X-rack Four Filters Modul ?

[findingtheSound]

Would you like an X-rack Four Filters Module from ssl?

Would it make you buy an X-rack with ssl4K eq more than the VHD pre module?


This is to see how many people are waiting for it, or if I'm alone!

[findingtheSound]

We are two!
.........................

[findingtheSound]

10 voters...

[bforest4]

I would rather see just a HPF on the EQ modules, even if you need to lose one of the mid bandwidth controls to make space. Totally ridiculous that the EQ doesn't have a HPF on the module itself.

[findingtheSound]

I feel your pain...
But for me both HPF and LPF are important, doing lots of metal with guitars in drop tuning I have to clean the mudd in the low freqs everytime to 110/150 Hz, and push sometimes 50 Hz to get back some clean bass on muted low note...
In fact, the first things I do when I eq is to set HPF and LPF...And sometimes I just need filters alone!...
And original SSL eq is a sound, but is above all flexibility and total control over the whole freqs, IMHO.

[Empire Prod]

Originally Posted by findingtheSound

I feel your pain...
But for me both HPF and LPF are important, doing lots of metal with guitars in drop tuning I have to clean the mudd in the low freqs everytime to 110/150 Hz, and push sometimes 50 Hz to get back some clean bass on muted low note...
In fact, the first things I do when I eq is to set HPF and LPF...And sometimes I just need filters alone!...
And original SSL eq is a sound, but is above all flexibility and total control over the whole freqs, IMHO.

Agreed. From the feedback I have gotten from SSL, they feel like they have better things to do and the filter modules are just not a priority. I won't recommend X-rack EQ's to anyone until they care enough to do something about it. As it stands, an X-rack of Pre/Filter modules will cost you around $8,000, and without the filters the EQ's are not very cool at all. So if you want to spend $16,000 to get 8 channels of EQ/Filter and be forced to buy a bunch of pre's that nobody ever liked, go for it. From my perspective it is completely insane.

[findingtheSound]

Agreed!
And I think a module like that shouldn't take a long time in research/developpemnt!
Sure it can be done in a week (ok, a bit more surely), but filters are already design, caps, metals and electronics parts are in stock, and the X-rack format is already design too.

SSL, we know you listen!

The Namm 2010 (January 14-17) would be a cool place to add this long awaited module to your X-rack module list!

[jindrich]

I've been saying this for over a year already, ever since the E series EQ came out. It's time for SSL to release 4 filters (HPF+LPF) in a single XRACK module, as part of the flexibility of the great SSL EQ is gone without them.

On the other hand I understand SSL is a company with private shareholders (like you and me), and as any company it has limited resources and moves essentially after maximizing profits, therefore they choose to develop and release products with the most demand.


Now that the very good Harrison 32 EQ is about to be released (by Great River), SSL might feel the heat though. As filters can be only obtained in SSL land with the Pre module (which might be redundant to some), 8chs of SSL EQ WITH filters will need 2 XRACKS and cost twice as much as 8chs of the Harrison EQ. The Harrison 32c console had some of the best filters around and as Bruce Swedien has often commented, (extensive filtering with those) is part of the secret of the amazingly clear and punchy Thriller's sound.

[findingtheSound]

Now that the very good Harrison 32 EQ is about to be released (by Great River), SSL might feel the heat though. As filters can be only obtained in SSL land with the Pre module (which might be redundant to some), 8chs of SSL EQ WITH filters will need 2 XRACKS and cost twice as much as 8chs of the Harrison EQ.

You sum up the situation where I am.

[findingtheSound]

as any company it has limited resources and moves essentially after maximizing profits

That's ok, it's normal.
I really think that release this module will make SSL sell more X-rack and will maintain the interest of it against the new 500 contenders such as the Great River Harrison 32eq.

[toulcit]

the mic amps of the x-rack have filters,
just like the ssl 5000 series, which are available second hand.
The filters are in the mic line amps, so you will always need to combine the amps with the eq's to get the filters.

[findingtheSound]

the mic amps of the x-rack have filters,
just like the ssl 5000 series, which are available second hand.
The filters are in the mic line amps, so you will always need to combine the amps with the eq's to get the filters.

That's the problem!
To get 8 Channels of complete eq you have to buy 16 X-rack modules!
With a 4 HPF/LPF module, you only buy 2 more modules and not 8 more modules, so you save 6*700$. (Not a problem for a big studio, but for others...)
Cause peoples don't need to buy ssl pre for in-line mixing...
It would make the X-rack easier to buy for us, and more appealing than 500 series. This way, it'll "catch" more X-rack users, and so will bring more money to SSL...
So everybody will be happy!

We are here talking about modular hardware, built in the way customers can buy module by module to let them access to SSL quality without having the money for a big SSL Desk.
This 4 HPF/LPF module allow exactly that.

[findingtheSound]

Do you prefer a black plate a la 4KE serie or a grey plate like the 9K serie?

Is there a lot of difference between black/brown filters and 4K filters?

[Empire Prod]

Originally Posted by findingtheSound

Do you prefer a black plate a la 4KE serie or a grey plate like the 9K serie?

Is there a lot of difference between black/brown filters and 4K filters?

I believe there is a difference. From what I have heard (so take this with a grain of salt), by the time they got into the G series, the filters had a 24 db cut where as the earlier filters were a little more mellow. I hope they recreate the filter from the G+.

[findingtheSound]

Ok, thanks for the information.
Do you know if something has been changed after the G+?

[findingtheSound]

Maybe some ssl Tech could come and tell us more about filter's history?
There been some thread about black/brown/9K eq, about buss comps, dynamics, but not really about filters...

Jim! Are you here?

[Mind-Over-Midi]

I know I'm late to the party (just seeing this poll) but I'd like to see a four filter module as well. Just my 2 cents.