SSL Duende X-Comp - infu**incredible!

[WunderBro Flo]

beware this is nothing but a praise post!

Just played around with the SSL X-Comp on drumkits....this thing is KILLING me! I really did not think I would ever want another compressor plugin again, got too many already. But this X-comp plugin is unique...it can do things to kick drums you won´t believe. I tried to match the sound with other plugins but nothing came close, they simply did not have the options to be set like the X-comp sounds - especially the bleed-through parameters for bass and highs are something that let you shape the sound so incredibly well...and it also kills on the drumbuss - bypassing it leaves you wondering "what the hell have I done before I had this??? without it stuff sounds so boring in comparison" .DAMN I NEEEED to BUY it.....hate to pay 370.- euro just for another plugin.....especially cause I still need to buy the UAD SPL transient designer as well....
somebody send me some cash, I am addicted to this sh*t.....

no seriously, afaik there is no compressor plugin out there that has fully parametric bleed-though parameters for bass and highs. this is absolutely the best sounding feature on a compressor ever, as far as drumprocessing goes. It gives you all the SSL punch&attack&aggression and lets you correct the bass and highs in a way no other comp does. Duende owners try it out, this is a sleeper!

Rock ON!
Pat

[Savernake]

I can't wait to... leopard drivers will hopefully be real soon

[Dirty Halo]

When it was called the Transient Designer.

-a

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

When it was called the Transient Designer.

-a

hmmmmm....not sure what you mean.....

[AKAT-1]

Is the latency as bad as the other plug-ins? I'm guessing it's the same..

It's an expensive add on after you've bought the box me thinks but it sounds like it might just be worth the outlay. Do you have the X-EQ too? Be interested to hear about that one too..

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by WildCowboys

hmmmmm....not sure what you mean.....

It means what the poster likes about this "new" functuin IS the Transient Designer, their innonvation (and SSL sort of give zero credit to this fact... and it's not like just a new take on a standard piece of gear, the Transient Designer is a totally NEW appoach and technology)...if you really want to hear how good that works, SPL's Transient Designer is THE thing to get (and this comes from someone who owns both)

-a

[Sqye]

.

yeah, you wanna hear some crazy sh*t -

check out the elysia mastering compressor!

...THAT thing is KILLING on drums - holy F*CK....

HERE
.

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

It means what the poster likes about this "new" functuin IS the Transient Designer, their innonvation (and SSL sort of give zero credit to this fact... and it's not like just a new take on a standard piece of gear, the Transient Designer is a totally NEW appoach and technology)...if you really want to hear how good that works, SPL's Transient Designer is THE thing to get (and this comes from someone who owns both)

-a

I am the original poster and I was talking about the ssl x-comp (does not have transient anything), not the drumstrip (which has a transient shaper). besides, the sonnox transient modulator has ten times more control and sound options than the spl td. works much better for me, more options equal better sound for me in this case.

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by Sqye

.

yeah, you wanna hear some crazy sh*t -

check out the elysia mastering compressor!

...THAT thing is KILLING on drums - holy F*CK....

HERE
.

I am sure it is a cool sounding unit, just like many other highend comps out there....but the thing that makes the x-comp stand out is that it has a unique feature - the blend parameter for highs and lows. it is basically parallel compression for separate feeuqencybands - no other comp I know of gives you that feature. and it happens to sound stellar on drums.....you can smack the kick with the signature SSL smack and then dial the bass back in like with no other comp....before I used to eq the bass back up after the SSL smacking, but with the x-comp I have more sonic options that happen to be perfect for what I like....

[preben]

And besides the unique feature it actually sounds great on its own as well. I'm using it a lot on vocals and bass here - two areas where I DIDN'T expect to be blown away by it.

[Chick Cherry]

Well I'm glad someone else is digging it, because I've been using it for a month or two now and it's the business for drums!

I daren't try the X-EQ also...

[The Beatsmith]

it's the bees knees

the plugin i love more than it though, is the X-EQ!!!! best. EQ. out! compliments the channel strip EQ nicely.

i should spend more time with the X-comp for sure...

