Waves SSL plug-in

  • Thread starter Thread starter ecktronic
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ecktronic

ecktronic

Mixing and Mastering.
Has anyone tried out the Waves SSL channel plug-in atall?

Sounds like it could be pretty good.

Also has anyone used the Oxford Inflator. Could it be used in place of the Waves L2? Or is it not really a limiter?

Cheers,
Eck
 
Actually, I love the Waves SSL collection. The two different EQ's really offer a lot of that sonic signature that seems to be there with the real SSL EQ's. I was actually quite surprised by it and actually prefer it to the URS stuff which I did not expect to happen. The SSL channel strip sounds great, and the compressor sounds OK. Whats funny is that when I first tried the Waves SSL collection I was expecting to be impressed by the comp and not the EQ's, but it was more the other way around.
 
xstatic said:
Actually, I love the Waves SSL collection. The two different EQ's really offer a lot of that sonic signature that seems to be there with the real SSL EQ's. I was actually quite surprised by it and actually prefer it to the URS stuff which I did not expect to happen. The SSL channel strip sounds great, and the compressor sounds OK. Whats funny is that when I first tried the Waves SSL collection I was expecting to be impressed by the comp and not the EQ's, but it was more the other way around.
Nice one.
Thats what I like to hear. Im missing some nice sounding EQ.
I too thought that the compressor would be pretty impressive, acht well. :)
Do you mean the channel strip comp or the mastering comp or both?

If you have used Waves REQ is it quite hard to get used to the different style of controls? Ive only really used Waves REQ as I found it really easy to use and sounded ok.

Cheers,
Eck
 
The Waves SSL plug-ins are alright. Well, actually there's two angles you can take:

In comparison to an actual SSL

If you've worked on an actual SSL enough and know the sound, the SSL plug-ins do great things, but is still no SSL. It's not thier fault, computing power can only do so much to emulate a million dollar living and breathing electronic piece of analog circutry. That smooth, streamlined seperation I was expecting wasn't there.

The master buss compressor is far more transparent and dominant in the real thing. It's a complete and more immediate sound to the overall mix. In the plug-in version, things get muddy and closed up real quick when you're not careful. I'm less afraid to switch the buss compression in on the actual board.

It dosn't come off quite the same way. I can't quite put my finger on it, I just know it's not there.


In comparision to other plug-ins


I think these are great plug-ins to have. They are very functional and do offer a level of sonic independance. They retain the original layout on the EQ section fairly well. Just enough to let people know it's an SSL modeled plug.

The analog on/off feature does give a nice subtle type of sound to choose from, which does bring a nice smoothness to somethings. The gates, routing and compression also does bring another unique sound to choose from in the plug-in world.

However, I do agree with xstatic on the compression. It's okay.

I think in that context, the SSL plug-ins are less likely to dissapoint.
 
Not to disagree with Lee, but I think you can get the full "SSL" sound with a 57, a SB Audigy, and the SSL plugin - you just have to know how to tweak the plugin "just-so".............
 
I really dig the SSL bundle. It's the best thing that Waves has come out with for a long time. I use it on almost every in the box mix I do.

I agree with most of Lee's assesment, especially about the quad compressor. When I mix on the SSL, I engage the quad compressor about halfway through the mix. It ties everything in the mix together in a way that the plugin just doesn't quite do yet. I wouldn't really use it for mastering either. Even on the real SSL, I only tap it a bit.

You can get pretty close to an SSL sound, however that board is still a lot punchier than throwing on the channel strip in Pro Tools.

PS-

NL5, how's that Trident treating ya? I absolutely love tracking on those, preamps and EQ's are supurb.
 
Thanks all.
Much appreciated.

I still am wondering if I could replace my L2 with the Oxford INflator though or is it something totally different.

Cheers,
Eck
 
if your going to replace your L2, replace it with the massey2007
 
google it, read some reviewes, compair prices, then buy what ever you want.
 
I was looking for advice here though as reviews on the net arent the best way to go about choosing what to buy in my opinion. I trust reviews on here more.

Eck
 
ecktronic said:
Why?
WHy not the Oxford?

because it's easy to find positive peer reviews on the 2007 on geraslutz and prosound web (if you look)
but nobody says anything much about the oxford.
take from that what you will.
and do some research.
 
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