SSL 4000 G presets for Logic 8 Compressor (download)

[Lagerfeldt]

SSL 4000 G master bus compressor
emulation presets for Logic Pro Compressor (Logic Pro 8 or newer)

Legal
These emulation presets are ©2008 Holger Lagerfeldt for Popmusic.dk
and are not endorsed by either Apple, Waves or Solid State Logic.

Download and Installation
Links | Audio Articles, Technical Tips, Download Presets

Install the folder entitled SSL 4000 G master comp here:
Mac HD>Users>YourUserName>Library>Application Support>Logic>Plug-In Setting>Compressor

These presets will not work or sound correct in Logic 7.

Sound example
http://www.popmusic.dk/download/logi...audiofiles.zip

How To Use
The SSL comp is intended as a master mix compressor on the main bus or on sub mixes, i.e. a sub mix of drums.
The SSL comp is not a real mastering compressor. It is often used during mixing for subtle (or not so subtle) glue effect.
You can use it as part of a mastering chain but rarely as the only master compressor, and usually then as the first compressor in the chain.

Quick tip: Gentle compression
For gentle glue type compression, choose a Ratio 2 or 4 preset, and set the threshold until you get a maximum of 1-2 dB of gain reduction on the meter.

Quick tip: Pumping and punch
For less pumping or more punch select a slower Attack of 3, 10 or 30 ms, and a release between .3 s and 1.2 seconds.

The Good
All possible ratio, attack and release/auto combinations are included, apart from the exceptions below. Preset default settings closely emulate the default settings of the Waves SLL G-master compressor, which means you can do quick A/B comparisons.

The Bad
· Auto release. There’s no way to get the true sound of the SSL auto release in the Logic Compressor.
· 0.1 ms attack setting is not possible in the Logic Pro compressor. Closest setting is 0 ms which pumps excessively. Not a big loss though IMO.

-
Geek Stuff
The presets have been made using real life material and test tones. Levels generally match Waves SSL default settings within 0.2 dB. In some cases the numerical values are not the same as they appear on the Waves SSL, such as ratio 4:1 being 3.7:1 in Logic. This is not an error. Please notice that knee and threshold default settings vary depending on ratio, just like the Waves SSL does (behind the scenes). The extended parameters of the Logic Compressor enable the internal EQ sidechain for a gentle 60 Hz hi pass filter for more accurate low end emulation.

A frequency analyzer will show very little difference between the plug-ins:


Purple color: Waves SSL · Orange color: Logic Compressor


Looking at the waveforms for transient changes, there is generally speaking a strong similarity between the two waveforms, and transients are quite similar too:


Upper waveform: Waves SSL · Bottom waveform: Logic Compressor


This doesn’t necessarily mean your ears will agree but the presets are fairly close despite using a bundled sequencer compressor.

Happy compressing.

[Karloff70]

Nice one ! Looks like I was the first to grab'em....

What do YOUR ears say? They agree ?

[Lagerfeldt]

Did you check out the audio clips yet?

I think most people will have a hard time telling which is which in a blind test, but certainly there is a small difference.
But even then, it stills come down to a matter of taste, I'm sure some will actually prefer the Logic presets over the SSL, and vice versa.

I named the files so you don't need to guess which is which.

These presets are intended for people who don't own or don't want to own Waves SSL. And they're free!

[Audio Hombre]

very cool i occasionally work in logic 8 and the system doesn't have the ssl plugs installed, which i like very much.

[Karloff70]

I haven't been 'full time pro' for a few years (was for about 14), so have not heard the old beast for a while, but the breathing over that housebeat I had sitting around sure feels familiar......I knew from first hearing the plugs in logic 8 that something fun had occured in the versionswap...very different qualityvibe to L7. Good creative use of the toyery, Mr Lagerfeldt!

[Reborn]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Did you check out the audio clips yet?

I think most people will have a hard time telling which is which in a blind test, but certainly there is a small difference.
But even then, it stills come down to a matter of taste, I'm sure some will actually prefer the Logic presets over the SSL, and vice versa.

I named the files so you don't need to guess which is which.

These presets are intended for people who don't own or don't want to own Waves SSL. And they're free!

this is very generous of you. I think this spirit of giving knowlege makes this a better place to be a part of. There is also a thread about chord theory over in the hip Hop section started by someone completely green and people are being very helpful instead of Crass and condescending. Let's keep it going, thanks Lagerfelt.


Jazztone

[ari800]

Thanks for posting these !

Would you like to share the settings and especially the amount of gain reduction that you used in your audio files ?

Listening with Senheiser HD-25 they sound surprisingly similar, so I'd suspect that you are using fairly little gain reduction (as in mixbus usually). Although the Waves SSL sounds bit tighter, especially with the kick and vocals (but then again these are the elements that matters in this genre of music).

I'll definately download the presets and try them at the studio tomorrow. I'm not very good in comparing stuff with headphones.

BTW. I already tried you SSL stuff on Sonalksis compressor and really liked them, so I kind of know that I'm going to be using these too

[JPeters86]

Yeah thanks a lot! Will try them tomorrow

[Lagerfeldt]

Would you like to share the settings and especially the amount of gain reduction that you used in your audio files ?
...
BTW. I already tried you SSL stuff on Sonalksis compressor and really liked them, so I kind of know that I'm going to be using these too

I think these Logic 8 Compressor presets are much closer than the Sonalksis presets I did. The Sonalksis presets were modelled over my hardware Gyraf SSL clone, not the original or Waves SSL.

