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moosers
Published on 12/03/09 at 20:05
The Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel is a software emulation of an Solid State Logic console channel strip. The plug-in is really a few in one as it has sections for both compression and EQ. I didn't have any trouble at all installing the plug-in and the whole process only took a few minutes. There weren't any compatibility issues between the plug-in and my software configuration and in general I would say I've had no problems with the plug-in. The interface of the software is user friendly, even if you don't have any experience with a real SSL console. There are definitely a good amount of parameters to play with, most of which are pretty universal. The EQ has a parametric section and both a high and low pass filter. I've never had a need to look a manual for the Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel, but I can say that I don't think it is necessary to learn how to use the plug-in.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I am currently running the native version of the Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run the plug-in in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface and I find that within this configuration the plug-in runs great. I've only needed to run a few of them within a single session and I've been able to do this quite successfully. However, if you are planning to use this on every track of a Pro Tools session, I would definitely recommend having a Pro Tools HD system for this type of use. Beyond this, as long as you have a pretty good system to run this on I don't foresee you having too many issues.
OVERALL OPINION
The sound quality of the Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel is overall pretty great. While it doesn't have as warm of a sound as you would get with the actual hardware console version, it has a clean and realistic sound quality nonetheless. It is useful for pretty much any application in terms of what to use it with as the vast array of parameters makes it versatile. Both the EQ and compression sections make this a well rounded plug-in that can adapt to most situations. If you are looking for a channel strip plug-in that won't break the bank, I would definitely recommend trying out Waves SSL E-Channel.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I am currently running the native version of the Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run the plug-in in Pro Tools LE 7.4 that runs with a Digi 002R audio interface and I find that within this configuration the plug-in runs great. I've only needed to run a few of them within a single session and I've been able to do this quite successfully. However, if you are planning to use this on every track of a Pro Tools session, I would definitely recommend having a Pro Tools HD system for this type of use. Beyond this, as long as you have a pretty good system to run this on I don't foresee you having too many issues.
OVERALL OPINION
The sound quality of the Waves Ltd. SSL E-Channel is overall pretty great. While it doesn't have as warm of a sound as you would get with the actual hardware console version, it has a clean and realistic sound quality nonetheless. It is useful for pretty much any application in terms of what to use it with as the vast array of parameters makes it versatile. Both the EQ and compression sections make this a well rounded plug-in that can adapt to most situations. If you are looking for a channel strip plug-in that won't break the bank, I would definitely recommend trying out Waves SSL E-Channel.