Wes audio dione – not on the list – but a magic find
Checking out Facebook gear trading groups can be dangerous for your wallet. But sometimes you can really get a good deal.
I was scrolling through one of my favourite groups when I spotted a Cranborne Audio R8 500 series rack unit — also a multichannel interface — at a very good price. What made it better was that for a bit more, the seller threw in a Wes Audio Dione.
The Dione wasn’t on my wish list. But Ayden Perry from Q4Mastering had mentioned it to me over lunch as a piece of gear he really enjoyed working with in the past. https://wesaudio.com/product/_dione/
I already had a few go-to plugin bus compressors and wasn’t convinced I needed another analogue one. What I did want to check out was the Wes Audio digitally controlled analogue system. There were other models I definitely had my eye on.
Would it work on my preferred OS, Linux? I figured I could check it out and sell it on if not.
Not What I Expected
Turns out — this is one of the best sounding bus compressors I’ve used.
Yes, it’s a VCA SSL-style compressor. But it feels more rounded and less harsh than the average SSL-style comp. It can grab when needed, but overall it just feels smoother. It helps glue a mix together without shouting “hey, I’m doing the SSL thing.”
The dry/mix blend is awesome. Though if I’m compressing gently, I don’t find I use it that often.
I was surprised to find myself using the THD setting (at medium) in place of other options sometimes.
The Digital Control Factor
This is where the Dione really stands apart.
It’s not just about taking fewer photos of the rack. If a threshold adjustment needs to be made before a loud chorus, that can be managed exactly like a plugin. Recall is instant. Automation is possible. It changes how you think about hybrid workflow.
Where It Sits in the Chain
I use the Dione on about 50% of my masters. It sits in the chain before the IGS Rubber Bands 500 ME.
If a producer hasn’t glued their mix well, or it just needs a little more rounding, it can be the perfect tool for the job.
For mixing, I’ve used it on a drum bus and the master bus. It works well in both roles.
The Linux Catch
No — it didn’t work with Linux.
It almost did – the screenshot here – is actually taken on a Linux machine using yabridge and WINE – but unfortunately the plugin couldn’t communicate with the compressor.
I loved the Dione so much that I brought back a Mac Mini M2 as the system for the mastering studio.
It didn’t matter too much, as in general the move to hybrid had resulted in using fewer plugins.
Final Thoughts
A chance Facebook find turned into one of the most useful pieces in my chain. The Dione is smoother than I expected, more versatile than I assumed, and the digital control has genuinely changed how I work.
If you’re on the fence about the Wes Audio system, I’d say it’s worth the look. Just be careful what you find on Facebook while you’re at it.
For a more in-depth review you can’t go past this one – https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/wes-audio-dione
If you’re interested in having your music mastered through this device – click here to ask me directly
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