[vixapphire]

Originally Posted by Sqye

.

yeah, you wanna hear some crazy sh*t -

check out the elysia mastering compressor!

...THAT thing is KILLING on drums - holy F*CK....

HERE
.

anything that looks that cool had better sound the business!

hell, i'd take one of those "fake front panel" display versions of that for my rack, just for the optics.

[tsol]

i fully second the original poster and i confirm: the SSL X Comp is totally unique with beyond OVERKILLING and unique capabilities of processing sound, NO WORDS can explain the what it does, you really have to try it and hear it on your own.

also, as speaking strictly within the domain of SOFTWARE/DSP POWERED processing filters, and from everything i own and i have tried out (waves, tc, uad, psp or whatever is out there) NOTHING is ever comparable to the SSL X-Comp (could have been even said it is issued from alien technology, who knows? lol )

its gonna be certainly the future legend of the new virtual/digital music ages.
i got 9 precious hours of demo time left on mine..

im fine with this SSL X COMP PRAISE POST because i understand the what experienced the guy who started this post

[MaZi]

What's gone into you guys? Are you possessed or something?

Seriously, I wish I could start using my Duende beyond driver version 1.5 Everything else casues errors on my PC, so no X-comp, no X-eq, no Drumstrip, no nothing. All I get is bus compressor and channel strip, which are I must admit really good, but for all the more refined bits I have to look elsewhere. Please, Jim, SSL, anybody, what am I to do?


PS.

Sorry I pissed on your parade, I really am no killjoy, but having paid so much money for this, I regularly visit forums in hope for some good news on non stable Duende. And all I find is drooling over the amazingness that I can't use.

[Jim@SSL]

Originally Posted by MaZi

What's gone into you guys? Are you possessed or something?

Seriously, I wish I could start using my Duende beyond driver version 1.5 Everything else casues errors on my PC, so no X-comp, no X-eq, no Drumstrip, no nothing. All I get is bus compressor and channel strip, which are I must admit really good, but for all the more refined bits I have to look elsewhere. Please, Jim, SSL, anybody, what am I to do?


PS.

Sorry I pissed on your parade, I really am no killjoy, but having paid so much money for this, I regularly visit forums in hope for some good news on non stable Duende. And all I find is drooling over the amazingness that I can't use.

PM me your support incident number and I'll have a word with the team for you.

[The Beatsmith]

what kind of uses are you finding for the x-comp? i am finding it hard to find good use for, a bit like the channel strip comp...

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by The Beatsmith

what kind of uses are you finding for the x-comp? i am finding it hard to find good use for, a bit like the channel strip comp...

try it on kickdrums and drumbuss mixes, that´s where I like it most. The channelstrip comps are also most useful on hard whacking of drums and compression that should sound like "whoa this sh*t is slammed"...

Rock on!
Pat

[manthe]

Just joined the X-Comp and X-EQ club. It is tough to explain, but I am not a hypocrite...well, maybe i am

HOLY COW.

I have been pretty outspoken about this product to date (on both sides of the fence).

When these tools first hit, I did my absolute best not to fully evaluate them. i knew it would just leave my stomach in knots wanting them. In fact, I may have even said 'bahhh - who needs e'm?!?' Sour grapes, really!

I also made that mistake with Drumstrip early on and paid the price! I'm such a dumbass!

All I can say is that these 2 plugs are not only the 2 most brilliantly engineered pieces I've ever used, the sound quality is equally as stunning as the Channel Strip and Bus Comp...even more-so on some things.

Call me stupi---and this is just my opinion---but I really believe the Duende should go down as THE thing that began to bridge the gap between hardware and software.

I am seriously considering selling off my 4 UAD-1 cards, getting a PCIe Duende and committing to it as my ITB solution...Once they fix the DSP 3 bug!

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by manthe

I am seriously considering selling off my 4 UAD-1 cards, getting a PCIe Duende and committing to it as my ITB solution...Once they fix the DSP 3 bug!

