Yeh I can’t relate to that hardware wise, but in many many other ways, totally.
From plug-ins to chopping samples to just the actual mindset of music, simple seems to always prove to be the better method.
A hardware compressor is something iv’e been pondering over too, I like the sound of the variable mu plugin on my drums ever so slightly, and again ever so slightly with the waves ssl on the master buss.
The hardware variable mu is not an option for me whatsoever.
But a few various SSL G “clones” seem pretty reasonably priced and from what I’ve heard on videos do sound better than the waves plugin. I wouldn’t say its night and day but they do sound better, to me anyway.
And yeh I can understand how a hardware comp makes much more sense than a EQ, for me anyway, i use eq on everything and constantly going back, notching here, notching there, constantly. As compared to a comp where its basically on drums (maybe) and the master at a set level almost every time.
The only EQ id be kinda interested in getting would be a pultec for boosting lows on the master buss, I like how the plugin sounds when doing this, its one of those when you take it off your like “my mix was that flat?” - or maybe I just need work a lot more on my mixes, most probably the latter. 
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In the 500 series comp world, the Dramastic Audio Obsidian seems to get SB level love on gearslutz so that’s always been in the back of my mind. I have the Wes Audio Dione which is modeled after that sound and I like it a lot. My go to is always API though. Something about hat top end clarity always speaks to me.
Def check out Obsidian, Dione, heard good thing about Smart Research C1LA, Serpent Audio SB4001 as well. Bottom line is anything in this caliber will make mixes jump out in that SSL way but with more control. Mix/Blend is something the actual SSL models still don;t offer that I find critical .
But yeah, good VST works too 
I use a lot of Universal Auido EQ/Comp plug ins on the mix.
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Will definitely look into them, cheers.
Kinda straying away from the idea of 500 series stuff tho, for now anyway.
I have the waves ssl, and api…my youtube mixing/mastering “guru” (mixbusstv) always raves about the api 2500 (hardware of course, but still) but i dunno…it just looks daunting to me i think, theres a load of controls where i see lots of ways i can use it incorrectly…i really should be more comfortable with things like compressors and limiters but sadly I’m still not there, the SSL is nice and simple and i basically have it on the same settings and just push it ever so slightly…
Yeh I have the UAD stuff, though not used as I have not been in the country over a year…and, I didn’t really miss them. So sold my Octo card, now i’m left with a boat load of UAD plugins which I can’t use. Which wasn’t exactly smart of me.
Trying to get rid of them by selling my account, don’t know how easy thats gonna be, it’s not like UAD help you in that aspect.
Tried putting my account and plugins on Reverb and it was reported and taken down on the same day.
If cant sell on eBay looks like ill have to buy an interface and then sell it with the plugins.
anyone reading this who is interested in getting a new UAD interface message me for an absolute steal from a very desperate man
At least 2grands worth of plugins, want around £600 for em