Overview

Modeled after a unique compressor built from coveted console parts
Built in 1978 by the legendary Townhouse studio engineers, this one-of-kind compressor was created using classic console components supplied by Solid State Logic (SSL). Handmade in an era when it was impossible to buy an external SSL buss compressor off the shelf, this unique hardware unit was used heavily during the 80s and beyond by some of the biggest names in rock, including Queen, Sting, Muse, Oasis, Coldplay, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins and many more.

That famous SSL tone, but with even more mojo
The bx_townhouse Buss Compressor is the ultimate companion for your mix buss, offering just a touch more vibe and mojo than a standard British console buss compressor. While existing plugins model the G Series version of the SSL compressor; none of them have attempted to capture the early SSL buss compressor sound, despite it being favored by so many sound engineers. Brainworx has taken on the challenge to reproduce this unique SSL compressor sound, gaining exclusive access to this precious one-of-a-kind circuit.

Buss compression that oozes rock history
Shortly after taking delivery of their new SSL 4000 B Series console, the staff of The Townhouse asked SSL to sell them a standalone version of their console's center section compressor. But SSL didn't sell a standalone version, and wouldn't for another 10 years. So they took the matter into their own hands, striking a deal to buy the individual components from SSL to make their own modified version based on SSL’s schematics. The result became one of their beloved custom “Townhouse Toys”. The Townhouse Studios underwent many upgrades over the years, but one important detail remained consistent: this ever-present Townhouse Buss Compressor prominently placed  in Studio 1.

Even more character than your average bus compressor plugin
Many boutique hardware makers have latched on to the sound of the earliest SSL buss compressors. But until now, there has been no software emulation available that aims to reproduce this older and even more colorful version of the SSL bus compressor sound. Place the bx_Townhouse on your busses for instant attitude, and a wonderfully colorful squeeze that will make any “in the box” mix feel more analog.

Features

  • Unique Buss Compressor built using SSL console parts
  • Hand-built by the technical staff at London's Townhouse Studios
  • Smooth, cohesive compression for you master buss and subgroups / stems
  • Plugin-only features by Brainworx include internal sidechain and Dry/Wet mix control

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • Jay Ruston

    Jay Ruston

    Anthrax, Stone Sour, Amon Amarth, Steel Panther

    This Townhouse compressor sounds great.

  • Chris Dennis

    Chris Dennis

    Mixing Engineer (Roddy Ricch, Pop Smoke, DaBaby)

    The BX Townhouse Buss Compressor is my go-to mix buss compressor to glue the mix together before I add saturation, refinement, & final limiting.

Customer Reviews

  • bx_townhouse

    ★★★★★
    by Anthony
    More like bx_brickhouse. This thing is solid as heck, and ends up on nearly every buss on whatever I am working on. Love the saturation and thickening it adds.
  • Best Compressor Ever!

    ★★★★★
    by Dan
    This has easily become my go-to compressor! Very clear and easy to use, and it sounds phenomenal! I use it on just about everything, but it sounds especially good on acoustic guitars and vocals!… Read More
  • Great Drum Buss Compressor

    ★★★★★
    by Chester O.
    I have been using this compressor for several months and really love how it processes drums when used across my drum buss. I usually set it to subtly bring forward details in the drum mix or I'll use… Read More
  • Favourite

    ★★★★★
    by A. Brown
    The BX Townhouse Buss Comp is hands down the plugin I use the most and is somewhere in all my mixes.
  • Slam the drums

    ★★★★★
    by Ken W.
    If you have drums that need to be smacked or smashed, this compressor got you covered.

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, AAX AudioSuite, VST2, VST3

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel, or Apple Silicon

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM

Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

bx_townhouse Buss Compressor

Brainworx bx_townhouse Buss Compressor - Changelog

Version 1.8.1 (Oct 9, 2023)
- General: fixed CPU spikes on Mac OS

Version 1.8.0 (Aug 15, 2023)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for AAX
- General: added macOS Ventura support
- General: improved plugin loading time in the DAW
- General: fixed issue causing Logic to crash when closing the plugin UI
- General: improved font drawing behavior

Version 1.7 (Mar 15, 2022)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for VST3, VST2 and AU
- General: added macOS Monterey support
- General: added Windows 11 and Windows 10 21H1 support
- General: discontinued Windows 7 support
- General: discontinued macOS 10.9 and 10.11 support
- General: fixed metering behavior in block sizes of 2048 samples and higher

Version 1.6 (Mar 22, 2021)
- General: Compatibility with Logic on Apple Silicon devices via the Rosetta-2 layer
- General: Fixed possible artefacts when freezing or bouncing tracks in Pro Tools
- General: Fixed automation highlighting disappearing in Studio One
- General: Improved license dialog visibility in dark mode
- Improved metering behavior

Version 1.5 (May 27, 2020)
- General: Qualified for use with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
- General: VST3: Fixed potential hangs in a DAW upon loading
- General: Fixed logical issues in undo / redo behavior
- General: Fixed UI resizing issues in Ableton Live on Windows
- General: Fixed audio processing initialization issues on amp and delay products
- Added scalable UI feature

Version 1.4 (Nov 06, 2019)
- General: Qualified for use with macOS 10.15 Catalina
- General: Qualified for use with Windows 10 November 2019 Update
- General: Fixed plugin validation in Logic under macOS Catalina
- General: Fixed preset name restore in Logic when reopening a session
- General: Fixed opening authorization dialog triggering automation
- General: Improved instantiation times for plugins
- General: Improved license functionality and branding for subscription
- General: Removed 32-bit support on macOS and Windows

Version 1.3 (Jul 10, 2019)
- General: macOS 10.14.5 Update compatibility
- General: Windows 10 1903 Update compatibility
- General: Fixed activation issue in Windows hosts set to non-English language (e.g. Cakewalk)
- General: AU: Fixed issue with increased CPU and memory on reopening UI
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with adapting to host knob mode, and now prioritizing linear
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with VST3 preset permissions
- General: VST3: Improved synchronization between parameter states and some UI functions, e.g. toolbar reset
- Fixed various usability issues with Auto Fade

Version 1.2 (Mar 29, 2019)
- Fixed Auto Fade not working in VST3
- Fixed Fade Time callout display
- Fixed Reset/Bank Change/Undo-Redo/Power On-Off/Playback Start-Stop behaviour when AutoFade involved

Version 1.1 (Nov 16, 2018)
- General: macOS Mojave compatibility
- General: Windows October 2018 update compatibility
- General: adding Windows High DPI support for VST2/3 plugins
- General: Fixed potential crashes in Cubase and other VST2 / VST3 DAWs
- General: Fixed potential CPU spikes and audio dropouts
- General: Fixed rendering in Pro Tools on the start of a session
- General: Fixed missing presets in Wavelab and other VST3 DAWs
- General: Improving keyboard control, fixing issues with catched keys preventing it from passing through to DAW
- General: Fixed parallel use of host sessions (e.g. with Live)
- Fixed Mono to Stereo AAX DSP instance not loading in Pro Tools

Version 1.0 (Jul 9, 2018)
- Release version