I would not go that far!
The X-Comp is great, but it is no substitute for the fabulous UAD plugins. It won´t substitute a 1176, fairchild, precision series...UAD has so many different plugins. X.comp is a great addition, but never ever would I part with my 4 UAD cards.

I liked the X-EQ as well, but it is not so outstandingly better than other excellene software EQs. The big plus of the two SSL plugs is that they are much more versatile than the standard SSL processing. more bands, more overlap, wider parameter ranges - all with the excellent Duende sound. I would happily trade the Duende channel strips against the X.comp and X.eq, but they are no substitute for UAD (and vice versa).

[manthe]

Just wanted to report back a few weeks later in to a 14 song mix project...

X-Comp on the 2Bus of every song that I've mixed for this project so far - Like nothing I've ever used before. It is like opening a birthday present every time I load a new instance. There has been absolutely nothing that I've thrown at it that it doesn't handle with grace and ability. The frequency 'ignoring' feature is possibly the coolest feature I've ever seen on a non-multiband compressor. It has the 'expensive' SSL sound, can be pushed ultra-hard, made to sound completely modern or completely classic (and everything in between) and is just the most versatile compressor I've ever used hardware or software. It also sounds as good as a lot of good or great outboards...and a lot better than crap outboards, IMO (I know because I have currently and in the past, owned both ).

I have it on the 2Bus for 11 songs now. I also have it on various tracks throughout those 8 songs. It is really just blowing me away. Not all of these songs sound the same either. There is some versatility in the sounds and instruments, arrangements, intensities, etc. X-Comp is more than versatile enough for every one of them. Basically, I've definitely found my new 2Bus comp and a new 'top 5' compressor! I just wanted to gush about it more.

PS - The X-EQ is equally amazing. I have that on every 2Bus as well, but only for HPF/LPF. But that is a whole new thread.

[WunderBro Flo]

I was about to sell my Duende because I got so many other good digital toys (4xUAD, Liquid Mix, PoCo)....though the standard duende plugins are really good, there is not lots of versatility. but I just did not want to live without the x-comp....so instead of getting some hundreds back from selling the duende I bought the x-comp yesterday. man, I have not ever liked a comp on the 2buss this much, with the right settings it just sounds like I always imagined it should be but never quite was with traditional compressors. the blend features just kill. it is similay but then again different from multiband dynamics. it does not sound like multiband....it sounds like all the "good" of compression minus the "bad". Love it...

fortunately the EQs in the LiquidMix and UAD are stellar, so I did not hear any benefit from the X-EQ demo.....

Rock on!
Pat

[elambo]

HUGE fan of the X-Comp here. It has some unique and intuitive options and the sound is amazing.

[Serra]

Yes the x-comp really is incredible. I have one PCIe slot left on my Mac Pro. I can understand Manthes dilema between Duende and UAD. I am not sure how I will use this last slot, I will either go for a second UAD card, a second Duende, or a Symphony audio card to get 16 outs to a Dangerous 2-bus box. No sure which will have the most impact on the mixes. I feel you can do a lot more on a Duende in terms of processing than on a UAD card. I just seem to run off CPU on my one UAD card very quickly when mixing compared to the duende. Of course that depends on the plug in you are using. Is there a way to increase PCIe slots on a MAC PRO? are there extension boxes like there are for PCs? I really liked the UAD when I got it, but I am becoming less and less willing to spend valuable PCIe slots on plug ins, given the amazing quality plug ins which don't ask for a PCIe slot like the Sonnox and other native stuff. Not sure if I will keep both duende and UAD, might get rid of one to make room for more of the other, and just invest on Native plug ins when I need more. How did you guys solve this?

[manthe]

Originally Posted by Serra

Is there a way to increase PCIe slots on a MAC PRO? are there extension boxes like there are for PCs?

Yes! PCI(e) expansion chassis typically work just as well and seamlessly on a Mac as they do for PCs.

I know it would be stupid of SSL and probably pointless, but I wish they made a PCI Duende as well! My Magma is PCI only. I do have 2 PCIe slots on my mobo, 1 of which is taken by a UAD-1 card. Depending on the size of the PCIe Duende, it may or may not physically fit on my board. With the UAD-1 heatsink, there is very little room left!

