waves SSL buss comp, I dont get it!

mixernet · 6th September 2006

Ok, so after reading billions of opinions about these plugs, I got a demo to try out.

I cant believe how SO SO the buss comp sounds. Yet many RAVE about it! I compared it to the URS 1980 comp which is supposed to model a VCA type compressor, same principal of compression as the SSL...

The URS was much more open and snappy sounding with a resemblance of some sort of sound stage. The Waves SSL didnt have this snap, and certainly not the soundstage. Didnt sound too bad, but didnt sound anywhere near as good as others are raving about by a country mile.

I checked anything that could be skewing the test, and came up with nothing...

So is it just me, or is there nothing great about this compressor? I bet the real deal such as the FX384 or C2 would absolutely kill it ?

johndough · 6th September 2006

I like the channel strips more than the bus comp.

mixernet · 6th September 2006

same. The EQ's I like muchly. I just dont get why the comp sounds like ass! Maybe comps. are harder to implement with software? Dunno...

SnakeCained · 6th September 2006

The duende thing sounds alot better and a lot more "SSL"

I used the waves comp on some backing vocals and it was ok but it ain't no 2 buss baby

GGreen · 6th September 2006

The waves comps on the SSL bundle are well off the mark imho.

The G series Eq sounds dire as well it has an almost phasey character very odd sounding to my ears maybe im mad and just hearing things.... whilst the E series is the best of the bunch imho.

The bus comp just feels lazy no snap to its compression action and the channel comps suffer much the same.

Duende all the way im afraid.

Obviously all imo.

GFX

84K · 6th September 2006

I like the buss comp better than the compressor in the channel strip. But I agree with the popular opinion that the EQ is the best part of the bundle. The gate in the channel strip is nice too.

The buss comp is decent as far as plugin compressors go. I find people generally tend to like the plugin compressors that fuk with the phase the most. I personally do not like the "warming" functions of plugin compressors like the Oxford Dynamics and the others like the Phoenix and the Hydratone. Too much phase whackyness for me. ITB compression overall is still far away from analog.

EQ's are (generally) much closer/more useable.

But I do like the Oxford Dynamics without the warming. That is still my favorite buss compressor itb.

The SSL buss is second if I want a super agressive fast release and medium attack smack.thumbsup

starseed · 7th September 2006

I think the SSL does a good job on the 2 bus, at least for electronic beats/bass. The PSP Mastercomp is a fine piece, tuneable as they come, but when I switch the SSL comp in, it does what I told the PSP MC to do, with one fifth of the knob adjustments.

My only criticism would be that it collapses the stereo field more.

Bottom line, IMO the SSL works for body-music.

By the way, what compressor is rockin' your socks off ?

It would be nice to try it out...

proxy · 7th September 2006

I think the threashold sweetspot is harder to find, but I think that is due to the interface. The sweetspot on a real SSL might be harder to find if you were adjusting it with a mouse.

I think familiarity with the original helps you get the most out of it, although I don't think it's quite 100% of what the hardware is.

- p

AlexLakis · 7th September 2006

The real bus comp on a real SSL console is inexplicablely awesome.

The plugin carries just a fraction of that awesomeness, but it still rules.

I don't use it as a ultility compressor. That is, I don't use it to compress as much as I use it to just beef up the track. Its effect is very subtle when I'm done with it. But when you bypass it, you will notice a loss of fatness and warmth. That's all I really use it for.

The settings I use are usually around as follows: Ratio: 2, Release: Auto, Attack: 10. I set the threshold so that the needle is barely moving, usually peaking around 2.

If you want a more dramatic effect, try increasing the ratio and the makeup gain. You might be surprised at how punchy the compressor can be on ratio:10, especially with the correct attack setting!

starseed · 7th September 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexLakis

The settings I use are usually around as follows: Ratio: 2, Release: Auto, Attack: 10. I set the threshold so that the needle is barely moving, usually peaking around 2.

That's exactly how I've had it tuned, to help the mix gel.

Nice that you approve of the plugin, even if you have the geniune article.

Thanks for Adding something useful to this whiny thread.

