If SSL consoles are the Holy Grail, why aren't SSL channel strips - Page 2

warhead · 19th March 2008

Hmmm, a 2 year old thread...nice!

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm in Columbia SC where there are no SSL consoles to have experienced (ok, apparently some dude has one in a basement 20 miles from here but I've never bothered to go and hear it) but aren't the preamps in the new SSL channel strips a new design?

I honestly don't think the pres in the channel strips, or the 4 channel rack mount "VHD" pre etc, are the same. I thought Jim from SSL had posted about this here recently. The VHD is touted as essentially a "Duality" preamp in a channel strip, a new design.

I have used the VHD preamp on several sources, and each time it delivered a very full sound and had a particularly nice extended bottom end for kick drums etc too. Of course you can push them into distortion if you like, which makes them very versatile, but the basic preamp not pushed hard into the VHD circuit hard offers a very decent depth and roundness of sound.

War

clip6 · 19th March 2008

Trevor Horn did rack 8 channels from his E console. He has them in his Sarm 9000J room. He may be biased as he loves SSL consoles.

warhead · 19th March 2008

Yeah, but does Trevor Horn's grandmother play Kazoo?

War

SighBorg · 19th March 2008

Quote:

Are SSL's not known for being clean consoles? I don't think it's fair to compare Neve as Neve is known to be a bit of a 'dirtier' sounding console where as SSL are almost transparent sounding... This is what I've been told atleast.

I could not imagine calling the 4000 a transparent console. There are like a bazillion chips originally spec'd from 80's or earlier in the board. Just running a signal through it changes the sound... let alone engaging the EQs, dynamics, and bus matrix.

clip6 · 19th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pfraser

Okay well that is one of their consoles and one of their earliest is it not?

I think it was from his first SSL 4040 from Sarm East.

scotty-o · 19th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebolao

interesting...

i do mix on neve vr72 sometimes, is the routing much different than SSL?

Actually, the routing is pretty similar

-Scotty

SighBorg · 19th March 2008

Quote:

Okay well that is one of their consoles and one of their earliest is it not?

It's the one that most people think of when they think "SSL". It was still being ordered from SSL up to a few years ago.

Also the 4000, 6000, etc and their variants weren't exactly from other planets at their heart.

But yes, if you were referring specifically to their newer designs (Super Analog to present?) then by all accounts they're cleaner, though I haven't used them.

dbbubba · 19th March 2008

The original appeal of the SSL console was the fact that it was a SYSTEM designed for mixing.
Recall and total recall were a huge attraction because it allowed for a degree of repeatability that was difficult or cumbersome to say the least prior to SSLs.

The circuitry design/topology was nothing innovative, but having a compressor and gate on every channel was a plus. The EQ is nothing special.
Still, I have UREI/UA channel strips from 1969 that have a compressor on each channel.

If the original SSLs were close to anything it would be an MCI 500 series.
Similar op-amp design and the same dBx or Aphex VCAs.

So, although SSLs are a nice console it is hard to cram the entire channel strip into a rack piece. The parts that could be reduced in size are just not that special.

Plus, there were many more Neve consoles being retired compared to SSLs when the rack mount the pres craze started. Neve has the hype in that department.

theother · 9th April 2008

They are great for mixing. It's a mix of both the sound it imparts and the incredible routing you have.

As much as I love the sound of 4000's when mixing I don't want them when recording. And that's the reason why you don't want to rack 4000's. What's the point?

drago · 9th April 2008

Hi!

that compressing of all copies is but the similar one of SSL 9000
or 4000??

XLogic G Series Compressor

Smart Research C1 Compressor

Smart Research C2 Compressor

Alan Smart C1 Compressor

Alan Smart C2 Compressor

19th March 2008	#31
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,257	Hmmm, a 2 year old thread...nice! Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm in Columbia SC where there are no SSL consoles to have experienced (ok, apparently some dude has one in a basement 20 miles from here but I've never bothered to go and hear it) but aren't the preamps in the new SSL channel strips a new design? I honestly don't think the pres in the channel strips, or the 4 channel rack mount "VHD" pre etc, are the same. I thought Jim from SSL had posted about this here recently. The VHD is touted as essentially a "Duality" preamp in a channel strip, a new design. I have used the VHD preamp on several sources, and each time it delivered a very full sound and had a particularly nice extended bottom end for kick drums etc too. Of course you can push them into distortion if you like, which makes them very versatile, but the basic preamp not pushed hard into the VHD circuit hard offers a very decent depth and roundness of sound. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

9th April 2008	#40
drago Gear Head Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 58	SSl Comp Bus Master Hi! that compressing of all copies is but the similar one of SSL 9000 or 4000?? XLogic G Series Compressor Smart Research C1 Compressor Smart Research C2 Compressor Alan Smart C1 Compressor Alan Smart C2 Compressor

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19th March 2008	#32
clip6 Gear addict Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 420	Trevor Horn did rack 8 channels from his E console. He has them in his Sarm 9000J room. He may be biased as he loves SSL consoles.

19th March 2008	#38
dbbubba Banned Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,099	The original appeal of the SSL console was the fact that it was a SYSTEM designed for mixing. Recall and total recall were a huge attraction because it allowed for a degree of repeatability that was difficult or cumbersome to say the least prior to SSLs. The circuitry design/topology was nothing innovative, but having a compressor and gate on every channel was a plus. The EQ is nothing special. Still, I have UREI/UA channel strips from 1969 that have a compressor on each channel. If the original SSLs were close to anything it would be an MCI 500 series. Similar op-amp design and the same dBx or Aphex VCAs. So, although SSLs are a nice console it is hard to cram the entire channel strip into a rack piece. The parts that could be reduced in size are just not that special. Plus, there were many more Neve consoles being retired compared to SSLs when the rack mount the pres craze started. Neve has the hype in that department.

9th April 2008	#39
theother Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,089	They are great for mixing. It's a mix of both the sound it imparts and the incredible routing you have. As much as I love the sound of 4000's when mixing I don't want them when recording. And that's the reason why you don't want to rack 4000's. What's the point?