Waves ssl 4000 series bus compressor vs
In testing, the difference it makes is far from subtle.
WAVES SSL 4000 SERIES BUS COMPRESSOR VS SERIES
A 4000 Series preamp hasn’t been copy/pasted into the 2+ but SSL states the 4K switch uses the same components to amplify the high frequencies and add subtle harmonic distortion. Why else would anyone buy an SSL interface if not for the promise of that classic, punchy, in-your-face character over all your recordings? SSL knows this, which is why the preamps on the 2+ feature a 4K button designed to mimic the sound of the SSL 4000 series console. Onto the prized jewel of the 2+ the preamps.
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The Monitor Mix knob (takes me back to the MBox days) lets you dial in a desired balance between your DAW output and interface inputs, with a Stereo button to pan stereo sources hard left/right. Basic five-stage metering on each input is sufficient to set mic gain, which, by the way, is plentiful and clean. Recording a solo acoustic song with the SSL 2+ was an absolute blast – you’ve got to love the simplicity of a plug ’n’ play box without excess electronics or DSP distractions.
WAVES SSL 4000 SERIES BUS COMPRESSOR VS PRO
You don’t get routing software, although a bundle of plug-ins and other software bonuses come as standard, including SSL’s Native Vocalstrip and Drumstrip plug-ins, Native Instruments Hybrid Keys and Komplete Start, Pro Tools First and Ableton Live Lite, and 1.5GB of samples from Loopcloud. A couple of the buttons were sticky on my review unit.Ĭlass compliance means firing up the SSL 2+ is as easy as plugging it in. SSL has used Alps pots all round and Neutrik connectors. Physically, the unit is mostly plastic and lightweight but looks the part with that brushed metal finish. The interface is bus-powered via a USB-C connector with no option for an external power supply – it’s unnecessary for such a low I/O count. Mastering with the SSL 2+ isn’t recommended. A pair of MIDI I/O rounds off the back panel.Ĭonversion specs on the outputs are underwhelming, with 112dB of dynamic range on the main monitor outputs and 111dB on the headphone outs. The main monitor mix is fed into balanced TRS, unbalanced RCA and Phones 1 outputs. Of course, this is handy when a tracking performer wants their own mix. The secondary headphones port can be fed with this output too when the 3&4 button next to the Phones 2 level knob is depressed. Curiously, this bonus output manifests itself as a pair of RCA outputs, suggesting SSL assumes DJs will use Outputs 3-4 as a cueing send, perhaps. you can create a separate mix by routing audio from your DAW to Outputs 3-4. What makes the SSL 2+ different from its SSL 2 sibling is an extra set of stereo outputs, ie. That said, the lack of switchable high-pass filters and pads on the preamps, raised an eyebrow. I’m grateful SSL has given each pre its own phantom power instead of an irksome ‘global’ 48V setting. The two onboard preamps have a 62dB gain range, a ‘Legacy 4K’ button (that we’ll talk about later), and a satisfyingly low noise level of -130.5dB. The combi inputs cater to mic, line or instrument signals. The SSL 2+ is a two-input audio interface. But everyone’s hope is it can do so without sacrificing the no-compromise reputation with it. Naturally it follows that SSL would turn its attention to the other end of the market. SSL’s big-console salad days are behind it.
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It’s fair enough things have turned out this way – the appetite for gargantuan consoles sprawled across a swanky studio has diminished. A mini Solid Stage Logic interface sitting on my desk feels quite like having a pushbike with a Ferrari badge on it.
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Now I’m reviewing a sub-$500 USB audio interface with two inputs sporting the legendary logo. Heck, I revered SSL so much I was envious of my super cool friends who owned G-Series bus compressor emulation plug-ins. A hero shot of a mammoth Duality console was my screen saver for at least six months. I remember witnessing my first SSL console as a wide-eyed nerdy audio kid and my jaw dropping when I heard how much was paid for it. The Solid State Logic brand carries a reputation which, until now, hasn’t been associated with affordability.