6th September 2006	#1
mixernet Gear interested Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 24 Thread Starter	waves SSL buss comp, I dont get it! Ok, so after reading billions of opinions about these plugs, I got a demo to try out. I cant believe how SO SO the buss comp sounds. Yet many RAVE about it! I compared it to the URS 1980 comp which is supposed to model a VCA type compressor, same principal of compression as the SSL... The URS was much more open and snappy sounding with a resemblance of some sort of sound stage. The Waves SSL didnt have this snap, and certainly not the soundstage. Didnt sound too bad, but didnt sound anywhere near as good as others are raving about by a country mile. I checked anything that could be skewing the test, and came up with nothing... So is it just me, or is there nothing great about this compressor? I bet the real deal such as the FX384 or C2 would absolutely kill it ?

7th September 2006	#7
starseed Gear addict Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 394 1 Review written	SSL Cleaning Fairy I think the SSL does a good job on the 2 bus, at least for electronic beats/bass. The PSP Mastercomp is a fine piece, tuneable as they come, but when I switch the SSL comp in, it does what I told the PSP MC to do, with one fifth of the knob adjustments. My only criticism would be that it collapses the stereo field more. Bottom line, IMO the SSL works for body-music. By the way, what compressor is rockin' your socks off ? It would be nice to try it out...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Waves SSL G-Comp on rap...	The Marrvel	Rap + Hip Hop engineering & production	26	22nd August 2006 10:05 AM
SSL g series mix buss comp.	Push845	High end	12	2nd June 2006 09:32 PM
Another SSL Mix Buss Comp Question	StudioKing	High end	5	30th January 2006 10:48 PM
SSL 2mix buss comp	latweek	So much gear, so little time!	21	2nd September 2004 04:48 AM

6th September 2006	#2
johndough Gear nut Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 128	I like the channel strips more than the bus comp.

6th September 2006	#4
SnakeCained Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: LONDON Posts: 662	The duende thing sounds alot better and a lot more "SSL" I used the waves comp on some backing vocals and it was ok but it ain't no 2 buss baby

6th September 2006	#5
GGreen Gear addict Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 476	The waves comps on the SSL bundle are well off the mark imho. The G series Eq sounds dire as well it has an almost phasey character very odd sounding to my ears maybe im mad and just hearing things.... whilst the E series is the best of the bunch imho. The bus comp just feels lazy no snap to its compression action and the channel comps suffer much the same. Duende all the way im afraid. Obviously all imo. GFX

6th September 2006	#6
84K Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2004 Location: right coast Posts: 3,857	I like the buss comp better than the compressor in the channel strip. But I agree with the popular opinion that the EQ is the best part of the bundle. The gate in the channel strip is nice too. The buss comp is decent as far as plugin compressors go. I find people generally tend to like the plugin compressors that fuk with the phase the most. I personally do not like the "warming" functions of plugin compressors like the Oxford Dynamics and the others like the Phoenix and the Hydratone. Too much phase whackyness for me. ITB compression overall is still far away from analog. EQ's are (generally) much closer/more useable. But I do like the Oxford Dynamics without the warming. That is still my favorite buss compressor itb. The SSL buss is second if I want a super agressive fast release and medium attack smack.thumbsup

7th September 2006	#8
proxy Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 447	I think the threashold sweetspot is harder to find, but I think that is due to the interface. The sweetspot on a real SSL might be harder to find if you were adjusting it with a mouse. I think familiarity with the original helps you get the most out of it, although I don't think it's quite 100% of what the hardware is. - p

7th September 2006	#9
AlexLakis Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD/Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,631	The real bus comp on a real SSL console is inexplicablely awesome. The plugin carries just a fraction of that awesomeness, but it still rules. I don't use it as a ultility compressor. That is, I don't use it to compress as much as I use it to just beef up the track. Its effect is very subtle when I'm done with it. But when you bypass it, you will notice a loss of fatness and warmth. That's all I really use it for. The settings I use are usually around as follows: Ratio: 2, Release: Auto, Attack: 10. I set the threshold so that the needle is barely moving, usually peaking around 2. If you want a more dramatic effect, try increasing the ratio and the makeup gain. You might be surprised at how punchy the compressor can be on ratio:10, especially with the correct attack setting!