Should I get the Waves SSL bundle or the URS S Eq and 1980 Comp?

[mhartman]

I've demo'ed both and I think both sound pretty good. For you guys that have tried both, which did (would) you go for? Why?

[mhartman]

Sorry for the placement -- I meant to put this thread in the "so much gear" section.

Mike

[DrDeltaM]

I think only you can decide...

Since you like them both soundwise, I'd go for the URS: very nice company to deal with, no WUP and stuff, plain iLok authorisation (Waves uses own system that uses iLok key, but not the iLok system).

[robi]

Normally I'd say get both, but I'm, too, hesitating to purchase the waves plugs because this authorization and wup thing.
So, go for the urs plugins. They are very good.

[TonyBelmont]

They are both great... URS seem to be cheaper and generally have better customer support & free updates without WUP.

[warhead]

You've stated that you demo'd them. I'd worry more about your style / needs than ours.

My $0.02

War

[Dan]

Do a search on the digi user conference for "WUP" or Waves. Then check there for URS. I think the choice on customer support is pretty clear.

[mhartman]

Originally Posted by warhead

You've stated that you demo'd them. I'd worry more about your style / needs than ours.

I agree. However, here, both products really fit my style/needs (they are essentially both recreations of the same thing, right?). I'm just wondering if anything put you guys over the edge one way or another. I do the like the fact that Waves has an integreated channel strip (and they look really cool). But, I'm already dreading WUP with my other Waves plugs -- authorization has never really been a problem, though.

I do like the fact that URS is more customer friendly (they have never charged me to upgrade my Neve Eq). I do not want to reward Waves for their WUP policy.

Indecision....

[Sammy]

So, do you think the channelstrip will improve your workflow? (I know I dig it, esp. with the CLA presets as starting point). And WUP... well, let's say I've never had any trouble with it, lucky me

[Steamy Williams]

None of the URS plug-ins model the SSL channel dynamics, so they don't provide a gate, or recreate the SSL channel compressor, which is different from the SSL buss compressor.

I'm not necessarily suggesting that you buy the Waves instead of the URS because of this, but no one seems to have pointed this out.

[Bob Olhsson]

One of the best features of the Waves SSL plugs is that you can switch the analog emulation off giving you an instant choice between character and transparency.

[Revelation]

People complain about the Waves dongle, but everyone is quiet about the one Steinberg has. I don't have a problem with either.

Wtih that being said, I love the Wavess SSL plug ins, and they are my first go to EQ's and compressors on a lot of things.

[AlexLakis]

I find myself getting a lot more use out of the Waves SSL stuff. I think the URS EQ stuff is good, but when I come back from a session at a studio that has some 550s and come back to using the URS A series EQ, I find myself grossly dissapointed every time...Of course, I could say the same thing about the Waves SSL bus compressor...

Bottom line, I think the Waves SSL EQ sounds better than the URS S series EQ, and with Waves you get the channel strip (most useful outta the bundle,) and the bus compressor, which is great.

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

One of the best features of the Waves SSL plugs is that you can switch the analog emulation off giving you an instant choice between character and transparency.

To be honest, I can't tell a lick of difference no matter what position that switch is in.

[OHA]

Not a bad word about URS; I really love both the 1980 and 1970 comps, and of all the eq's, I like S-series best. It's very aggresive, but adds a cool vibe.

However, I would still go for the Waves SSL. It's such a great package; E-channel and G-bus is my new favorite tools;-)

[OHA]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

To be honest, I can't tell a lick of difference no matter what position that switch is in.

I agree..

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by Steamy Williams

None of the URS plug-ins model the SSL channel dynamics, so they don't provide a gate

And the gate really is great! Second to none in plugin world IMO. (I was fond of the Floorfish free gate plugin before)

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

One of the best features of the Waves SSL plugs is that you can switch the analog emulation off giving you an instant choice between character and transparency.

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

To be honest, I can't tell a lick of difference no matter what position that switch is in.

I would have to agree that the "analog" button really doesn't add any character.. But, the plugins are still great tools.

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

...To be honest, I can't tell a lick of difference no matter what position that switch is in.

I hear quite a difference here depending on the program material. "Off" on the channel-strip has more "air" while "on" seems warmer and beefier. "On" also turns on a bit of noise.