SSL Channel & BusCom - help me to choose

[nstu]

Hi guys...

so i want to buy one of the ssl plugins.
I worked for some projects on a ssl duality (tracking & mixing) and liked it a lot.

I know there are many kinds of threads were the plugins discussed but i like to get your personal opinion. Pleas no technical programming things. I know every plugin have a different programming and dose not sound like the hardware/console etc...

i want to know which one you like more, which one works better for you in a mix.


Beside that my first impression:

UAD: I have an duo, but although many other plugs. so i cant use so much channels if i go for uad. But i had a demo for some time and liked it. The BusCom more than the channel strip.

WAVES: I don't like the Waves Wup-thing. So i don't have any plugs of waves. + for native version

SOLID STATE LOGIC: It is quit expensive for both plugs. When I'm right I need just for a demo the ssl-ilok. A bit complicated. + for native, + for the "original"


So till today i tested only the UAD version and now can't make a real shot out between all 3 plugs.
I hope you can give me a little kick in the "right" direction...

thanks

[LunarSonics]

Depends on what you need more? personally I love and use them both a lot.

The G channel is something I end up throwing across at least half my tracks in most of my mixes (something akin to mixing through a console itself). When you've got uniform SSL eq, compression, and/or gating going on on a bunch of your tracks, it can very much push your mix towards that 'ssl sound' as your tracks are independently racking up that flavor

The Buscomp is also something I use in almost every mix, albeit not as heavily. I love it on a drum bus I love it on the 2 bus (minor reduction, but the glue is undeniable).

To make the choice, I'd just suggest asking yourself which would provide more for you for the cost. Do you already have some EQ's and compressors you like to mix with on your tracks? If so, the g-channel might be just an extra cost to get a bit more variety. Do you already have a good bus compressor that adds a good punch and some tasty glue to your stuff? If not, the buscomp might be a good choice!

It's a tough call, they're both quite fantastic imo.

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by nstu

Hi guys...

so i want to buy one of the ssl plugins.
I worked for some projects on a ssl duality (tracking & mixing) and liked it a lot.

I know there are many kinds of threads were the plugins discussed but i like to get your personal opinion. Pleas no technical programming things. I know every plugin have a different programming and dose not sound like the hardware/console etc...

i want to know which one you like more, which one works better for you in a mix.


Beside that my first impression:

UAD: I have an duo, but although many other plugs. so i cant use so much channels if i go for uad. But i had a demo for some time and liked it. The BusCom more than the channel strip.

WAVES: I don't like the Waves Wup-thing. So i don't have any plugs of waves. + for native version

SOLID STATE LOGIC: It is quit expensive for both plugs. When I'm right I need just for a demo the ssl-ilok. A bit complicated. + for native, + for the "original"


So till today i tested only the UAD version and now can't make a real shot out between all 3 plugs.
I hope you can give me a little kick in the "right" direction...

thanks

You don't need a special "SSL ilok" thing for the Duende plugins, SSL configures a virtual one on your hard drive when you activate them. You only need it if you want to use the plugins on more than one computer. Someone's selling the channel and bus comp in the classifieds right now for $250 for both.

I would recommend you to grab it.

[Sounddesigner]

I bought both the Buss compressor and Channelstrip for only $431.10. Don't buy individual plugins directly from SSL buy Bundles from Third-party retail stores like Front End Audio, Alto music, Jrrshop, etc. The Buss compressor and Channelstrip are sold at $329 each directly from SSL but they both are in the Native Essentials Bundle for $479 from retail stores. I got a 10% discount from Front End Audio on my Native Essentials bundle. Alto music and Jrrshop are known for giving discounts so i'd definitely contact one of the stores i mentioned here if i where you. Why choose one when you can have both


The Duende plugins are fairly cheap if you know how to buy them, it is Uad and Waves that are expensive. With Uad you have to buy the hardware and you may need one or two Quads to get the desired instance count of all your uad plugs. If more instances are needed for uad plugins then more hardware is needed, and the hardware is too expensive for what you get. Waves's bundle is reasonably priced but as a company they are expensive to be involved with imo, i.e. ilok cost, transfer fees, WUP, and whatever else. My duende plugins run on my Core i7 and i can get atleast 50 instances at 96khz samplerate and ultra-low-latency (2.7ms-4ms roundtrip). Most of the duende plugins are zero-latency and quite cpu efficient relatively speaking. My instance count for my duende plugins will naturally increase when i do my normal computer upgrades and Computers are getting cheaper for immense power (I love dsp cards, just not the way UA does it). IMO the duende has the best bargain of those 3 you mentioned when looking at the whole picture.

PS. If you have to choose between the channelstrip and Buss comp then you'll need to do as the previouse poster LunarSonics suggested and figure out wich one best serves your needs. I think i like the Buss comp a bit more but both are excellent and high quality sounding.


EDITED

[SWAN808]

get the duende versions I say...UAD is far to CPU heavy - and Waves is a bit grainy...
However - I would save that money and get Cytomic Glue SSL bus compressor and PSP Oldtimer (for channels)...use your DAW EQ...

[nstu]

Originally Posted by LunarSonics

Depends on what you need more? personally I love and use them both a lot.

The G channel is something I end up throwing across at least half my tracks in most of my mixes (something akin to mixing through a console itself). When you've got uniform SSL eq, compression, and/or gating going on on a bunch of your tracks, it can very much push your mix towards that 'ssl sound' as your tracks are independently racking up that flavor

The Buscomp is also something I use in almost every mix, albeit not as heavily. I love it on a drum bus I love it on the 2 bus (minor reduction, but the glue is undeniable).

To make the choice, I'd just suggest asking yourself which would provide more for you for the cost. Do you already have some EQ's and compressors you like to mix with on your tracks? If so, the g-channel might be just an extra cost to get a bit more variety. Do you already have a good bus compressor that adds a good punch and some tasty glue to your stuff? If not, the buscomp might be a good choice!

It's a tough call, they're both quite fantastic imo.

Yes, i def. want both...but i was think of which developer. both from on or maybe channel strip from UAD and bussCom from Solid State..

I worked with the hardware and the buscom was a dream on the 2bus.

The Glue..yes i read about that one. I'll try a demo. I also saw on youTube a video SSL BusCom vs. PIE Com (both WAVES)...sounded like another option.

[nstu]

Originally Posted by SWAN808

get the duende versions I say...UAD is far to CPU heavy - and Waves is a bit grainy...
However - I would save that money and get Cytomic Glue SSL bus compressor and PSP Oldtimer (for channels)...use your DAW EQ...

thanks for the advice!

[nstu]

Originally Posted by E.rOk.stA

You don't need a special "SSL ilok" thing for the Duende plugins, SSL configures a virtual one on your hard drive when you activate them. You only need it if you want to use the plugins on more than one computer. Someone's selling the channel and bus comp in the classifieds right now for $250 for both.

I would recommend you to grab it.

Thanks for the info. then i will look to get a demo of them.
Yes, someone send me the $250 offer.

I will think about that when i get the demo.