In their latest collaboration with Nashville’s Blackbird Studio, KIT Plugins have captured the sound of Neve’s sought-after 2254 compressor. Provided in both single- and dual-channel versions, BB N54 is said to deliver the unmistakable low-end weight and harmonic depth that made the original unit so popular.
The first of the two plug-ins, BB N54 Single, is said to lovingly recreate the dual-stage compression and limiting of Neve’s diode-bridge design. Limiter Input, Level and Recovery (100ms, 200ms, 800ms, Auto) parameters are joined by Compressor Ratio, Threshold (1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1) and Recovery (400ms, 800ms, 1.5S, Auto) controls, and both section’s offer switchable Fast and Slow attack times. There’s also a side-chain filter that can be used to apply a 20Hz or 5kHz high-pass filter to the virtual detection circuitry.
BB N54 Dual then offers a pair of identical controls for each channel, along with a choice of Linked, Unlinked and Mid-Side operation modes. Unlinked provides independent control over each channel, while Linked mirrors the controls between the two channels for standard stereo processing. The third option, as you might expect, engages Mid-Side encoder/decoder matrices, allowing the first channel to process the Mid element of a signal while the second channel handles the Sides signal. In both Unlinked and Mid-Side modes, a Trim control allows independent level adjustment of each channel.
As with the company’s other plug-ins, the vintage-inspired sound is complemented by some useful modern tools such as built-in A/B switching for comparing different settings, undo and redo functions and a comprehensive preset management system. There are also Mid and Side solo functions that allow either signal to be monitored in isolation. Helpfully, the plug-in also boasts a fully resizeable GUI.
Compatibility
BB N54 is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or higher, and Macs running macOS 10.14 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. A free iLok account and iLok License Manager are required, and the plug-in supports iLok Cloud, iLok Gen 2/3 USB keys and machine-based authorisation.
Pricing & Availability
BB N54 is available now, and is currently (17 December 2024) being offered at an introductory price of $75, reduced from its full cost of $150.
