Wes Audio SupercarrierII

Wes Audio SuperCarrier II is a stereo, fully analog VCA compressor in SSL G-Bus style, in Starlight format (2U desktop) with full digital integration. SuperCarrier II is the direct evolution of the original SuperCarrier — the same VCA circuit that defined the sound of master bus compression in recordings from the late 1980s and 1990s, now with full recall and automation via VST/AU, USB, and MIDI with zero digital processing in the signal path. Two independent VCA channels with stereo link, M/S matrix, switchable input transformer, and external sidechain. Stepper motors move physical potentiometers in response to DAW automation. A tool for stereo bus compression, mixing, and mastering.

SSL G-Bus style VCA — the characteristic mix bus glue

The VCA circuit in SuperCarrier II is based on the SSL G-Bus architecture — the topology that for decades has been synonymous with "glue": the characteristic coherence and uniformity that G-Bus compression adds to a final mix. Ratio: 2:1, 4:1, 10:1, and 20:1 — covering gentle compression through hard limiting. Attack: 0.1 ms, 0.3 ms, 1 ms, 3 ms, 10 ms, 30 ms — six positions for precise setting of the compression entry point relative to transients. Release: 0.1 s, 0.3 s, 0.6 s, Auto — classic SSL G-Bus times with an Auto mode for program-dependent release. Makeup gain is automatic or manual. The Auto Release mode analyzes the program material and adjusts release time dynamically, minimizing pumping on complex musical signals. An IN/OUT switch per channel enables instant A/B between compressed and unprocessed signal — true bypass when disengaged with no effect on the signal path. VU meters per channel with switchable indication modes (Input / Output / GR).

M/S, input transformer, sidechain, and DAW integration

The built-in M/S matrix with encoder and decoder enables independent compression of the Mid and Side channels — selective compression of the stereo center without side-channel pumping, and vice versa. The switchable input transformer (Transformerless / Transformer-Coupled) provides two input path characters without any rewiring. An external sidechain input per channel supports advanced de-esser or ducking configurations. SuperCarrier II VST/AU plug-ins enable DAW automation and recall: stepper motors move physical potentiometers according to DAW automation; 16-bit-per-parameter recall guarantees identical physical settings at every session recall. SuperCarrier II is available as a 500-series module (2-slot) and in the Starlight 2U desktop version with an internal power supply.

KEY FEATURES

• Stereo VCA compressor SSL G-Bus style 2U with full digital integration (analog signal path)
• Two independent VCA channels — stereo link or dual mono mode
• Ratio: 2:1 / 4:1 / 10:1 / 20:1
• Attack: 0.1 / 0.3 / 1 / 3 / 10 / 30 ms (6 positions)
• Release: 0.1 / 0.3 / 0.6 s + Auto (program-dependent)
• Makeup gain: automatic or manual
• True bypass per channel (IN/OUT)
• Built-in M/S matrix — independent Mid and Side compression
• Switchable input transformer: Transformerless / Transformer-Coupled
• External sidechain input per channel
• Full DAW automation (VST/AU) with physical potentiometer movement
• Full preset recall 16-bit per parameter via USB and MIDI
• Zero digital processing in the signal path
• VU meters per channel — Input / Output / GR modes
• Format: 2U desktop Starlight (alternative: 2-slot 500-series module)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: stereo VCA compressor SSL G-Bus style, 2U rack desktop (Starlight)
• Signal path: fully analog, VCA
• Channels: 2 (stereo link or dual mono)
• Ratio: 2:1 / 4:1 / 10:1 / 20:1
• Attack: 0.1 / 0.3 / 1 / 3 / 10 / 30 ms
• Release: 0.1 / 0.3 / 0.6 s + Auto
• Makeup gain: Auto / Manual
• Bypass: true bypass per channel
• M/S matrix: built-in encoder/decoder, switchable
• Input transformer: switchable (Transformerless / Transformer-Coupled)
• Sidechain: external per channel
• Digital integration: VST/AU, USB, MIDI
• Automation: 16-bit per parameter, physical potentiometer movement
• VU meters: per channel, Input / Output / GR modes
• I/O: balanced XLR (stereo in/out + sidechain in per channel)
• Power: internal (Starlight 2U)
• Format: 2U rack desktop (Starlight); alternative 500-series module (2-slot)