CGII Plugin Review: Is This the Ultimate Master Bus Finisher?

If you’re after that final polish and loudness boost on your master bus, the CGII plugin by Metric Halo (created with Chris Gehringer) definitely brings something special. I’ve been using it on recent mixes, and while it adds undeniable weight and sheen, I’ve also run into a few unexpected artefacts worth noting. Here’s a balanced take based on real-world use.

What Is the CGII Plugin?

CGII is a mastering dynamics processor designed to sit on your mix bus. It offers two main dials–Loudness and Density–plus a built-in True Peak Limiter. Together, they aim to make your track sound cohesive, loud, and radio-ready in just a few moves.

How I Use CGII on the Master Bus

In my typical chain:

• True Peak mode is always on, with a ceiling at −0.1 dB.

• The Loudness dial can be pushed fairly far–surprisingly clean, even at higher levels.

• Density adds harmonic fullness and a sense of glued-togetherness across the mix.

At its best, the plugin makes a track feel finished in seconds.

The Artefacts I’ve Heard Lately

Here’s the honest bit: on recent sessions, I started to hear subtle glitchy artefacts–almost like a denoiser or clipper struggling–particularly in the stereo sides. They weren’t loud, but once I noticed them, I couldn’t unhear them. They sounded like faint digital jitter or granular tearing.

It’s worth mentioning that this didn’t happen every time–it seemed to crop up more when pushing the Density dial past 10 o’clock. Still, it was enough for me to pull the original blog post temporarily. That said, on the latest track, I used only the Loudness control–and heard no artefacts at all.

Why I Still Use It

Despite the occasional artefacts, I found myself reaching for CGII again. It just works. The plugin adds that last 10% of polish–especially when you’re on a tight deadline or chasing modern loudness without smashing your transients.

If you keep the Density in check, the artefacts don’t show up, and the mix gains energy, weight, and focus. When used responsibly, CGII still earns its spot on my master chain.

Quick Specs & Features

• True Peak Limiter with ceiling control

• Loudness control for level increases

• Density for harmonic saturation

• Up to 16x oversampling

• Vintage-style nixie tube meters (LUFS + True Peak)

Final Thoughts

CGII is one of those rare plugins that makes a track feel done–fast. But like anything powerful, it demands attention. Push it too far, and the polish starts to flake. Stay within its sweet spot, and it’s a serious asset for mix bus or mastering work.

If you’re okay with its quirks, it might just become your new secret weapon.