AWS900 Reviews?

[Atari]

I heard a lot about the SSL AWS 900. Looks like a great desk for the price.
I couldn't find any thread about this. Who uses it and what do you think of it? What clients do you have for it?
Thank you.

[The MPCist]

There are lots of threads on this subject. Check again.


http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...archid=4715947

[radu.ionescu]

i worked for about 6 months one one and i really liked it, of course you dont have the same options as other ssl consoles but its ability to control PT is really nice. Now for the price it cost i think it's way too much, i'd rather buy a second hand SL4000, way many more stuff on it, comp/gate on each channel, inline design...

[PROAUDIOCHICAGO]

I have done a good amount of work on one. I think its an amazing console and you get alot for the price. Here are a 2 Major Cons and my ways around them.

Con #1 ....only 24 channels

Work around #1 ....... Actually has 32 inputs (4 stereo aux returns), and also a huge feature is the "BUSS INJECT" on the master stereo buss, you can inject another console, side care, or summing mixer there.

Con #2.. only 2 channel compressors/gates

Work around#2..... X-rack full of comps (8 channels per x-rack) i've found between 10ch of console comp/gate, outboard, and plugins you really dont need much else.

The pro's go on forever.

1. Plugs right into the wall
2. Amazing DAW controller (no more moving round plugin knobs with a mouse)
3. awsomation is super easy along with total recall
4. no high power bill due to 24/7 HVAC and huge hungry power supply
5. Such a short 100% balanced signal path that its cleaner and more in your face then most other SSL's
6. 24ch of eq (e or g)

As far as looking at buying used SSL's. Well I personally think that its not a very wise investment, actually a horrible investment to be frank.

1. not supported by SSL
2. parts have increased so much in price that most older 80's ssl consoles if they need heavy service (which most do) end up having a negative value (cost of repair and upkeep is more then its value)
3. alot of parts (particularly for the power supply) have LEAD in them and are illegal to manufacture in Europe so good luck getting those parts!!!
4. POWER HUNGRY MONSTERS with energy prices constantly going up you have to factor that in.
5. most need extreme ventilation and HVAC (MORE ENERGY $$$$$$)


Anyways after doing about 5 installs of this console and working on it myself its a HUGE thumbs up for me. Sure you can get a used SSl for 30-50k. Lets say you finance it, i can bet you that your overhead is less with an AWS because of energy, maintence, and additional install costs.

any other questions feel free to hit me up

[kosmokrator]

With this name, heritage, and pricetag, I expected the AWS to be top notch sound-wise. What really surprised me was the very sophisticated monitoring section. If you also do 5.1 or even postproduction, the desk shows that's it made for modern flexible studios.
It's not a scaled-down 9000, it's another desk. People tend to overlook that.
And, speaking of the missing compressors, for my mixes it's often better NOT having that option on every channel (no kidding!)

[PROAUDIOCHICAGO]

Amen to that. The 5.1 is huge. You reminded me of when i was at Real World and Marko the chief engineer was like "why do you Americans compress everything"

Needless to say I had no good answer ("mix it like a hit????")

[jslevin]

2. Amazing DAW controller (no more moving round plugin knobs with a mouse)

Gee, you're kind of damning it with faint praise -- you could give the same compliment about a Mackie Control. How does using the AWS compare to using other high-end controllers, which I guess would be either an old ProControl or an ICON?

JSL

[PROAUDIOCHICAGO]

Its more the fact that its all built into SSL. Obviously its not a big deal to have a controller but its all very quick and ergonomically placed where everything is within arms reach. Some people forget about the plugin control screen. Unlike a procontrol it actually displays all of your parameters and plugins on the screen (instead of shoved into the leds strips on the console)without the need to even look at protools.

i guess you really just have to get your hands on one.

[ndogg]

I read the manual and the monitor section looks amazing on paper, esepcially if you're interested in 5.1...

ahem...

I REALLY REALLY WISH SSL WOULD SELL THE CENTRE SECTION AS A STANDALONE UNIT!!! (Please include the compressor, too)

Thanks for letting me get that out...

[bforest4]

I wish they would come out with an AWS with Compressors instead of Mic Pres. This would be way more useful for mixing and most people have a nice collection of outboard pres.

[Mind-Over-Midi]

Originally Posted by bforest4

I wish they would come out with an AWS with Compressors instead of Mic Pres. This would be way more useful for mixing and most people have a nice collection of outboard pres.

