Anyone enjoying SSL's SuperAnalogue Mic pres?

[stevetgn]

I'm not talking about the VHD pre's here just the SuperAnalogue one's.

Who's using them and what do you prefer them for?

Cheers

Steve

[Daedalus77]

I do not own them, but I have used them. I found them lackluster. Not "bad," just not having much "character" (like anything in either API or Neve territory). And not "clean" and euphonic, like, say Hardy. Just kinda..."there."

Now the EQ I liked a lot.

I know it's a cliche that SSL preamps have never been that great but that generalization has been bourne out, in my experience.

Others will disagree.

Best of luck.

[stevetgn]

Originally Posted by Daedalus77

I do not own them, but I have used them. I found them lackluster. Not "bad," just not having much "character" (like anything in either API or Neve territory). And not "clean" and euphonic, like, say Hardy. Just kinda..."there."

Now the EQ I liked a lot.

I know it's a cliche that SSL preamps have never been that great but that generalization has been bourne out, in my experience.

Others will disagree.

Best of luck.

Cheers for the reply. I have API and "colour" I was just wondering if SSL's super clean was super nice and worth a try.

[Jack Ruston]

Yes definitely. Ultra hi fi...very SSL sounding. Great for things which need a lot of attack and sort of 'compressed brightness' if you know what I mean. Good for making dynamic mics take on a more condensor-like charchter when used with the eq. I use them on things like snare drums, and christina style female vocals etc.

J

[stevetgn]

Originally Posted by Jack Ruston

Yes definitely. Ultra hi fi...very SSL sounding. Great for things which need a lot of attack and sort of 'compressed brightness' if you know what I mean. Good for making dynamic mics take on a more condensor-like charchter when used with the eq. I use them on things like snare drums, and christina style female vocals etc.

J

Are they not a bit "hard" or "clinical" for snare or vocals compared to say API or 1073 type?

How do they perform on say overheads, acoustic guitar mics, bass, brass and strings etc?

[samw@SSL]

Hi,

One thing that I would comment on is our Mic pre amps are extremely clean and natural, which IMHO allows you to hear the quality of your microphone.

Especially if you have a nice large diaphragm condenser..........

I like the fact that the "capture" or recording is as pure as possible, I prefer so I can experiment in the post production or mixing process.

I believe this is quite an English way of working, and for my friends on the other side of the pond perhaps the "mojo" of the VHD pre might be better?

However it is probably a good thing, and part of the Gearslutz manifesto, to have a big range of lots of different pres!

Sam
Solid State Logic

[carlheinz]

Ive used the AWS900+.

I was impressed.You can use the super analog pre's for anything.DETAILED AND CLEAN with very wide and linear bandwith YET NOT CLINICAL.Hard to discribe but the sound isnt going to compensate for what the source is lacking.It's nice and pure.A GTQ2 is something to check out if you want more pillowy low end goo.

[Jim@SSL]

Steve, just give Nathan a buzz and borrow some.

OT - did you get to see the Matrix when we bought it up to Leeds?

[Jack Ruston]

The pres are not hard in and of themselves but they are on the agressive side of 'clarity'. So if you need a really up front present sound with everthing there, its a good choice. I would not pair them with really bright mics although sometimes if you have a warm compressor to counter balance that can be very nice.

You just need to try them. I dont use mine every single day but I would never sell it.

J

[stevetgn]

Originally Posted by Jim@SSL

Steve, just give Nathan a buzz and borrow some.

OT - did you get to see the Matrix when we bought it up to Leeds?

Hi Jim,

Yeah spent the day with it. Very cool, excellent machine in the right environment.
I was speaking to Nathan last week actually. If I'm been honest though, I'm one purchase in front of myself with the SA pre's as I need two more 4 line modules first to complete my 24chs.
All good things come to those that wait.

[delcosmos]

Originally Posted by stevetgn

Anyone enjoying SSL's SuperAnalogue Mic pres?

ME!

After a year with my Duality, I finally gave a try to the built in super analogue mic-preamps and I was impressed, some times the bla bla bla makes you think that only old stuff from Neve and Api could work on a good Drum track and I was surprised by these mic pres, they sound punchy, I didn't miss anything.

Best regards.

delcosmos.

[BIG_MYDUS]

Love the ssl pre's, like mojo pre's too but if i didn't have any i would be more than happy to track everything thru them. Infact have done it many times and the songs sound amazing.

[Retinal]

That's odd, for someone are lackluster, not bad but not colored and yet not clean, for somebody else are detailed and clean but yet not clinical..
Which I think it's true, I mean all of the above is true, I don't think will ever happen that you track something with those pres and say "no, that sounds bad", they are pretty much ok for everything; and at the same time probably they are not the best pre you can use.

[spockstudio]

The Super-analog is everything you would expect and demand in an SSL product. You know exactly what you would use it for, and it does an outstanding job of delivering it.

I remain less impressed with the VHD, basing this on the 4 channel pre only.

I think it lacks the distinguishable features, sound-wise, of the SSL brand.

[DontLetMeDrown]

Very clean pres. They sound great on Toms and Bass GTR.

[AudioFocus]

Love the super analog channel. I have a pair and routinely use them on OH, SN, and use the eq's during mixing. The other thing I use it all the time for is bass. I do the Adesigns REDDI into the SSL with a touch of compression, sounds great!

[mltamisin]

Originally Posted by Jack Ruston

Yes definitely. Ultra hi fi...very SSL sounding. Great for things which need a lot of attack and sort of 'compressed brightness' if you know what I mean. Good for making dynamic mics take on a more condensor-like charchter when used with the eq. I use them on things like snare drums, and christina style female vocals etc.

J

definitely cool on snare.