SSL Alpha Channel anybody?

[SparkyCanada]

Hey there.

Wondering if anyone has played with the SSL Alpha Channel yet? (not even sure if it's available yet...)

I'm in the market for a new single space channel strip. I'm hoping to use it in my studio but also - yes also - on the road in my rack as a live mic pre-amp.

I'll be plugging a Neumann KMS 105 into it on stage & my Soundelux E49 & other Neumann & AKG mics in the studio.

Thanks,

SparkyCanada

[SparkyCanada]

Or if someone has an alternate suggestion for a single space channel strip...?

Thanks,

SparkyCanada

[jdjustice]

i have not used the Alpha Channel.

there are a few threads regarding that channel strip that have been created on GS but i cannot remember anyone who actually stated they had hands-on experience with it.
perhaps it is just too new?
i think it is shipping, so maybe soon there will be some reviews here.

making a recommendation for a single-space channel strip is difficult because of the single-space requirement.
in fact, the only single-space channel that comes to mind immediately other than the SSL stuff is the API 7600 unit.

there has been some discussion on whether the SSL preamps in their new gear (XLogic) are improvements at all over the basic preamps in their consoles.
of course, many people feel that SSL preamps are in the league of Mackie, and are decent preamps but don't have much personality.

not having used the product i can't dis on it but if i were choosing a setup for the studio i would look elsewhere..
the Alpha Channel might be just perfect for a live setup however.

why the one-space requirement?
if you drop this request there are all kinds of options in 2U or even 3U sizes.




sorry if this post wasn't very helpful.....
i saw that you had posted questions re: this device in two forums and i thought i would at least try to get the ball rolling on getting you an answer.




cheers.
~j.d.

[bobwarren]

I thought the Alpha Channel just looked cheap to me campared to the XLogic rack. I like SSL, but I think you can get better bang for your buck with a better channel strip for your application.

[SparkyCanada]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess my concern about this piece is the lack of talk about it.

You are right jdjustice - it is fairly new - but this group is usually on top of the trends & I've usually been able to get a good idea about a new product based on the comments here (still no substitute for listening to the gear - but at least it helps me narrow down my choices...)

bobwarren - you suggested a better "bang for the buck" with other channel strips - do you have any suggestions I shouild consider? I'm having trouble finding single space units.

Thanks,

SparkyCanada

[Dean Landon]

Sparky- as on the DUC.

I've been testing one for a month with a Peluso 2247LE and it sounds quite good. It's a very clean mic-pre. The EQ is usable. The Lite Limiter is just that, lite. I've been using it with the LA2A and 1176 instead. The great feature is the Variable Harmonic Drive. IMO SSL really doesn't have a sound unless you add a little color using the VHD. If you're looking for a very transparent mic-pre, you'll like the Alpha, and if you want to dirty things up a little, using just the right amount of VHD will give you that.

[guitates]

I got 2, and I am amazed at the versatility. and pristine sound. The harmonic drive is adding the personality that SSL have had for decades, with the thousands of hit records, when you said " where did that vocalist get that "bite" and clarity.

I could not beleive the piano sound, compared to what I got before.

The S/Pdif feature is so warm and fat, as I send it to my Rosetta, and the Rosetta sends back the "clock". You record 2 channels of S/Pdif L & R, and the L channel is at 0 db and the R channel of S/Pdif is at -12, and this worked great, as I chose the personality of the L or R. (this is with only 1 Alpha for vocal).

The EQ is great, as I add very subtle Cut or boost, and the lite limit is a plus as it glows red if there is too much level.

For $1600 US ea. this is the Hit Song sound for a reasonable price, and the 1 space thing worked just perfect for the rack space I had - ;-} ,

[Jim@SSL]

Glad to hear that you're getting on well with them

As well as being neutral front-end, they're also pretty good to "abuse"... slamming a drum loop into it, squanking (??) it up with the VHD and EQ and then hard onto the limiter. Very cool for some lo-fi noisiness.

And J.D.....

"SSL preamps are in the league of Mackie" ????????

Who said that? I'll have 'em.

[Dean Landon]

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

And J.D.....