If you have the cash to pick up an AWS, is it really going to kill you to spend the extra 16k (U.S.) needed to buy a couple of x-racks loaded with compressors?

[chops909]

Interested in this "buss inject" feature.
What is that exactly?
Does it not have any gain stage or something, need exlpanations please.

si

[PROAUDIOCHICAGO]

Here is the part from the manual about this feature if your looking at the SSL its the ∑ button.

[AnAverageJoe]

How Much does the 900+ cost and how different is it from the 900?

[Meriphew]

I think the AWS would be worth the cost of admission if it had another 12 channels on it. 24 isn't enough at that price IMO.

[C.Lambrechts]

last I heard there were like 1500 Icon's sold worldwide ... I wonder how many AWS's are out there. I tried to look it up but could only find an announcement stating they sold 150 in the first year.

[PROAUDIOCHICAGO]

I'm guessing there are around 300 or so. The Icon is a great product for post and hi-traffic places, it makes alot of sence for alot of studios, not to mention the help of the main stream marketing machine called Digidesign.

As for as the SSL having another 12 channels, no problem get an X-rack with a master section and 3- 4ch summing cards or 2-8 channel cards for 16ch more. Then insert them into the BUSS inject of the SSL AWS, the best part is they can even be synced up through TOTAL RECALL, by them selves the SSL X-rack's have their own built in Total Recall. I have done a few installs of just the Summing X-rack and A summing option with the AWS. with a full X-rack you could have an 80 input aws900 or 900+. (7 8ch summing input modules)

The difference in the 900 and 900 plus are computer upgrades (which you can upgrade on an non + model)

The rest is mostly cosmetic, Silver more hi tech look on the + and the scribble strip LED displays are a lot nicer (more digits 2 fields high as opposed to the regular AWS that has 2 separate led strips per channel)

Slightly Larger TFT screen in console center, also hipper more modern desk legs (used to be a $2000 option)

Also i know that the AWS+ comes with Total Recall and Awsomation, used to be a separate $$$$ charge when buying the console.

[seaneldon]

i sold and installed 2 of the old ones (not the +). they sound pretty good and the owners are very happy even 2 years later. wayyyyyyyyy pricey, though there are a couple of three available for sale on ebay now for (relatively, of course) cheap dollars.

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by PROAUDIOCHICAGO

As for as the SSL having another 12 channels, no problem get an X-rack with a master section and 3- 4ch summing cards or 2-8 channel cards for 16ch more.

I hear you, but I don't think there's enough bang for the buck (24 channels for $90k).

BTW, cool avatar. Elektron rocks.

[krytikal1]

I mixed on one for about 3 weeks last summer, and needless to say i was less than impressed. at least considering the price point. there are no lowpass filters (which i enjoy using) and the centerbuss compressor sounded kind of mushy. i had an outboard x logic compressor, and when i a-b'd the two the outboard blew it away (even thought they were supposed to be the same technology). i mostly mix on the 4000, and although the eq does the ssl thing, the rest of the board didn't do it for me.

i agree with radu.ionescu, and i would rather spend that much on an orginal even with the headache of upkeep or needing a machine room. and if you need help, bruce at desk doctor isn't going anywhere soon.

K

[Atari]

But is an older desk not a bit of a risk. When you buy a AWS normally you should be covered for at least ten years of no problem-working. If you buy a second hand ssl you don't know what's it's state is going to be after a year. What you also don't have is the total recall wich is much of a help in modern studios. Working fast. You dó get a lot more for a better price though. Ánd the AWS has 5.1 ánd is a lot less power consuming. That the comps are not the best in the world is as far is i care. I think the rack is an option or some good outboards.

[krytikal1]

(But is an older desk not a bit of a risk. When you buy a AWS normally you should be covered for at least ten years of no problem-working. If you buy a second hand ssl you don't know what's it's state is going to be after a year. What you also don't have is the total recall wich is much of a help in modern studios. Working fast.)



for sure. i think any used or older piece of gear is a risk. it all depends on what you want. i do the hybrid thing all the time. recall sheets suck, but they work. digital cameras work great for recalls also. (as do assistants with decent writing i agree with ease of use and quick returns to recalls and such, but each of us has to come up with what we feel is the sound we want to be known for. i just think that particular one is about 40-50k overpriced.

K