SSL ALPHA channel...

[Illmo]

Is this thing worth the money(1k)?I understand that it has great AD/DA, and is a good pre but it a great pre(and worth 1k). Basically, I would like to know if there are any other pres in its same class, that can do what it does,(or sound as good or better), for the same amount (or less)?

[FadersmakmeHappy]

I can't help you but I am curious also. Not really looking to get one but the feature set is pretty cool.

Anyone chime in? Preferably someone who has some other sexy stuff in their rack that is a/b ing them with Neve, Forsell, Great River, Cranesong, Hardy, API etc.

[simplemon]

I've been waiting for a long time for someone to post a full mix with that thing. No such luck so far (as far as I know)

EXCEPT, I did stumble across these tracks while surfing around one day. Michael cooper (an author of a product review article i read) stated in a blog somewhere that he used an alpha channel for some of his direct guitar parts on the song "Bless the rain" with a strat. I dont know if every guitar part on this track was recorded this way, but at least some were.

Michael Cooper - License Music - YouLicense.com

[dambro2]

I had the Alpha Pre and didn't like it. I sold it and got 4 channels of API512. I also have several channels of Great River and UA.

I could never get anything fun sounding out of it, no matter what I did with the VHD knob. It sounded like a hospital. Cold and fluorescent.

[thebaron]

Can you bypass the pre and just use the AD/DA?
I have a great river pre and eventually need some good converters. For the price, it would be worth it just for the converters (if they're good). Plus I'd have an additional flavor of preamps and a couple more for multiple tracking.

If the converters are high end, it's worth taking a chance getting one and adding another pre later if you don't like the ssl sound...that is if you can bypass the pres.

[superiorsound]

I recently purchased a SSL VHD 4 pre and am loving it. It has tons of gain man. I havent quite mastered the VHD but it can give some pretty cool tones. Very CLEAN sound It doesnt really sound like anything its just super clean. I use it along side with api/avalon/adl 600 and it keeps up np. So if your looking for a transparent pre this might be it. If your looking for color it still might be it but not sure I would solely buy it for the VHD.

I have heard people trash the ssl vhd and channel but it is what it is. If I had no pres and a g to blow id score it. Welcome to the slut world I no longer say should I get this or that. I say "Ill get this first and then that" in true slut fashion. I find myself at awe lately. eemmmmmm should I get that 7 series BMW or an api 1608? Im leaning towards one and its not the car.

go big or go home

[superiorsound]

Originally Posted by dambro2

I had the Alpha Pre and didn't like it. I sold it and got 4 channels of API512. I also have several channels of Great River and UA.

I could never get anything fun sounding out of it, no matter what I did with the VHD knob. It sounded like a hospital. Cold and fluorescent.

Heres an example of someone who didnt like it and got the API 512c. Now I own a 3124 and love it but the SSL is good again a clean sound not like the transformer based api. Now I have transparency and color.

[Illmo]

Thanks for the input, this is very helpful. Im interested in API as well. Im going to be using it on vocals primarily.I other options at a GT Brick or a GAP pre73.

[superiorsound]

I never like the brick the GAP73 is probably one of the best buys out there. Its very colorful meaning it has a ton associated to it. If I had a 1000 to blow the GAP73 for one channel is in there. Warren at ZenProaudio is the man he can help you with what ever you need. I have two GAPres and love em. Thats 300.00 vs 1000.00 but the SSL gives you a channel strip so it really depends on what you want. I would get both start with the alpha. SSL makes great stuff!

Frank

[superiorsound]

I never like the brick the GAP73 is probably one of the best buys out there. Its very colorful meaning it has a ton associated to it. If I had a 1000 to blow the GAP73 for one channel is in there. Warren at ZenProaudio is the man he can help you with what ever you need. I have two GAPres and love em. Thats 300.00 vs 1000.00 but the SSL gives you a channel strip so it really depends on what you want. I would get both start with the alpha. SSL makes great stuff!

