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synfactory « The SSL Sound "in the box"! »
Published on 07/21/11 at 17:29Waves SSL 4000 Native Collection developed under license from Solid State Logic.
Four modeled plugins:
SSL E-Channel
SSL G-Channel
SSL G-Equalizer
SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
Mac and Pc Compatible.
I-Lok required.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I’ve used this in Logic Pro 8 and 9 without a problem.
I have a Mac Pro 2.66 Quad Core with 8 GB of ram and a White Macbook with Intel Core 2 Duo Cpu with 4 GB of Ram.
The installation is really easy and the the manual is well written.
These plugins works like a charm, never had a problem in more than 2 years of use.
However I’m still waiting for the release of the 64 Bit native versions.
OVERALL OPINION
If you are familiar with audio gear, you will sure know Solid State Logic from England. Thanks to their sonic qualities and multiple options, the SSL consoles becomes a worldwide standard in the recording studios. The SL4000, the console on which these plugins are modelled, have two features in particular that set it above the competition. A complete dynamics section on every channel, and a master-compressor in the center of the console. Add to that an outstanding clear signal path and a punchy and modern EQ and you will understand why, according to Billboard magazine, these consoles were used on almost three quarters of all U.S. Number One Singles.
This was the first attempt of Waves in recreating the sound of such a legendary console, and according to them, these plugins used side by side with their real counterpart produced -35db of phase cancellation.
The company modelled 3 different sections.
The first two are the SSL G-Channel and E-Channel channel strips (there is also an additional plugin, The G Equalizer)
They offer:
- Input and output section
- Low and High cut filters
- 4 Four EQ that can be routed to the processor output or to the dynamics sidechain section. “Q” can be adjusted in the LMF and HMF ranges.
- Compressor/Limiter with Threshold, Ratio, release, fast and slow attack and automatic gain makeup
- Gate/expander with the same controls as the compressor.
The dynamics can be switched pre-equalizer or post-equalizer.
The other thing modelled is the Master Buss compressor, with threshold, gain make up, attack, release, ratio and a particular fade-off section.
All the 4 plugins have Load, Save, A-B switching and help options.
The G-Channel and The E-Channel differs for the fact that the first one tend to be used for more aggressive frequencies cutting and boosting.
I’ve used these plugins with a lot of bands and with a lot of musical genres.
And the results were always outstanding. The boosting never sound harsh or unnatural, and the punch that a SSL compressor can give you is amazing.
I’ve also used the Master Buss Compressor, either on the Master bus, with a maximum of 2db of gain reduction, and a ratio of 2 to 1, and on a lot of group tracks. It will let your drums and mixes sound punchy and huge, still retaining the original attack, without squashing too much life from them.
In these years the price is dropped significantly for these plugins, if you can afford them, my advice is to buy them in conjunction with the Vintage and API series. Top notch plugins from a great company!
Four modeled plugins:
SSL E-Channel
SSL G-Channel
SSL G-Equalizer
SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
Mac and Pc Compatible.
I-Lok required.
SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE
I’ve used this in Logic Pro 8 and 9 without a problem.
I have a Mac Pro 2.66 Quad Core with 8 GB of ram and a White Macbook with Intel Core 2 Duo Cpu with 4 GB of Ram.
The installation is really easy and the the manual is well written.
These plugins works like a charm, never had a problem in more than 2 years of use.
However I’m still waiting for the release of the 64 Bit native versions.
OVERALL OPINION
If you are familiar with audio gear, you will sure know Solid State Logic from England. Thanks to their sonic qualities and multiple options, the SSL consoles becomes a worldwide standard in the recording studios. The SL4000, the console on which these plugins are modelled, have two features in particular that set it above the competition. A complete dynamics section on every channel, and a master-compressor in the center of the console. Add to that an outstanding clear signal path and a punchy and modern EQ and you will understand why, according to Billboard magazine, these consoles were used on almost three quarters of all U.S. Number One Singles.
This was the first attempt of Waves in recreating the sound of such a legendary console, and according to them, these plugins used side by side with their real counterpart produced -35db of phase cancellation.
The company modelled 3 different sections.
The first two are the SSL G-Channel and E-Channel channel strips (there is also an additional plugin, The G Equalizer)
They offer:
- Input and output section
- Low and High cut filters
- 4 Four EQ that can be routed to the processor output or to the dynamics sidechain section. “Q” can be adjusted in the LMF and HMF ranges.
- Compressor/Limiter with Threshold, Ratio, release, fast and slow attack and automatic gain makeup
- Gate/expander with the same controls as the compressor.
The dynamics can be switched pre-equalizer or post-equalizer.
The other thing modelled is the Master Buss compressor, with threshold, gain make up, attack, release, ratio and a particular fade-off section.
All the 4 plugins have Load, Save, A-B switching and help options.
The G-Channel and The E-Channel differs for the fact that the first one tend to be used for more aggressive frequencies cutting and boosting.
I’ve used these plugins with a lot of bands and with a lot of musical genres.
And the results were always outstanding. The boosting never sound harsh or unnatural, and the punch that a SSL compressor can give you is amazing.
I’ve also used the Master Buss Compressor, either on the Master bus, with a maximum of 2db of gain reduction, and a ratio of 2 to 1, and on a lot of group tracks. It will let your drums and mixes sound punchy and huge, still retaining the original attack, without squashing too much life from them.
In these years the price is dropped significantly for these plugins, if you can afford them, my advice is to buy them in conjunction with the Vintage and API series. Top notch plugins from a great company!