"SSL preamps are in the league of Mackie" ????????

Who said that? I'll have 'em.

Personally, I think SSL preamps are in the league of Behringer!!!

My SSL Alpha is in the league of....well, SSL.

Dis ain't no stinkin' Mackie.

[xcessbass]

This thing is very nice for the money. 2 channel AD(yes just route the second channel into the return and it gets panned to the right on the spfif) It has a clear and present sound. The eq is very usable but this is the big but the VHD is very subtle so trying to get a dirty sound is difficult because the VHD is gain related and you have to hit the preamp pretty hard to hear a big difference.

Just my $0.02

[xcessbass]

I understand you work at SSl but is the VHD really supposed to be that subtle?

Thanks
Hemal

[Jim@SSL]

As has been posted, the VHD is gain related. You only really start to add harmonic drive once the preamp starts to clip. Once it does, you choose the way in which it does so - either with 2nd harmonic distortion, 3rd harmonic distortion, or a blend of both.

When tracking and using the preamp gently it is a pretty subtle effect. Nice certainly, but subtle.

When re-amping or DI'ing then you can push things a bit harder and this is when the unit really starts to squeal.

VHD as a concept came about because after spending years chasing the holy grail of "cleanest possible" with the SuperAnalogue circuits, we worked out that sometimes "dirty" sounds good too. It's not just the clever design and perfection in your circuits that sounds good, it's some of the imperfections too... So what we have now is (we think) a great blend of the two tones in a single circuit.

[karas]

Originally Posted by Imagine

Personally, I think SSL preamps are in the league of Behringer!!!

My SSL Alpha is in the league of....well, SSL.

Dis ain't no stinkin' Mackie.

Why people are thinking about SSL preamps are in the league of Behringer or Mackie?
Because of sound, cheap parts, price?

[Dean Landon]

Originally Posted by karas

Why people are thinking about SSL preamps are in the league of Behringer or Mackie?
Because of sound, cheap parts, price?

They're facetious remarks.

The SSL Alpha sounds great!

[xcessbass]

Thanks Jim!
I wish that were written clearly in the manual. Even the 2nd channel of AD is not mentioned in the manual but it kind of mentioned it on the front of the box so I tried it out. This thing sounds amazing! I tried it on a pair of tablas and it sounded so nice. I am going to try and post some clips. It was recorded with one AT 4041 and it sounded good with a bit of EQ but then again it may be the mic. Do you happen to have any specs on the AD what chipset it is and maybe noise specs.


Thanks

Hemal

[Duardo]

I thought the Alpha Channel just looked cheap to me campared to the XLogic rack. I like SSL, but I think you can get better bang for your buck with a better channel strip for your application.

Is that based purely on how it looks, or have you actually used it?

-Duardo

[Jim@SSL]

The AD is stereo. So, how to get 2 channels into your DAW...

On the SPDIF output it carries 2 signals;
one that is post mic pre (pre insert, pre EQ, pre limiter) on the left channel,
and one that is post insert, EQ, and limiter on the right channel.

You can use the Insert Sum return as a second input, and this would come through on SPDIF R.

It's not exactly a stereo in, and does mean that you can't use the EQ and limiter on one input. However, it does mean that you can get 2 signals through the box.

Why did we design it this way?

Well, this works a bit like a console. The idea was that you could set it up as a mic pre input stage and as an inserted EQ on a pre-recorded track. A bit like a console really...

Alos, we wanted to offer "clean" and "wet" recording options. Sometimes you EQ something while recording and it's not right. Having the ability to record an unprocessed track at the same time can be a useful "safety" setup.

[Doc No]

Originally Posted by xcessbass

Thanks Jim!
I wish that were written clearly in the manual. Even the 2nd channel of AD is not mentioned in the manual but it kind of mentioned it on the front of the box so I tried it out. This thing sounds amazing! I tried it on a pair of tablas and it sounded so nice. I am going to try and post some clips. It was recorded with one AT 4041 and it sounded good with a bit of EQ but then again it may be the mic. Do you happen to have any specs on the AD what chipset it is and maybe noise specs.


Thanks

Hemal

Where did you post it?