Frank aka DA WIZAD

[Factorysounds]

I use Alpha Channel around half of year, and in generally- I don't like it. I had experience before with preamps from TL Audio, Bellari,and bough SLL only to resolve hot output from M149. ( most preamps distorts input or many other preamps, even with pad!)

Most people write about SSL that it is clean, super clean or transparent, in my opinion it is not transparency, but sound is really thin and harsh. Sometimes "thin" is very similar value to "clean" Only thin is negative thing, and "clean"-positive.

Even so good mic as M149 sound better on cheaper preamps.

Good words I can say only about EQ and good input/output variety and flexibility.

[eddiewer]

Originally Posted by thebaron

Can you bypass the pre and just use the AD/DA?
I have a great river pre and eventually need some good converters. For the price, it would be worth it just for the converters (if they're good). Plus I'd have an additional flavor of preamps and a couple more for multiple tracking.

If the converters are high end, it's worth taking a chance getting one and adding another pre later if you don't like the ssl sound...that is if you can bypass the pres.

yes you can bypass the preamp section using the insert on the back....and still use the vhd..eq..and soft limit..if you want......
the pre is super trasparent, pop and in your face...and the vhd could add some warm and caracter to the sound...but you have to deal and practice some time...at first i didnt hear anything just the clear pre...but after playing around with the vhd gain..the second and third armonic section..the eq section and the limit...you found its a very versatile box...

it depends on what you like i dont like too clean or too color.....vhd pres are transparent but with some kind of warm....ssl vhd sounds new and pop...a never like avalon 737..its a good pre but a dont like them at all......i dont like api 512 color either..many people loves it, but i dont...
for me..a neve-ish pre and ssl vhd preamp could be a great conbination

[superiorsound]

Bottom line is its preference is it junk NO! buy it or save up for something more expensive. I recently heard samples of drums comparing the ALPHA VHD and the API3124 and it sold me. Do a search hear youll find it.

[waxx]

i never liked it, but i know ppl who swear by it and who do good productions with it. I think it's probally a good pre, but just not my cup of tea. I have this with any ssl pre i've used or tested (including the ones of a 4000G and superanalog pre's in a x-rack)

the problem is, the clean is not really clean like a millenia or a martech, the VHD colour is not a nice colour like api, neve, chandler or similar colouring stuff. I wouldn't buy it, but when nothing else was availebel (i'm a partime freelancer/amateur, not a fulltime pro with an own studio) i've used it with ok results.

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by dambro2

I had the Alpha Pre and didn't like it. I sold it and got 4 channels of API512. I also have several channels of Great River and UA.

I could never get anything fun sounding out of it, no matter what I did with the VHD knob. It sounded like a hospital. Cold and fluorescent.

+1

Mine is going on the marked aswell. It is clean, but sterile. The S/PDIF option is nice, but I can't get warm and punchy sound with it like my LA610.

[eddiewer]

the vhd are subtile...they dont change the sound radically..mmm...well......no after you listen the tracks and discover you blow it all.....

like i said...at first i didnt hear anything...but after experiment with diferent instruments and mic...and listening diferent settings on takes...and hear them on a mix session...you figured out the preamp its a very versatile preamp...you can add something diferent on every mic or every instrument depending on the song....

for people complaints about vhd pres iare not too clean like other clean preamps...ssl have another preamps the´super analoge pres¨ those are super clean

the vhd kind of pres are not ¨plug and play¨ you have to deal and experiment with diferent settings ...but that is what it makes them versatile..
obviously in a wrong hands could be the worst preamp ever!!!

definitively not a pre for everyone!!!..... and im glad to say..i like that

[Illmo]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

+1

Mine is going on the marked aswell. It is clean, but sterile. The S/PDIF option is nice, but I can't get warm and punchy sound with it like my LA610.

Ironic, I wouldnt describe the 610 as "punchy", definately warm though.I dont like the 610, it produces very rounded off vocals, as opposed to sharper ones...Would you descride the Alpha as sharp or crisp???

[Chris Lago]

The SSL Alpha is only AD via Spdif, not DA.