WesAudio
WES Audio Dione
Best premium compression for professional mixing and mastering engineers.
This 500 Series Bus Compressor combines analog warmth with digital control for seamless DAW integration. It allows for precise recall and automation of key parameters like Threshold, Mix, and MakeUp gain via USB. Featuring versatile THD modes and parallel compression capabilities, it offers a flexible approach to bus compression suitable for a wide range of mixing and mastering applications. The unit's analog circuitry ensures a rich sound, while its digital control provides modern workflow convenience. It includes an analog GR meter for visual feedback and offers high headroom for clean processing.
$1159.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 354
#34 in Noise Gates & Compressors
Price vs Category Average
-6%
Below average
Who it's for
- Studio engineers seeking efficient session recall and precise automation within their DAW.
- Audio professionals desiring classic analog compression with modern studio convenience.
- Producers needing a single, adaptable compressor for diverse mixing and mastering tasks.
Who should skip it
- Home studio owners without existing 500-series infrastructure.
- Budget-conscious producers exploring more affordable compression solutions.
- Traditionalists preferring purely tactile controls and minimal software interaction.
Performance breakdown
DAW Integration
Seamless plugin control makes analog hardware feel like a modern software instrument.
Sonic Versatility
Dual THD modes provide distinct harmonic textures for any mixing scenario.
Recall Precision
Digital automation eliminates the guesswork of resetting complex analog signal chains.
Build Quality
Robust 500 series construction meets high-end professional studio standards.
Parallel Processing
Dedicated mix knob allows for effortless blending of compressed and dry signals.
Headroom Capacity
High 24 dBu headroom ensures clean, distortion-free signal processing under heavy loads.
Key Specs
GCon USB/Ethernet Protocol compatible
Digitally controlled analogue circuitry
Directly controllable from a DAW via USB
Hardware A/B switch
Digital side-chain
3 Touch-sensitive encoders for Threshold, Mix, and MakeUp gain automation
True bypass
Analogue GR meter
Know before you buy
The Dione uses the GCon protocol, which allows you to control the unit directly from your DAW via a dedicated plugin. This provides full automation and total recall of your settings, bridging the gap between analog hardware sound and digital workflow convenience.
Yes, the unit features a dedicated Mix knob that allows you to blend your dry signal with the compressed signal. This makes it easy to achieve parallel compression without needing external routing or additional hardware.
The THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) modes allow you to add analog character to your signal. The 'Medium' and 'High' settings introduce varying levels of harmonic saturation, giving you the flexibility to choose between a clean, transparent sound or a more colored, vintage-style warmth.
The Dione is designed to fit into any standard 500 series rack. However, because it features digital control, you will need to connect the unit to your computer via USB to utilize the DAW integration and automation features.
The Dione includes a digital side-chain that can be configured via the software plugin. This allows you to filter the signal triggering the compressor, which is essential for preventing low-frequency instruments like kick drums from causing excessive pumping.
Yes, the audio path is entirely analog, ensuring the rich, high-headroom sound associated with professional bus compressors. The digital components are strictly for control, recall, and automation, meaning your audio signal remains untouched by digital conversion.
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$1159