SSL XLogic G Series & TL Audio C-1 compressors test.

[Bob Amirian]

Hollah, brovaz,

I, Bob , hereby (solid) state, that I've just found out why the SSL XLogic G Series mix buss compressor is being regarded as the best for glueing mixes together.

I got this famous (and surprisingly lightweight) unit couple of daus ago and just can't get my hands and ears off of it.

Most of hiphop and R'n'B producers (Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Prince, etc) use exactly this SSL circuit as a mix buss compressor in their big SSL desks and call it "The Glue", because it perfectly glues all parts together.

It really does.

To all Smart's and other "emulators' " users: if your gear is SSL-ish but doesn't satisfy you, don't cry and just get what it tries to duplicate - The Original SSL.

It knocks both Smarts (C1 and C2) out in a flash when it comes to the results judged by ear, not figures.

Plenty of lows, amazingly smooth while very fast, acurately reproduces every aspect of the mix.

Simply stunning.

At the moment I'm testing SSL XLogic XRack filled with 2 compressors, 2 preamps and 2 EQs and some other fine stuff in order to find a better replacement for Smarts.

Soundwise, XRack compressor units don't run far far from their bigger brother XLogic G Series, they sound similar and are equally transparent.

But there's a huge difference between them technologically. XRack has got the fabled Total Recall feature, which stores the position of every knob, and is fantastically expandable. And fully equipped with 8 great modules is only twice the price of G Series compressor!!!

This above mentioned other stuff is: TL Audio C-1 Dual Valve Compressor (which has great comp sound and 2 sweet sounding preamps as well!), Thermionic Culture The Phoenix and Manley Vari-Mu.

So far my impressions are: the last two are rich sounding and very classy but "somewhat too slow and not enough versatile" for modern groove-based music.

The winner of this comparison for me is... yeah, guess what... TL Audio C-1!

It has BIG and FAST lows, phatter than Smarts, has more tonal character than SSL Xlogic G Series compressor, can be used in stereo or dual mono mode, features Side Chain and even two sweet sounding mic/line preamps with phantom power send, keyboard/guitar input selector, and is also the cheapest of them all, actually I think it's… TOO CHEAP for what it delivers

For about five years I’ve been underestimating Tony Larking’s TL Audio, because it had rather cheapo project studios stuff reputation. Now I know I was wrooooong.

Now I'm learning NOT to be overexaggerated about brand and price tags, and get all available stuff to test it myself and judge it by ear.

I'm waiting for Sound Performance Lab Kultube, amazingly equipped stereo compressor, the same manufacturer's Tube Vitalizer mastering processor and MixDream summing box too, as well as the whole current Focusrite and Chandler line.

Results to be published online in near future.

Cheerz!

Bob
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"My hovercraft is full of eels"

[quincyg]

So are you saying you like the xlogic best or the tl audio? while you're at it why not try the portico 5042 and the drawmer 1968.

[Reptil]

I think he did try the portico

be sure to get the Kultube with the Lundahls. without will do, but is less classy
and some other tubes than the stock Sovteks may give you more tone, and amplification.

the tube mastering thingy can take some time to set up. again use tubes to your own disgression.
and try the focuswrong mixxmaster, I like it more than their popular compounder
different horses and cups of tea, etc.

you must be happy you're taking a liking to something at last

[Bob Amirian]

Originally Posted by Reptil

I think he did try the portico

and try the focuswrong mixxmaster, I like it more than their popular compounder
different horses and cups of tea, etc.

you must be happy you're taking a liking to something at last

LOL


Yeah, tried Portico. It's OK. Only.

Mixxmaster? Can't find any usable info and certainly no picture of it. What is it?

I mean yeah, it's a mixer, I reckon

And YES, I'm quite happy to finally like sumtin', although I don't LOVE anything so far.

Except for my Groove Tubes MD1B-T and almost 40years old Neumann U87 mikes, SPL Transient Designer and my beloved Gibson ES-175D with LR Baggs piezo bridge and Bigsby tremolo bar.

And my beautiful wife

Bob