Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Waves V-Series vs API Collection vs SSL 4000 Collection -- I can only afford one

everythinglouder · 26th August 2009

Hello,

I have been demoing the Waves Studio Classics Collection for the past month and I wanted to get some user opinions.

I only can afford to buy one of the packs... the V-Series, the API, or the SSL 4000.

I mix ITB and primarily mix trailer music with sampled strings, brass, choir, perc, drums, bass, and guitar.

In the month I had the demo, I wasn't able to form a strong enough bias towards any one of the packs -- I was very impressed with each. I really loved the sound of the V-Series EQ's, especially the V-EQ3 on my Mix-Buss for overall mix sweetening. I found the V-EQ4 and the API 550B equally as good, although different, at smoothing out sampled strings and brass, which is very important to me. But I was more impressed with the API 2500 as a mix buss compressor than I was with the V-Series "2254" compressor. And as far as the SSL stuff, I loved all of it, but didn't have a chance to mess around with the SSL G-Master Compressor, and wonder if that compressor has more applications beyond just a mix-buss.

I'm interested, for those of you have spent some solid time with each, which pack you find the most versatile, which pack you find has the most character, etc. I absolutely do not mind the "vintage" sound of the EQ's. While I do primarily mix orchestral/rock hybrid music, I am just a sucker for smoother vintage sounds rather than super-transparent processors. Besides I have enough "transparent" EQ's and compressors with my Waves Silver bundle, the Sonalksis plugins, and the PSPaudioware plugins.

And before you try to steer me towards a UAD card... I'm on an iMac so that isn't an option.

I'd appreciate all the input I can get. Thanks very much.

EDIT: By the way, I would be purchasing the Native version of whichever bundle as I am a Logic user.

EDIT # 2: If there are people who would recommend spending the $750 on a handful of URS Native plugins instead, I'd gladly hear those recommendations. Just please specify which URS plugins you think are worth it... URS has pretty low prices at VintageKing and Sweetwater...

26th August 2009	#1
everythinglouder Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,088 Thread Starter	Waves V-Series vs API Collection vs SSL 4000 Collection -- I can only afford one Hello, I have been demoing the Waves Studio Classics Collection for the past month and I wanted to get some user opinions. I only can afford to buy one of the packs... the V-Series, the API, or the SSL 4000. I mix ITB and primarily mix trailer music with sampled strings, brass, choir, perc, drums, bass, and guitar. In the month I had the demo, I wasn't able to form a strong enough bias towards any one of the packs -- I was very impressed with each. I really loved the sound of the V-Series EQ's, especially the V-EQ3 on my Mix-Buss for overall mix sweetening. I found the V-EQ4 and the API 550B equally as good, although different, at smoothing out sampled strings and brass, which is very important to me. But I was more impressed with the API 2500 as a mix buss compressor than I was with the V-Series "2254" compressor. And as far as the SSL stuff, I loved all of it, but didn't have a chance to mess around with the SSL G-Master Compressor, and wonder if that compressor has more applications beyond just a mix-buss. I'm interested, for those of you have spent some solid time with each, which pack you find the most versatile, which pack you find has the most character, etc. I absolutely do not mind the "vintage" sound of the EQ's. While I do primarily mix orchestral/rock hybrid music, I am just a sucker for smoother vintage sounds rather than super-transparent processors. Besides I have enough "transparent" EQ's and compressors with my Waves Silver bundle, the Sonalksis plugins, and the PSPaudioware plugins. And before you try to steer me towards a UAD card... I'm on an iMac so that isn't an option. I'd appreciate all the input I can get. Thanks very much. EDIT: By the way, I would be purchasing the Native version of whichever bundle as I am a Logic user. EDIT # 2: If there are people who would recommend spending the $750 on a handful of URS Native plugins instead, I'd gladly hear those recommendations. Just please specify which URS plugins you think are worth it... URS has pretty low prices at VintageKing and Sweetwater...