| Of what you've listed, I just have the SSL stuff, which has a lot of color. I've only had it for a month or so, so my experience is limited. So far, I like the compressor especially on a drums Room mic at an aggressive setting with a more transparent compressor on the OH's (like the Sonalksis). I did the same sort of thing with a doubled nylon guitar rhythm part the other day, where I used the Sonalksis on one, and the SSL on the other at a more aggressive setting, which worked really well. Oh, and I've done it with a split bass signal as well.
I like the SSL eq for snares, and am still figuring out what I like the Channel Strip on. I've used it successfully on most drum mic's (most recently on kick), but haven't found it to be a go-to for something yet. I will say that I really like the gate on the strip. The Eq is nice too, but I'm still getting used to the compressor on it.
Basically I find myself leaning toward the SSL stuff when I want color, the Sonalksis when I want transparency. I also have the URS 1970, 75 and 80, which I use when I want a warm, aggressive color and more control over the parameters (typically on bass), but overall the SSL has a warmer color than the URS that really is quite nice and can be used quite effectively to shape the tone of an instrument (especially drums, in my experience so far). I'd be interested to know what other applications people are going to it for. |