Waves API, SSL, or V-Series (or all!)

[Fishy1500]

Ok, so I'm looking for a new set of plugins but can't decide which of these to pick up. What do each of these excel at from your experience with them? (ie: waves api for drums? How about vocals, pianos, guitars, etc?)

[dwall]

Of what you've listed, I just have the SSL stuff, which has a lot of color. I've only had it for a month or so, so my experience is limited. So far, I like the compressor especially on a drums Room mic at an aggressive setting with a more transparent compressor on the OH's (like the Sonalksis). I did the same sort of thing with a doubled nylon guitar rhythm part the other day, where I used the Sonalksis on one, and the SSL on the other at a more aggressive setting, which worked really well. Oh, and I've done it with a split bass signal as well.

I like the SSL eq for snares, and am still figuring out what I like the Channel Strip on. I've used it successfully on most drum mic's (most recently on kick), but haven't found it to be a go-to for something yet. I will say that I really like the gate on the strip. The Eq is nice too, but I'm still getting used to the compressor on it.

Basically I find myself leaning toward the SSL stuff when I want color, the Sonalksis when I want transparency. I also have the URS 1970, 75 and 80, which I use when I want a warm, aggressive color and more control over the parameters (typically on bass), but overall the SSL has a warmer color than the URS that really is quite nice and can be used quite effectively to shape the tone of an instrument (especially drums, in my experience so far). I'd be interested to know what other applications people are going to it for.

[Grumblefoot]

I have the ssl and api and the api eq's are slamming on nearly everything i have put them on. The ssl on the mix bus in also quite good.

[phillysoulman]

All, because they are all diferent colors and I love them all.

[1/2 Normal]

SSL bundle is 20% off this month!

Sounds great also

[Tony Shepperd]

All!

[Fishy1500]

i just took the plunge and got the whole classics series bundle off ebay. I've only been using the plugs since this morning but the only thing that comes to mind is "this is what quality eqs and comps should sound like"

[bkositzky]

Love the SSL plug-ins... (4000 G Master Buss Compressor = )

[Studio Dweller]

I bought the V-Series a while ago when they were 50% off and I finally just got the SSL the other day with 20% off deal. Eventually I'll might upgrade to the bundle and add the API.

I like them both very much. I've only done two mixes with the SSL so far, but I found it easy to get my sounds dialed in and the mix came together rather quickly. I really like the SSL channel strip. The EQ and the compressor work really nicely and the noise gate can be pretty amazing. I haven't spent enough time with the bus compressor yet.

[jbsg02]

I love the API and SSL stuff, the api 2500 compressor is my new favorite plug, and the SSL channel is great

[malgfunk]

All 3 bundles are great. I only have the SSL plugs now, but plan to add the V-series. The API 2500 (hardware) is my 2 buss comp and it's "sick" one of the best 2 buss comps ever.

[Protools Guy]

I got the SSL bundle when it came out and have used it on even mix since. You can't go wrong with it.

[Fishy1500]

Does the SSL G Bus Comp introduce a lot of latency? Or is it ok to put a few instances across several busses and still be able to track properly? For example I wouldn't use any of the L1-3 plugs or the Lineq until i was completely done tracking.

[thethrillfactor]

Not to be the kill joy around here but i've started really using the Waves SSL bundle lately and the plugs have absolutely "no give" like the console(i use to share an SSL 6K). I am absolutely shocked how stark its lacking.

I guess after reading around here for the last year or two how terrific its supposed to be i have to say i am a little dissapointed. And the Buss compressor is...?

Also all the CLA presets make me think that either his console needs work(which i doubt) or that Waves modeled through the monitor section(a big mistake) or that he probably shakes his head every time he tries one of the presets and realizes how much bigger & deeper the console sounds.

In fact that's what the plug ins lack in droves...depth & size. An SSL 4000/6000E for all of its miles and miles of wires and electronics does not sound this depthless.

I've worked on really shitty sounding SSL consoles in the past which i feel in the early and mid years gave SSL consoles a bad name, but i don't remember them being this small sounding.

The plug ins are all front and no back.

[Ahellam]

I'd say ssl channel is most useful.

[JPeters86]

I love the V-series! Just demo-ed them, going to purchase them this month. They just sound awesome. Works on basically everything, and adds Nevish thingies even at moderate settings.

[u b k]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

The plug ins are all front and no back.

you know of any plugs for which that isn't true? i find the most i can hope for is not losing what i've got, and in order to do that i've got to use very little of whatever it is i'm using.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

And the Buss compressor is...?

I found that out last week when I threw the 384 up next to the Waves b comp.
bummer

.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by u b k

you know of any plugs for which that isn't true? i find the most i can hope for is not losing what i've got, and in order to do that i've got to use very little of whatever it is i'm using.


gregoire
del
ubk
.

