Analog board opinions?

[raal]

on a scale of 1-10, please grade on merit of sound alone - NOT bell and whistle factor:

Amek 9098i
API Legacy
Euphonix
Neve 8068
Neve 8078
Neve 88R
Neve VR
SSL E
SSL G+
SSL J
SSL K
SSL AWS 900
Trident A range
Trident 80B

[Mike Tholen]

Why?
scale 1-10 for what application?

[Robert Randolph]

sound of the pre's, faders, eq's, comps (if applicable).... what?

[raal]

Originally Posted by Mike Tholen

Why?

to get a feeling of other slutz' subjective views. few of us have heard them all, so this should be a very interesting exercise - as i'm shopping for a board, any info is good info.

scale 1-10 for what application?

sound alone - for any application, but if we must qualify it, put the type of music/application you think it's better qualified for after the number (grade). 10 being 'best', 1 being 'worst'.

[raal]

Originally Posted by SigmaDeltaAudio

sound of the pre's, faders, eq's, comps (if applicable).... what?

'sound' alone in general - NOT bells and whistles. pres, EQs, comps if applicable, center facilities monitoring... all lumped into one grade.

e.g.
neve 8068 - 9
neve VR - 6

[XHipHop]

I know people that would give the API a much higher number than a SSL for TRACKING but when it comes to mixing they SSL would have a slightly higher number, for example. This doesn't seem like it's going to work.

[raal]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

I know people that would give the API a much higher number than a SSL for TRACKING but when it comes to mixing they SSL would have a slightly higher number, for example.

i would give an API a high grade also if we're talking only sound on this console. that's what the whole idea is about. not facilities (automation, recall, 5.1, or anything else - only sound). i would have no trouble grading the boards i've worked on as to my subjective appreciation of the sound. if you must qualify it, do. give them a grade for tracking and mixing if you like. spice of life here.

This doesn't seem like it's going to work.

c'mon guys. not rocket science. just a little fun. it'll be interesting to see what different peoples' takes are on the different SSLs for example, or on the different neves.

i'll start with 3 very different consoles:

Neve VR - 6
SSL E - 5
Trident 80B - 8

only one opinion. what i'd like to see is other people's opinions. if i were to grade the same boards for mixing, the grades might change, but as for sound, i'm very clear, and that's what this post is about. for those who care to grade them on mixing, please do. what i'm trying to do for the sake of this post is introduce the least amount of variables as possible.

[Jules]

This isnt a shootout, it an opinion poll..

I think I will rename the thread..

[Jules]

This was callled "Analog board shootout"!

[raal]

Originally Posted by Jules

This isnt a shootout, it an opinion poll..

I think I will rename the thread..

thank you sir.

[Zarathustra]

Originally Posted by raal

on a scale of 1-10, please grade on merit of sound alone - NOT bell and whistle factor:

Amek 9098i =7.5
API Legacy =10
Euphonix =5.5
Neve 8068 =9
Neve 8078 =9
Neve 88R =8
Neve VR =6.5
Trident A range =10
Trident 80B =7

I'm biased against all manifestations of Sounds So Little
dfegad
SSL E
SSL G+
SSL J
SSL K
SSL AWS 900

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

You never hear anybody looking for those vintage SSL mic pre modules..

thats fair enough but i think and am already seeing a trend as to people starting to collect/purchase/use the old 'E' series console for thier 'crunch factor' when it comes to mixing. Like it or hate it they have a certain sound that is the RADIO sound and works well for a lot of genres.

But this thread is kinda stupid as thier need to be stricter parameters on which the consoles are judged upon... i mean it like comparing who gona be the better shag out of all the girls in COSMO, FHM, PLAYBOY or Vogue? thumbsup

So give us a bit of better idea? is it just for tracking? mixing, what styles and or genres?

Cheers Wiggy

[wwittman]

There is a BIGGER difference between the mic pres than the line amp side of things, but it doesn't change my order:


Amek 9098i - 7 for anything but rock, rock - 6
API Legacy - 9 in general, 8 on the sends
Euphonix - 5
Neve 8068 - 9 if discrete, 8 if not, although I prefer the 8078 EQ's
Neve 8078 - 9 if discrete, 8 if not
Neve 88R - don't know
Neve VR - 5
SSL E - 4
SSL G+ - 5
SSL J - 6
SSL K - 6
SSL AWS 900 - don;t know
Trident A range - 10
Trident 80B - 5

[raal]

Originally Posted by Wiggy Neve Slut

But this thread is kinda stupid as thier need to be stricter parameters on which the consoles are judged upon... i mean it like comparing who gona be the better shag out of all the girls in COSMO, FHM, PLAYBOY or Vogue? thumbsup

So give us a bit of better idea? is it just for tracking? mixing, what styles and or genres?

Cheers Wiggy

if i asked to grade a ferrari, a bentley and hummer on acceleration ALONE, would that be difficult? how about the same three cars on off road capability ALONE - would that be difficult? i'm not asking which is the best all around car.

when i work on a console, i usually have a pretty immediate reaction to its SOUND. i either like it alot, not too much, or not at all. its other capabilities are another matter.

if an 8068 had total reset, fader automation was a DAW controller, 14 auxiliary sends and up to 7.1 monitoring, i don't think too many people would mind mixing on it.
if any SSL had none of these, it wouldn't the mixing console of choice for so many. i think we all know that - both consoles however, with or without the bells and whistles, have a certain SOUND. that's what i'm interested in as far as this thread is concerned. if that's not clear enough, don't post an answer. some people have, and i find their opinions very interesting. thank you.

