New Software Review: Fusion Transformer Plugin by SSL

Fusion Transformer aims to combine the “high-frequency phase-shift, additional harmonic distortion and natural low-frequency roll-off that only an analogue transformer can provide.”

Transformers are used in audio all the time. We use them to step up a mic’s signal or send audio to speakers. At a time before standardization, 600-ohm line transformers helped equipment expecting differing loads work together.

In much of our beloved vintage gear, you will find input and output transformers accounting for a large part of a given unit’s charm.

In that vein, wiring a few 600-ohm line transformers with XLR plugs was something we used at Quad Recording, here in NYC. If a track felt a little anemic, I would patch the output of the converter into one of the transformers and then the line input of the SSL. This gave the track more excited harmonics and a greater sense of body.

SSL sought to utilize a transformer in its hardware piece Fusion. They call it “mojo” in the manual and that’s just what the 1:1-wound under-damped transformer brought to the signal. They worked through multiple iterations alongside the feedback of trusted studio engineers to ultimately bring forth this part of Fusion to what you hear today.

Now with the release of the SSL Fusion Transformer Plug-in you can have even greater creative control of your sound.

Features

The GUI features the usual stereo input/output trim pots as well as corresponding meters. The “transformer” button serves as an on/off switch just as it does on the hardware. What’s great about the plug-in version is the amount of control it offers the user over the hardware piece.

Transformers can impart some high frequency phase, which SSL calls “shine”. This knob, like the Amount knob, allows the user to augment or decrease the natural characteristics of the original transformer. In other words, it’s about the amount of harmonic distortion you wish to dial up.

The Mix knob allows the user to create a parallel effect. The LF EXTND button replaces low frequencies, which tend to roll off when the transformer is pushed hard. SSL also includes Undo/Redo buttons as well as A/B for bouncing between two settings. There are a range of presets loaded if you wish to start from that point too. There is an ECO button for low latency usage and the “?” button toggles description balloons on or off.

In Use

Personally, I find this type of saturation to be smoother than tube saturation, even when using pentodes. I was not disappointed with this plug-in’s ability to bring that “mojo” to a digital form.

My personal taste is “less is more” and this was one of those times. It would be easy to fall under the sway of Fusion Transformer but when I used it on my drum buss I realized there was a price to be paid. If I pushed the transformer past a certain point, I got an aggressively present sound while the air around the drums disappeared. I have provided several clips for readers to compare.

I found the nominal amount of “shine” imparted by the plug-in wasn’t applicable to this situation. The ability to decrease the effect rather than not use the transformer at all (if it were in the analog domain) was a big plus!

The same could be said with the Amount control. I wanted to keep the air I had captured. I was easily able to dial back to a point where I still had the air but with a more solid punch to the drums. The harmonics on the toms was very exciting. After that, I went for a more aggressive approach and gained the air back by dialing back the mix knob.

All this control gives the user a lot of options. The last bit of digital wizardry is the LF EXTND button. Low frequency roll-off is an issue when passing through a transformer, so SSL has addressed the issue here. It proved to be useful when engaged and I felt no need to address the low end with EQ afterward. I have also tried this plug-in on guitar. If I were handed tracks that needed to be beefier, this would be a go-to. It was very rich on direct bass, bringing out a more complex tone.

Summing it Up

At a time when saturating tracks has become ever more popular, SSL brings to the table a tool which fits nicely into the collection.

There are many different flavors to choose from out there and SSL now provides us with one that fits soundly in the toolbox. When you wish to bring depth and character to a track in a smoother way, you will find this is a great way to achieve that.

I found it was easy to operate and I quickly attained the sound I wanted. I’m in.

Special thanks to: Bob Schuster and David Amlen for inspiring discussions regarding transformers.

Rick Slater is an audio professional, educator, and writer in the NYC area.

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