There's 2.3 dB of compressor GR on the test file, if I remember correctly. So a very realistic test. Other settings were Attack = 10 ms, Release =0.3 sec, Ratio = 4

[Karloff70]

Myge dejligt!!!

[ryst]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

I think these Logic 8 Compressor presets are much closer than the Sonalksis presets I did. The Sonalksis presets were modelled over my hardware Gyraf SSL clone, not the original or Waves SSL.

There's 2.3 dB of compressor GR on the test file, if I remember correctly. So a very realistic test. Other settings were Attack = 10 ms, Release =0.3 sec, Ratio = 4

Can you get the Sonalksis closer to the Waves SSL?

[Lagerfeldt]

Haven't tried, and not going to revisit those. The Sonalksis presets were aimed at emulating my hardware SSL clone, but lacks a bit of the low end and stereo width.

These Logic 8 presets are emulating the Waves SSL software, which is a slightly easier job. The Waves SSL itself being quite close to the real hardware but lacking a bit in the low end especially.

That's why I use the internal sidechain EQ in the Logic 8 compressor's extended parameters. However, that means a slightly different "control" in the low end but also less pumping and more fullness.

[wakestyle]

Lager: Are you implying that the logic's included compressor is comparable to the SSL?

somehow, i don't believe so...

[SKyflash34]

Thanks!! I'll try these out tomorrow.

[Ben F]

Nice work, can't wait to try it. Out of interest did you use the VCA or FET model? I really like the new Logic compressor as well.

[ari800]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Haven't tried, and not going to revisit those. The Sonalksis presets were aimed at emulating my hardware SSL clone, but lacks a bit of the low end and stereo width.

These Logic 8 presets are emulating the Waves SSL software, which is a slightly easier job. The Waves SSL itself being quite close to the real hardware but lacking a bit in the low end especially.

I found the Sonalksis setting very useful as a starting points for different kinds of bus compression. Especially because at the time I got them I was fairly new in Sonalksis stuff and it takes while to explore and learn good settings for each purpose.

Same thing with Logic compressor. Version 8 included lots of new stuff under the hood and these helps to getting into them easier...

I just listened the audioclips on my Genelecs and still think that both sounds fairly similar, though my earlier observations were quite accurate.

I messed up with the presets for a while in Logic too and liked them. Although I got Duende and still prefer it over the Waves SSL, so...

Eventually what these setting means is that you can get good results with quite underrated pieces, if you know what you are doing. Although I have always liked the Logic Compressor anyway and it's sidechaining functionality has pretty much changed the sound of modern dance music

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by wakestyle

Lager: Are you implying that the logic's included compressor is comparable to the SSL?

somehow, i don't believe so...

There's no reason to guess or "believe" in something.

If you read through my post you'll find both explanation, graphs and audio clips.

First read, then watch and finally listen.

Now decide for yourself if you think they can sound similar or not.

[H-Rezz]

Great presets and thanks for sharing Lagerfeldt, indeed the difference between the Waves SSL and Logic's own Comp seems marginal .....Logic has done a great job in revamping the new comp i love squashing vocs with it and mixing the signal in to about 40%, parrallel compression made easy ...

[Bassace]

thanks for the presets lagerfeldt, maybe this will be the start of something big....getting more folks to donate things

[loncali]

When you push the SSL, you get a distinctive analog distortion, which sounds really nice with hip-hop drums.

I know there is a soft-clip option in the preference section of the Logic 8 compressor, did you have any success in getting that to sound like the SSL when pushed to the red line?

[kidhandsome]

wow. thanks so much for posting these.

Listening to the audio clips, there's not that much of a difference. Howver the SSL file sounds slightly warmer and beefier.
Especially in that lower-mid sweetspot that expensive stuff always seems to sound great on.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by loncali

When you push the SSL, you get a distinctive analog distortion, which sounds really nice with hip-hop drums.

I know there is a soft-clip option in the preference section of the Logic 8 compressor, did you have any success in getting that to sound like the SSL when pushed to the red line?

Good question. The way the soft/hard clip is implemented in the processing chain "bundled" with the internal sidechain EQ does not allow for what I wanted. I could do something similar to this analog distortion but that would require making a whole channel strip instead, and even then it wouldn't sound completely right as these distortion types are either too strong at low levels (soft clip) or too linear (hard clip). Other Logic distortion types are all too linear.

[jaye b]

Thank You!

I'll give them a try when my logic DAW is up and running..

[LeMauce]

Mr. LagerFeldt. Thank you very much for the beautifull preset. I work alot but reallllly alot with the Waves one and find some minor difference in my sounds in a A/B test. I did a test in the studio where i work not alot people (8 out of 10) cant here the difference.
In one word 9 out 10, its just the G.I. thats still need a better "something" but hell its a preset!
Big thanks from Paris and V2 Studio.

[Lagerfeldt]

Thanks, that's a pretty good statistic if 8/10 can't hear the difference.

[krisstoff]

Dude you rock!!! Thanks for taking the time and effort to do this and post for al to use.

k

[ProducerBoy]

: (
Logic 7 user here...

[Rick Hoekman]

Thanks Holger!

It's nice to see the flexibility and power of the new compressor circuits!

Rick

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

: (
Logic 7 user here...

Sorry, it's simply not possibly in Logic 7 without the new "circuits" and internal sidechain filter.

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Thanks Holger!

It's nice to see the flexibility and power of the new compressor circuits!

Rick

Yup, I think they did a great job on these. After all, a compressor is probably the second most important tool in the box (EQ is no. 1 in my book at least).