[drew]

consoles? the one that's in front of me at any moment.

Randy, what's a challange? is that french??

[raal]

no one on the different SSLs?

[Exsanguis]

Amek 9098i - 8
API Legacy - 7
Neve 88R - 10 (I LOVE these)
SSL E - 6
SSL G+ - 8 (I usually work on these)
SSL J - 7
Trident A range - 9
Trident 80B - 8

[Igotsoul4u]

SSL J - 5 (I have grown to hate this board, especially the girleeman pre's)
SSL G - 9 (very in your face)
SSL K - 8
Neve VR - 9

[raal]

Originally Posted by Exsanguis

Amek 9098i - 8
API Legacy - 7
Neve 88R - 10 (I LOVE these)
SSL E - 6
SSL G+ - 8 (I usually work on these)
SSL J - 7
Trident A range - 9
Trident 80B - 8

seems like everyone that works on the 88r falls in love. wish they made an 'AWS' version of THAT!

i've worked on the A ranges at cherokee (grade - 9 or more), we used to own 80Bs (grade - 8), and VRs (grade - 6) - so i agree with your grading system, but i haven't heard an 88r... or a G+.

i'm looking for something with recall - so i was planning to audition the AWS900 and a G+ for my home rig. if the G+ and/or AWS sound as good as an 80B and have recall/dynamics, i could certainly live with that -- if they have TR, dynamics, etc., but sound 'thin' i would have to think more along the lines of API/Neve 80series.

i see you like the G+ more than J (or K?) -- and some, the other way around. as the AWS supposedly sounds = K, and i've heard some say SSL finally got it 'right' with the K, any comments along those lines would be appreciated.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by raal

seems like everyone that works on the 88r falls in love. wish they made an 'AWS' version of THAT!

Don't know about that.

So far most things i've heard mixed on it didn't sound that hot to me.

[Slipperman]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Don't know about that.

So far most things i've heard mixed on it didn't sound that hot to me.

LMAO.

Thrill. Yer killing me.

Killing me.

XOXOX

Slippy

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by slipperman

LMAO.

Thrill. Yer killing me.

Killing me.

XOXOX

Slippy

Hi Slip.

I gotta call it like i hear it.

Maybe because its such a new console, the guys mixing on it are working out the kinks(kicking tires and learning what they can do on it).

But what i am hearing so far, rock&roll isn't coming out so hot.

I haven't had a chance to try it yet so i am basically blowing it out of the backside...but its an opinion.

[clip6]

Ok Raal so once you find your console what do you expect to pay for it. I think the AWS cost too much.

[raal]

Originally Posted by clip6

Ok Raal so once you find your console what do you expect to pay for it. I think the AWS cost too much.

under $200K - so SSL G+/Ultimation, AWS, API, neve 8068 are all within budget.

[Wiggy Neve Slut]

Why not book time at studios that have those desks, and find out for yourself? i mean you will be driving the mofo so for that chunk of change you better makesure you dig it!

Cheers
Wiggy

[raal]

Originally Posted by Wiggy Neve Slut

Why not book time at studios that have those desks, and find out for yourself? i mean you will be driving the mofo so for that chunk of change you better makesure you dig it!

Cheers
Wiggy

certainly plan to do that when i get a chance, but i'm in mexico now and there are few to none of the consoles i'm interested in auditioning here (API, SSL G+, AWS 900, 9098i, neve 80series) -- since there are quite a few of you who have had ample experience with these desks i was just trying to get a 'vibe' -- from what i've gathered, the G+ is popular, the J seems to be different from the K (AWS). will be using the desk for mixing (got nice pres), so TR and automation is needed. started the 'sound' thread to get a gist of how the boards i haven't heard compared to the ones i'm familiar with (A Range, 80B, Euphonix, VR, SSL E, etc.).

been speaking to someone who just got an AWS (also owned a VR at one point), who has mixed on many of these consoles and he couldn't be happier with the sound... EQ, center facilities monitor section, etc., so my interest in the AWS is growing rapidly -- will have to go to LA and do the rounds, but any input would be helpful.

thanks to all.

[JulianBrightnes]

Hi Raal,

Just got my AWS last week and I'm lovin' it. On 'big desks' I can only compare it well to a 4000G-series, 'cause I used to work on that. I think it sounds better.


Cheers, Julian

[JulianBrightnes]

small addition: that monitor section certainly rocks! been listening to some of my fav albums through the AWS. 'What's going on' (by Marvin Gaye) never sounded thís good to me! Also love the pres and the EQ and of course... the stereo compressor

Julian

[raal]

Originally Posted by JulianBrightnes

small addition: that monitor section certainly rocks! been listening to some of my fav albums through the AWS. 'What's going on' (by Marvin Gaye) never sounded thís good to me! Also love the pres and the EQ and of course... the stereo compressor

Julian

that's two people who've told me they like the AWS over the G; think it's worth shleping a two hour plane ride to mexico city next week just to demo one! thanks for the input sir.

[JulianBrightnes]

Hi Raal,

Promised you some pics: here they are. The studio isn't finished yet, it's gonna be more of an editing suite than your usual studio (we do sound to picture).
I'll post a couple more when the furniture and acoustics are done.

Cheers, Julian


PS I'm still lovin' this desk