Note: This product is supplied as a licence code. No box, no disc or similar. Please check the manufacturer’s website BEFORE purchasing for information on system compatibility, registration, download, etc. Registered software is non-returnable.
The Safari Audio Sun Bear is a high-quality bus compressor for mixing and mastering that gives your signal exactly what a good final-stage processor should deliver: glue, warmth, control and musical density. Whether on the stereo bus, on groups or during the final polish in mastering, Sun Bear combines precise dynamics processing with tonal colouring, whilst remaining flexible enough to work both transparently and with character.
Sun Bear was developed for users who don’t just want to tame peaks, but want to give a mix more depth, coherence and weight. The compressor operates musically and with control, ensuring that transients are not unnecessarily destroyed, whilst the overall mix still sounds tighter, more confident and more polished. Especially on bus groups and in mastering, it is precisely this type of compression that often makes the difference between a well-mixed track and one that is truly polished.
Tape Mode adds a smooth, harmonious warmth with light compression to the signal. This provides more roundness, a more pleasant harmonic spectrum and exactly the kind of analogue punch that makes mixes sound bigger and more musical.
Tube Mode sounds slightly more exciting and dynamic. It creates a richer harmonic structure that brings signals to the fore with greater presence, bite and a touch more energy. This is particularly exciting when a mix needs not only to hang together but also to gain a little more character.
A real highlight is the integrated M/S Matrix, which allows dynamic processing to be applied specifically to the mid or side channels. This means Sun Bear can not only perform classic compression, but also shape the stereo image very deliberately. More focus in the centre, more space on the sides, or a more controlled low end in the centre: this is an enormously practical tool, particularly in mastering.
The sidechain filter allows you to fine-tune the compressor’s response more precisely. This prevents certain low frequencies from triggering the compression too aggressively. The result is often a more stable, musical compression curve, particularly on the mix bus or in bass-heavy productions.
Gravity Mode expands Sun Bear’s fundamental character with additional depth and harmonic richness. This makes the mix not only sound more controlled, but often fuller, heavier and more cohesive. This is a particularly powerful feature for productions that need that final push.
In addition to classic compression, Sun Bear also features a clipper that enables additional level control and density. Auto Gain helps to compensate for sudden changes in loudness during adjustment, so that decisions are made more on the basis of sound and less on the basis of level. Wild Mode rounds off the package with a more modern, aggressive approach to dynamics processing for productions that could do with a slightly more decisive touch.
Sun Bear is ideal for mixing and mastering engineers, producers and musicians looking for a characterful yet controlled bus compressor. It works superbly on stereo buses, drum buses, instrument groups and final masters, offering enough precision for clean dynamics processing, yet enough character to deliver musical results with personality.
macOS
VST3, AU, AAX
Windows 64-bit
VST3, AAX
Processor
1 GHz Intel Dual Core or AMD equivalent
RAM
at least 4 GB
8 GB recommended
Operating systems
Mac OS X 10.15 or later
Windows 8 or later
A good bus compressor doesn’t just make a mix louder or tighter. It often determines whether a song sounds like a collection of individual tracks or like a cohesive production. This is precisely why features such as the M/S Matrix, sidechain filter and the two saturation modes on the Sun Bear are so valuable, as they not only provide control but also specifically add character and depth to the mix.
Safaripedals Sun Bear Bus Compressor License Code