Word.
just engaging an outboard EQ-API,Neve's,Pultec electronics,etc=
ITB eq-zero for zero.I've yet to hear a plug eq thats adds any size

..

[Ambroise]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Not to be the kill joy around here but i've started really using the Waves SSL bundle lately and the plugs have absolutely "no give" like the console(i use to share an SSL 6K). I am absolutely shocked how stark its lacking.

I guess after reading around here for the last year or two how terrific its supposed to be i have to say i am a little dissapointed. And the Buss compressor is...?

Also all the CLA presets make me think that either his console needs work(which i doubt) or that Waves modeled through the monitor section(a big mistake) or that he probably shakes his head every time he tries one of the presets and realizes how much bigger & deeper the console sounds.

In fact that's what the plug ins lack in droves...depth & size. An SSL 4000/6000E for all of its miles and miles of wires and electronics does not sound this depthless.

I've worked on really shitty sounding SSL consoles in the past which i feel in the early and mid years gave SSL consoles a bad name, but i don't remember them being this small sounding.

The plug ins are all front and no back.

Hi Thrill, have you ever tried the UAD plugs ? If yes do you find them better sounding than waves or same lack of depth ?

[t_d]

i have the waves SSL and find that bus compressor distorts quite easily. not from gain, because i'm feeding it a fairly quiet signal... so it must be some really low frequency or something... i have not had the time to look into it too hard, but i'll hear low frequency clipping and rumble on certain tracks (i'm talking mix bus usage)....

when this happens i usually switch to the UAD 33609 and the distortions go away..

i demoed the waves API bundle and was blown away by the 2500... i'm debating whether or not to get the plugs or just get the hardware... unfortunately i don't have the cash for the hardware right now.. so i'm trying to find how "how close" the plug is...

never heard the V series.. but between the API and the SSL, i'd go with API.. but, it all depends on what kind of stuff you do i guess.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Ambroise

Hi Thrill, have you ever tried the UAD plugs ? If yes do you find them better sounding than waves or same lack of depth ?

I demoed the EMT plate emulation before they released it and gave it a

It doesn't have the depth of the real thing, but its alot of fun to use.

I can't really use the UAD stuff with PT unfortunately. Anything that needs to be wrapped pretty much sucks for us.

I like the Duende SSL stuff though but it was almost impossible to use without crashing.

[Jiggity]

I have the v series and the api. Just got them so I haven't had much time to mix with them but they do sound good. They all add some warmth and tone to the mix that I havn't heard with any other plugins. Probably not as much as a console but good for a plugin. I was very impressed with the api eq. Sounds great. probably my favorite so far.

[alexp]

Hey Jack nice to see you around here!!!!


I have the API and the SSL and both are amazing. Loving the 2500 compressor though, and the 550a eq is the dogs bollocks!

[six_wax]

Hmmm... Waves G bus compressor doesn't totally bother me. The upper mids on both that and the Waves 2500 feel a bit off (I agree with the lack of depth/size comments), but they're totally usable to me.

The SSLChannel eq is fine, expander/gate is great, but the channel comp just feels all frickin wrong to me. No smack to it.

[P.S. I'm sure I've spent around 1/50th the hours on an SSL that thrill has!]

[Stanley Cole]

the studio classics collection is great, V-series for character, Api for punch, SSl for ...i don't know, sometimes it works , sometimes it don't, but the B-comp rocks !

I'm sure the hardware is better, but for a plugins they sound great !

If you turn up the input on the V-series Comp , it puts some "Hiss" back in your clean cold digital recording, i love that !

[fakiekid]

I played with the V series and API bundle today.

not so impressed with the V series compared to the UAD.

the API bundle was absolutely amazing! EQ's that ADD punch? what the hell?

my 2 penneth

[fakiekid]

seems to be the trend of this thread is that everyone likes the API but mixed about the others!

[Tube World]

I love the Waves SSL plug ins. They are more aggressive than the UAD, and the compressor killer on a drum bus. Their clean but up front. Very nice.

V Series is smoother than the SSL and it is great for rounding your tracks.

API has more punch and thickness which is great.

Buy the Collection and get all 3.

[Mr.HOLMES]

Hi.

I love the Waves SSL also I had the chance to compare it to the real E-Channel Strip all I can say is:

Waves did a amazing job they sound nearly exactly the same with careful listening you can come so ****ing close to the hardware that it is in blind testing nearly impossible to tell which is is which file when listening back at the same RMS level.

I love these Plug-Ins they are my goto EQ and a real workhorse.
If money would not be a problem at the time I would blindly buy the JJP and the API as well.

Its Amazing what they do in emulation today.
It is enough EQ for me.

Sadly I did not tested the compressor but I will do that later.

My advise start with the SSL work with them for half a year think if you need more.
I could live only with them and would be a happy man.