Waves SSL vs SSL FX 384 - The Test

[theother]

Ok, here's the deal:

One audio file was sent to the SSL FX G384 compressor (serial number below 200 = a good one) via Apogee DA-16X and AD-16X.

The other just through the Apogee DA-16X and AD-16X (in and outs cross-patched) and then through the Waves SSL stereo compressor.

All converters clocked by BigBen. 44.1kHz/24bit.

UV22HR 16 bit has been used after the processing on the final files to reduce the download to 16 bit.

I tried to match both compressors as close as possible so I got the best phase cancellation when phase-reversing one file.

Even with the same settings it was obvious that the compression on both units is slightly different, no matter how hard I tried. (You can import both files and phase reverse one to hear the difference yourself)

The settings I used were:

Ratio 4, Attack 10ms, release 0.3, the gain reduction hitting 4db.

Again, I tried to match the gain reduction and level so I got the best phase cancellation.

Now tell us what you think.

Which file is what?

[ohad]

i liked no# 1 better
2 sounded more digital
more boxed is it the wave?

[johndough]

Ya I got to go with #1 too. Great test theother!

[SiliconAudioLab]

#1 has more anomolies and vibe factor. Sounds like the analog one to me.

[raal]

1st of all, thanks for doing this.

listening on a laptop. boy are they close! seems to me there's more happening on the 2nd one though. a little more grab (pumping), and maybe a little less high end... as though the threshold were at a lower setting, but the sound is very similar to me.

i have an FX384 but i still haven't gotten my authorizations for the bundle, and i leave town tomorrow so thanks again for posting!

if you find it in your heart to do the same thing @96hKz and also including the file with nothing on it, i'd seriously appreciate it. or just tell us what differences you hear if any @96!

thanks bro.

in order to tell which i like 'better' i'd have to hear a file with no comp on it.

(edit) ok just heard it again, i like #2 better, but without hearing the original it's hard to tell what the comp is really doing.

[cap217]

I think they are the same!

[Dom & Roland]

No. 1 is the analog one i reckon....Snap is way smoother and pushes instruments through the mix in a much more musical and groovy way

[Ruudman]

The first take has a more obvious compressed sound ...

I pefered none of them, not that that helps in any way....


ruudman

[mplancke]

I like the second one, more open sounding. Both seem to have the same compression characteristics.

[BorrelNote]

I like 1 the best....

[jlotto]

here we go again lol!

besides the slight touch of brightness on cymbals/hh's on #2 they both sound the same. both r too close to call.

whatever the results. waves nailed this SSL bundle

[theother]

Just a little tip...

...listen to the punch/grap on the snare drum.

I just did a little blind test myself. Didn't have the time to do it earlier....

Loading both wav into a session and switching solo on both tracks.

Both files are not even in the same country for me. I could hear every time immediately what is what.

Within 2-3 seconds I knew which one is the hardware.

Mind you I got really used to the hardware over the years.

I'm usually not too anal about these things and it happens more than not that I can't hear a difference when people test things.
I'm not an engineer. I'm a musician, yet I can tell you that I like one version and the other not all in this little test.

Funny how we all hear things differently!

Do yourself a favour....Don't read all the other posts until you make the test. Don't give your mind the chance to hear things that are not there. And we all do sometimes!


Great feedback! Keep it coming boys! (and girls?)

[raal]

Originally Posted by theother

Just a little tip...

...listen to the punch/grap on the snare drum.

yeah, IMHO grab wise it's #2 but which is the PLUG!!!!?????

ok... heard again... now that you mentioned the snare thing... just kill me, i don't know anymore.

Number 2 sounds more open while 1 sounds more compressed.

Cant say I truly like either of them

[John The Cut]

I like 2 the best but not sure why - something maybe in the pump of the bass.

They are very close though - virtually the same on my computer speakers. SO the only concrete conclusion I have come to is that the investment in a real SSL is not worth it

[el-folie]

Well, overall I like No.1 better, it´s got more punch, more bass, whereas the slightly more highs on No.2´s hihats are also nice.

I think No.2 is the digital one...?!

[Dom & Roland]

just listened again (through my laptop speakers) after reading everybodys posts....i still think 1 is the real deal 2 is the plug....1 sounds better anyway.....so which one is it....its so exciting lol

[JHOOKS]

im going to have to say 1 is the hardware 2 is the plug!? which is which???

[el-folie]

Listened again and must say there´s something on the snare in 2 I don´t like, somehow muffeled right after the attack, not as lively as 1. But in the end very slight difference between 1 and 2 apart from noticeably more highs in 2.

[raal]

someone should do this and post the same file twice. bet the poll results would be very similar.

[AnalogBob]

On my laptop speakers they sound very similiar......whatever the verdict in the end they are indeed close.... 1st on I'm leaning towards being the FX and the #2 plugin...

[jdg]

i liked the snare on #1 better.

[thermos]

1 is hardware.

Both sound good.

[raal]

what kills me is i can barely hear a difference and the other says it's night and day!...listening on a laptop but in other threads i've been able to hear differences easily.

the more i listen the less i can dstinguish the two... aaaaAAAAAAAARRRGHHH!!!!!
can't take it. i'm outta here.

[Dom & Roland]

I just looked at the poll and i'm speechless....to my ears no2 screams digital....please put us out of our misery...

[beyarecords]

I voted for No. 2 and I reckon that it is the plugin...

Would be very interesting to know the answer mind!!!

Beya

[T_R_S]

#1 is analog # 2 in the plug-in
I like how digital sounds So I pick #2
But with that said they a very close.
I do notice the attack and release sound different on them.
They are not 'exactly' the same.

[theother]

Originally Posted by raal

what kills me is i can barely hear a difference and the other says it's night and day!...listening on a laptop but in other threads i've been able to hear differences easily.

the more i listen the less i can dstinguish the two... aaaaAAAAAAAARRRGHHH!!!!!
can't take it. i'm outta here.

Hehe... happens to all of us.....

I've always been an SSL guy from the word go. So maybe I hear things that not everyone hears. This is what I like about this thread. Only because I hear it doesn't mean anyone else does...

[derker]

So.....

WHICH ONE IS WHICH?!?!?!?

[theother]

Originally Posted by derker

So.....

WHICH ONE IS WHICH?!?!?!?

Go to sleep and give the Americans a chance to catch up....

You will know soon enough!