I am actually attempting to sell my UAD kit right now. But, If I were to keep it, I might actually trade some one my PCIe UAD-1 card for their PCI. That way all 4 UADs would be in my Magma and I'd have ample room for expansion on my mobo.

I'm really glad that it appears SSL has comitted to the Duende. I really hope they make it more universally stable and continue to put out a larger variety of plugs at the same caliber.

[Serra]

Thanks for the feedback Manthe. Does that mean at the moment you feel safe to give up the UAD for the Duende? in other words, where you use UAD you will be using Duende and other stuff? I really like the Duende, its fantastic, I also like the UAD... but I just find completely awful to need 4 cards to properly run the plug ins on a big project... they should think of a more efficient equipment. From what I have seen these Magma expansions are quite expensive and I much rather buy new instruments or anything than increase the room for a plug in that needs so many PCIe slots. The Duende you have 32 mono channels (!!!), with the UAD you soon run out of CPU if you are using only one card. I know people are probably used to this by now, but this is quite awful in my view. I should not have to worry about buying more third party hardware to make room for UAD cards. They should worry about selling a proper hardware that can take the processing that we need, like SSL has. I am not sure if I looking at the right Magma expansions, but they seem to cost at least 2000 dollars, thats like 2 duende!!!! than you think again, should I sell all UAD and go completely Duende and Native or should I spend 2000 dollars to make room for more UAD cards since it seems I can't do much with one, unlike the Duende. I was really happy with the UAD sound when I got it. Brilliant work they do, but I was equally frustrated with the cpu limitation issue. With the Duende, I was just happy with the sound since I have 32 channels!! This has workflow implications. With UAD, I have been finding myself getting the dynamics I want for specific sounds during the takes, since I want to leave CPU for mixing tasks/applications later on. This is a workaround for not having many UAD cards. With the Duende's many channels I can worry about all this whe mixing. From now I will not buy equipment that makes me buy third party stuff (like Magma), the real price of UAD is MUCH higher than SSL Duende considering this issue. I don't mind buyind their hardware (cards whatever) but they should make something that you can actually use on a proper project without needing to buy 2000 dollars plus gear grom someone else. Congratulations SSL for thinking about this and making the best use of our few an valuable PCIe slots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[diff caliber]

Grave Digger!!!!!!!!


......but two years later and the ssl eq and comp is still the hottest Mutha F'en plugin. Trying to save up for the real thing if it sounds anything like it.

[WunderBro Flo]

Originally Posted by diff caliber

Grave Digger!!!!!!!!


......but two years later and the ssl eq and comp is still the hottest Mutha F'en plugin. Trying to save up for the real thing if it sounds anything like it.

There is no hardware equivalent to the X-Comp, the hardware SSL compressors are different in sound and parameters. I think they were aiming for "lets make a really good sounding unique compressor" as opposed to "let´s make an SSL sounding compressor with some new features". The more I used it the more I realized that it does not sound like a typical SSL compressor (which are very obvious sounding, great for some things) but like a compressor that can be very effective while being smooth and undetectable and fast, all at the same time.

[diff caliber]

Originally Posted by WunderBro Flo

There is no hardware equivalent to the X-Comp, the hardware SSL compressors are different in sound and parameters. I think they were aiming for "lets make a really good sounding unique compressor" as opposed to "let´s make an SSL sounding compressor with some new features". The more I used it the more I realized that it does not sound like a typical SSL compressor (which are very obvious sounding, great for some things) but like a compressor that can be very effective while being smooth and undetectable and fast, all at the same time.

Well that sucks to hear that. The reason why I love it is because its so smooth adding just enough character but at the same time doesn't add to much color. The bleed modes gives you so much versatility. Also the eq is probably THE most underrated eq's. Again just a little bit of character but def. not too heavy like the e and g channel. A week ago I finally used the reverb and thought it was decent also. That and the renaissance family are probably my favorite sets of plugins.