SSL Duality vs API Legacy+

[tallboy79]

Hey people...I'm new here so go easy! I was curious to know if anyone has worked with either of these desks and what feedback you could give. I realise they'll be very different but I've been presented with these desks as an option for a new studio I may be working in and have no experience on either. They'll be used along side a Pro Tools HD3 rig.

Thanks

[Jim@SSL]

Well, you'll be able to guess what my opinion is

FWIW, there are quite a few features on our website about Duality installs, and there are a few people here in the forum lucky enough to own them! A search will probably bring up some easy links...

Failing that, being in London gives you an advantage or two...

You're only an hour down the road from the factory - get in touch

or

Gearbox are the first hire company in the world to have one on stock, so you could rent one for a session (they do white rooms too) and give it a full test drive!

[nlc201]

Tracking or mixing?

API might fare better in the tracking department, especially if you dig that classic API "sound".


SSL might fare better in the mix department with it's incredible automation and systems integration. Recall too!!!!



Depends on the configuration you want as well.

[tallboy79]

Thanks...I am going to give both of them a try but at the moment I am leaning more towards the duality as I'm going to have quite a bit of api outboard stuff with some neve stuff too. Let's see how the testing goes....

[PhilE]

In London I'd do API I think... Only Rak that I know of has API consoles whereas there are several SSL rooms.
Where is the studio going to be? Is it going to be your own room or is someone building a new comercial facility in London?

[tallboy79]

You're not the first person to say that actually...API would be a lot more rare in london...I don't have much information at the moment as to where and when as I'm just at the early stages of sorting things out (don't wanna curse it). But it will be my own room as part of a new company...I'm sure when it all happens I'll be back on here to tell you all about my new goodies!!!

[Benmrx]

API all the way......although I can't say I've worked on a Duality. But I did cut my teeth on an API Legacy Console, and it was pretty damn nice.

That same studio had an SSL mix room (9000J) I think, and I always prefferred mixing on the API with Uptown Automation.

[tallboy79]

Cheers...it's all helping. Just can't wait to have a go on one and hear the magic for myself!!

[delcosmos]

For mixing I choose SSL for tracking it shoul be lovely to track through an API console, but I don't know if I prefer to have 4 or 8 Api pres instead of 24 ot 48, and something less colored for mixing, I don't know, I'm sure that having an api console must be amazing, I can speak about the Duality, I love it!!!!

Best regards.

Armando Avila

[tallboy79]

Very good point...I wouldn't want something that is too intrusive sound wise when it comes to mixing. Also the functionality of the duality is gonna be miles ahead and will probably lend itself to a wider variety of musical styles and jumping from project to project! Thanks for your feedback.thumbsup

[Benmrx]

Originally Posted by tallboy79

Very good point...I wouldn't want something that is too intrusive sound wise when it comes to mixing

It's what makes the world go 'round. I'm looking for all the color I can get. 2" tape, transformers, tubes, ect. I can't get enough! Although I don't really record any classical music. It's pretty much all rock bands of some type.

And personally, I love the idea of a studio having its own "sound". Instead of trying to cater to all styles.

[Meriphew]

I think I'd be pretty happy with either, but given the choice, I'd take a Legacy Plus.

[seaneldon]

though they'll have some common "console" features, it's my opinion that they're two completely different beasts designed for two different sectors of the "console market", if such a thing even exists.

chances are...if you knew all (shit, even MOST OF) the facts about each console, spent time on either one of them, etc, you'd already know which one would better suit the room you're building and the way you want to work. i mean...they sound and work COMPLETELY different. this is a major purchase for anyone. educating yourself on the products outside of being "steered" towards them by who I would imagine is a commissioned sales guy is the smartest thing you'll ever do.

[tallboy79]

Originally Posted by seaneldon

though they'll have some common "console" features, it's my opinion that they're two completely different beasts designed for two different sectors of the "console market", if such a thing even exists.

chances are...if you knew all (shit, even MOST OF) the facts about each console, spent time on either one of them, etc, you'd already know which one would better suit the room you're building and the way you want to work. i mean...they sound and work COMPLETELY different. this is a major purchase for anyone. educating yourself on the products outside of being "steered" towards them by who I would imagine is a commissioned sales guy is the smartest thing you'll ever do.

Well said and trust me there won't be any purchasing going on without testing..I just wanted to get some more opinions of any users of the gear as part of my educating myself on them.

Thanks for the comment.thumbsup

[Legacy Audio]

I'm not quite sure where the myth of heavy colour in an API comes from. Anyone who has actually mixed a record on one will certainly tell you otherwise. Nowhere near as coloured as an old 80 series Neve.

An API console is fairly clean and open, packs a punch and has gobs of headroom (so the mix doesn't fold up). The Uptown automation is pretty comprehensive and routing signals all over the place is not a problem via the extensive patchbay. The bottom end is broad but tight and just bringing up your ProTools session on the faders will make you smile when you start to hear depth and width reappear.

While it doesn't have all the recall features of an SSL, the sound coming back makes up for it in spades.

[The MPCist]

SSL would be my choice obviously.

[Hobbyist]

Originally Posted by Legacy Audio

I'm not quite sure where the myth of heavy colour in an API comes from. Anyone who has actually mixed a record on one will certainly tell you otherwise. Nowhere near as coloured as an old 80 series Neve.

An API console is fairly clean and open, packs a punch and has gobs of headroom (so the mix doesn't fold up). The Uptown automation is pretty comprehensive and routing signals all over the place is not a problem via the extensive patchbay. The bottom end is broad but tight and just bringing up your ProTools session on the faders will make you smile when you start to hear depth and width reappear.

While it doesn't have all the recall features of an SSL, the sound coming back makes up for it in spades.

This is what I was thinking... On an API, I can leave more flat straight through mix than any other console. It's not uncommon not to have to touch overheads for instance... Anything acoustic sounds brilliant through it.

Most mixing is great as well, but you don't have all the flexibility... It leans purely on sound. Recall isn't bad since all the eq's are notched.

The few studios here in Nashville that put them in stay very busy because of them, but it's mostly tracking.

The style of music and work I think would dictate what direction you should go...

[Jack P]

Originally Posted by Legacy Audio

I'm not quite sure where the myth of heavy colour in an API comes from. Anyone who has actually mixed a record on one will certainly tell you otherwise. Nowhere near as coloured as an old 80 series Neve.

I love colour !!! Neve 80 series mixing all the way..

Back on subject - In london an API legacy would work..