry/Wet: 0.50
Pultec EQ	HF boost: +2.5 dB @ 8–10 kHz · HF BW: 0.55
Dynamic EQ	B2: Compress 200 Hz · Thr −18 dB · R 2:1 (mud control)
Transformer	Model: British · Input Drive: 0.40 · Input Sat: 0.35
Punch	Mode: Soft · Ceiling: −0.8 dBFS · Transient Atk: 0.25

• The 200 Hz low-mid cut on API5500 is critical for distorted guitars — this is where guitar mud accumulates and causes the “boxy” sound
• British Transformer captures the SSL console sound common in hard rock and pop-rock
• Keep ButterComp2 Dry/Wet below 0.55 for guitars — heavy compression on a multi-mic’d guitar bus can kill the dynamics that make the part feel human

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Vocal Bus

Goal: Polished, even, present; de-essed; all vocal layers — lead, doubles, harmonies, ad-libs, and BV returns — forward as one cohesive element

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	HP: 100 Hz · HM boost: +3 dB @ 3 kHz
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.35 · Output: 0.78 · Dry/Wet: 0.40
Pultec EQ	HF boost: +2 dB @ 10 kHz (air) · Tube Drive: 0.12
Dynamic EQ	B3: Compress 7 kHz · Thr −12 dB · R 2.5:1 · Atk 4 ms · Rel 60 ms (de-essing)
Transformer	Model: Vintage · Input Drive: 0.15 · Input Sat: 0.10
Punch	Mode: Soft · Ceiling: −2.0 dBFS · Mix: 0.70

• Use the Dynamic EQ Band 3 de-essing approach rather than a separate de-esser — it integrates into the gain staging chain and lets you set a precise frequency-dependent threshold
• Vintage Transformer at very low drive adds barely perceptible harmonics that give vocals that “recorded through analog hardware” quality
• Punch at Mix 0.70 allows the natural transient variation across the vocal stem to come through — a fully wet limiter on a vocal bus can make the sum sound mechanical and homogenized

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Synth / Keys Bus

Goal: Spectral density, warmth, clarity in the frequency spectrum

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	HP: 40 Hz · Low-mid: subtle adjustments for the specific synths
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.55 · Output: 0.88 · Dry/Wet: 0.60
Pultec EQ	HF boost: +3 dB @ 10–15 kHz (sparkle)
Dynamic EQ	B3: Compress harsh resonances at 3–5 kHz if needed
Transformer	Model: Modern · Input Drive: 0.25 · High Resp: +0.4
Punch	Mode: Soft · Ceiling: −0.5 dBFS

• Synth buses often contain a wide range of frequency content depending on patches — inspect the spectral analyzer in Dynamic EQ before applying any cuts
• Modern Transformer with extended high response adds API “presence” character without warming the sound

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Master Bus

Goal: Final glue, polish, and loudness maximization

Use Sparingly

Master bus processing should be subtle. If it’s obvious, the mix needs adjustment at the stem level. The goal is to make the mix sound like it was recorded through great equipment — not to fix problems.

Module	Settings
API5500 EQ	Very gentle final sweetening only
ButterComp2	Compress: 0.30 · Output: 0.75 · Dry/Wet: 0.38
Pultec EQ	Subtle: LF boost 0.20 @ 30 Hz + HF boost 0.30 @ 12 kHz
Dynamic EQ	Transparency mode — minimal engagement, only address specific issues
Transformer	Model: Vintage · Input Drive: 0.12 · Output Drive: 0.08
Punch	Mode: Soft · Ceiling: −0.3 to −0.1 dBFS · OS: 4× or 8×

Streaming Targets

Platform	Integrated LUFS	True Peak
Spotify	−14 LUFS	−1.0 dBTP
Apple Music	−16 LUFS	−1.0 dBTP
YouTube	−14 LUFS	−1.0 dBTP
CD / Physical	As loud as needed	−0.3 dBTP
Mp3 encoding	Any	−1.0 dBTP (intersample headroom)