PreAmps: G or E Series?

[Dirty Halo]

I will say this, having just spent a bunch of time with Bruce who owns Desk Doctor and knows every SSL inside and out, literally, I just asked the exact same question.

He siad that he taken those things apart and really likes the way they were built, likes that Jensen transformer sound. In the past they there was a period of it being unfashionable to like them as pres because of the VCA path, but people are starting to come around and use their ears, they sound great!

So, in short a SSL pre is a solid Jensen transformer mic pre and you should have every right to like the sound...besides, that's what counts, right?

Oh, I think (but am not sure) that the G & E series mic pres were the same, the EQ changed)

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

[TonyBelmont]

The pre's aren't bad... nothing to write home about. You could make one for $50.... It's a very simple circuit.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The pre's aren't bad... nothing to write home about. You could make one for $50.... It's a very simple circuit.

I don't know. From what I understand (and I could be wrong, I admit), the "sound" of an SSL mic pre is partly because of the extra VCA paths, etc. Yes, it is a simple Jensen design, but then the long path contributed to its sound, which was sort of looked down upon for a while, but now people are starting to like. I think there's more to it than just the mic pre design out of context of the module.

-a

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

I don't know. From what I understand (and I could be wrong, I admit), the "sound" of an SSL mic pre is partly because of the extra VCA paths, etc. Yes, it is a simple Jensen design, but then the long path contributed to its sound, which was sort of looked down upon for a while, but now people are starting to like. I think there's more to it than just the mic pre design out of context of the module.

-a

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

I completely agree that VCA's color the sound... But, then we are actually talking about the sound of the console, not specifically the mic pre. The mic pre by itself is a very simple circuit and is nothing special.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by Mr Skills

There have been lots of threads about SSL G and E equalizers. I can't find any on the preamps.

I happen to love recording stuff through G Series preamps, even over Neves/Focusrites. I know that makes probably makes me the town outcast but it's just my thing


Whilst I've done plenty of recording/mixing on G Series desks, I've only ever mixed on an E. Are the preamps pretty much the same? Better? Worse? How?

G pres are a definite improvement. G pres and E EQ tends to be the preference. We have a G+ with E EQ on all but the last bucket. It's good to have the G EQ around for some things and I'm glad we have a bucket of 'em, but for rock and roll, the E is more often the more useful choice. However, the newer preamps are appreciated. Still, I usually use outboard pres for most things, but the pres on the G+ are totally useable if need be, and they do get used now and then.

[Mr Skills]

Originally Posted by jayfrigo

G pres are a definite improvement. G pres and E EQ tends to be the preference. We have a G+ with E EQ on all but the last bucket. It's good to have the G EQ around for some things and I'm glad we have a bucket of 'em, but for rock and roll, the E is more often the more useful choice. However, the newer preamps are appreciated. Still, I usually use outboard pres for most things, but the pres on the G+ are totally useable if need be, and they do get used now and then.

What difference do you recon I would notice on an E (preamps, not EQ)?

[ripper]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The pre's aren't bad... nothing to write home about. You could make one for $50.... It's a very simple circuit.

Or save the money and buy crack!

[ripper]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I completely agree that VCA's color the sound... But, then we are actually talking about the sound of the console, not specifically the mic pre. The mic pre by itself is a very simple circuit and is nothing special.

Totally agree. The SSL really is a whole package and I get why people like them (with the exception on the K, I don't...). But usually when I have to mix on one, I mix on the monitor faders and assign the dynamics to that and just don't use the vca automation... just automate ou t of Tools and use every outboard eq, etc. in the room.

Why you'd buy an SSL pre is absolutely beyond me. Then again, I think a shure green bullet pluged into an amp in the other room can make a great ambient mic for a drum kit... which you might rightly think is stoopid!

Ain't no rules if it works for ya.

[audioez]

Originally Posted by Mr Skills

What difference do you recon I would notice on an E (preamps, not EQ)?

G mic preamps use stepped gain pots while E mic preamps use continuous pots!

[Mr Skills]

Originally Posted by audioez

G mic preamps use stepped gain pots while E mic preamps use continuous pots!

Ok I think I'd worked THAT bit out

[audioez]

[theother]

I don't think it's a simple as E/G with mic pres. There were always several different versions/upgrades.

I had a late G+ that had transformerless mic pres.

I never liked SSL mic pres but almost anything else from them.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by Mr Skills

What difference do you recon I would notice on an E (preamps, not EQ)?

Noisier and crunchier.