Bus FORCE

Parallel Processing Powerhouse

Bus FORCE is a parallel processor effect designed with one aim: to make anything sound better. With built-in filter, EQ, compression, and saturation modules, and never-before-seen custom routing, this is your new go-to sonic enhancer.

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 favoured 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 colour.

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.

The Filter Module - 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.

The Compressor Module - 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.

The Equalizer Module - Inspired by the legendary Pultec® EQ, known for broad ranges and musical curves. This detailed but immediate bell EQ module offers immediate and intuitive sound shaping, from delicate high-end accents to an uber-fat bass boost across the stereo field.

The Saturation Module - Beautifully crispy analog saturation, also inspired by modern studio manufacturers like Overstayer®, with 4 types of saturation on offer: Even, Odd, Thick, and Overdrive. Give your track some subtle warmth or crank the grain for that sought-after grungy character.

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.

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.

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.

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?

A Plugin You Can Count On

Bus FORCE is designed to make mixing, mastering, and creative sound design accessible and enjoyable for everyone - no technical knowledge required.

• In-App Tutorials - 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.
• ASC - 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.
• DAW Ready - 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.
• Preset Browser - FX Collection’s streamlined preset browser lets you filter, organize, and save your favourite 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!
• Resizable GUI - 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.
• Real-Time Control - Every parameter in every FX Collection plugin can be mapped to your favourite MIDI controller for an instant, hands-on control of your mix. Sweep a filter, crank a preamp, or warp your modulation on the fly.

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
• Dual filters inspired by SEM® synth
• VCA-style comp with dual RMS and peak detection circuit and negative ratio
• External sidechain option
• 4 flavours of analog saturation
• Analog clipping stage
• A comprehensive set of metering and displays
• Resizable window
• Integrated tutorials
• A broad selection of presets for mixing and mastering

System Requirements

• Works in VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).

Mac

• Mac OS 10.13+
• 4 GB RAM
• 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or Apple Silicon CPU
• 1GB free hard disk space
• OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU

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

Protection

All Arturia software is protected by the Arturia Software Center.