Alan Smart C2 or Waves SSL TDM Plugin

[Joji]

I am going to buy a compressor for 2 bus that is for Hiphop and Dance music. I was going to get the Alan smart C2 because a lot of people on these forums say it is great for Hiphop R&B. But the store told me that the Waves SSL plugin is the same thing for $800. I would save a bundle of money.

Is there any difference. Is the Alan smart more open sounding, better stereo imaging than the Waves plugin or should I save money and get the plugin
thanks

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by Joji

I am going to buy a compressor for 2 bus that is for Hiphop and Dance music. I was going to get the Alan smart C2 because a lot of people on these forums say it is great for Hiphop R&B. But the store told me that the Waves SSL plugin is the same thing for $800. I would save a bundle of money.

Is there any difference. Is the Alan smart more open sounding, better stereo imaging than the Waves plugin or should I save money and get the plugin
thanks

The Waves SSL bundle is pretty good but nothing beats hardware imho.
Also you never really own a Waves plugin- simply a license and a requirement to pay them a yearly fee, called Waves Update Plan (WUP)
If you buy the C2 s/h then you will get your money back if you ever sell it- which you won't with a plugin- Waves charge the new buyer $150 USD to transfer the license.

The C2 is not just great for hip-hop- it is a fantastic piece of hardware.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Joji

I am going to buy a compressor for 2 bus that is for Hiphop and Dance music. I was going to get the Alan smart C2 because a lot of people on these forums say it is great for Hiphop R&B. But the store told me that the Waves SSL plugin is the same thing for $800. I would save a bundle of money.

Is there any difference. Is the Alan smart more open sounding, better stereo imaging than the Waves plugin or should I save money and get the plugin
thanks

I would buy the C2, but if you're strapped for cash the plugins are usable. I will say that I have experienced some weird stuff with the SSL compressor within Logic... The threshold is set up funny and even at the highest threshold it takes tto much off (in Logic with the stereo buss hitting around +1 DB)... I end up having to lower the faders on all tracks so the stereo buss isn't hit so hard.
Also, i sell the plugs for $599, so don't give them $800.

Originally Posted by Joji

I was going to get the Alan smart C2 because a lot of people on these forums say it is great

[Wiggum, Ralph]

Go with the C2 and don't look back...

[Syki]

Originally Posted by Wiggum, Ralph

Go with the C2 and don't look back...

Yep....waves is ok.... but the Allan Smart C2 is in another ball park!!

[Fredrik]

The C2 has the crush mode feature aswell wich you wont find on the plugin, the C2 works without the computer if you would want to. Also the plugins sound will depend on your converter witch is not the case with the C2.

I´d say if you got the cash get the C2

[sardi]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Also the plugins sound will depend on your converter witch is not the case with the C2.

Hows that? He still has to go out of the box to get into a hardware compressor, thus passing thru his convertors.

Im assuming that if he is enquiring wether to buy a plug or hardware, taht he would be primarily mixing in the box.

[Joji]

I am mixing out through a dangerous 2-bus but I come back in to Protools, On the printed track I bounce Waves Lin EQ , DUY WIde, Impact for the mometn until I get the C2 or SSL 4000.

[GL Respect Due]

"But the store told me that the Waves SSL plugin is the same thing for $800. I would save a bundle of money. "

What a bunch of bullsh-t. See, this is the type of nonsense that is ruing whats left of the "industry". "Buy Pro Tools, it'll suck your dick, roll your spliffs, and keep you warm at night.. oh yea, it sounds as good as tape and cost half the price!" That is until they make you buy (5) more hardware units to upgrades yearly + software bundles that they bring out anually that are incompatiable with your "new" system. But wait, theres more.. Digidesign will even throw in a can of KY Jelly and a potato slicer that makes perfect Julian cut frys!

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Joji

I am mixing out through a dangerous 2-bus but I come back in to Protools, On the printed track I bounce Waves Lin EQ , DUY WIde, Impact for the mometn until I get the C2 or SSL 4000.

Have you tried the SSL 4000 demo? It's pretty similar to Impact.

[cap217]

I use the SSL plugs and honestly, the mix buss compressor is the worst part of the plug ins! I have tried a lot of stuff out there, you are only asking about the C2 which I never used, I used the C1 though and Just got an Audient SUMO for the exact purpose you are wanting! I would say, you are already going out of the box so the harware just makes sense! And you can track with it as well.... check out the fatso, does some different stuff for a little cheaper! But I really suggest hardware for your situation. But I do want to defen the SSL plug ins, they are great and my go to eq's and channel strips! And I work on an SSL G+ so I know what they do and dont do.

[G-3]

Go with the CS man. If you don't have the loot... check out the URS stuff. They sound good (that which I've used), and don't have that WUP crap. I agree with the previous posts in that hardware sounds better... but plugins can help get you there too.