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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 4, 2016 11:07:38 GMT -6
Any feedback on knobs? My release knob is sticking out twice as far as the other knobs and I can press it in, whereas the others are flush/ mounted with no give, meaning you can't push the button in and hear a click. How do I reseat or reset this knob properly? Don't want to pop it off with a flathead to find out I fu**** my sa4000 release knob up without using it first 😂 My 3 knobs that are switched stick out further. I assume it's normal. imgur.com/a/VWTmb
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Post by ChaseUTB on Dec 4, 2016 23:47:08 GMT -6
Ya I like to call it personality or character of my unit 😬 My release knob is almost twice as far poking out as the other switched knobs... Did I say all the knobs feel amazing, yes i did. The long ass release knob probably switches with the most precision and is my favorite. I still have not got To use it yet but that is about to change. I love the gas tank meter, so classy, and bright 💡
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 6, 2016 9:51:37 GMT -6
So, I did some comparisons last night to my Serpent SB4001. The Stam is a great piece. I could dial in the Serpent to match the Stam and vice versa. However, the Serpent can go FAR beyond what the Stam can do. I can push the threshold of the Serpent way past the max threshold of the Stam. I think I was less than half the travel distance of the Serpent by the time the Stam threshold was maxed. It also seems like the meters between the two don't match exactly. The Serpent was telling me I was taking off 8dB, while the Stam read around 4-6dB by the time I dialed them in to sound the same. Don't know which one is more accurate, just an observation.
Obviously, the Stam piece doesn't have the features that the Serpent piece does, Mix knob, HPF, more attack/release settings, etc.
But, the Stam piece costs less than the Serpent.
I also felt that the Stam was slightly more gritty sounding than the Serpent, if at all. At more moderate settings the two pieces were pretty matched.
So, the Stam is a super great sounding SSL comp. No doubt. But so is the Serpent. The Serpent is more versatile, having more features and more range (headroom?). The Serpent does cost more than the Stam.
I don't think I need two SSL comps, or do I?
Just some observations. If money is tight, and you don't want/need the extra that the Serpent offers, then the Stam is a great choice.
Also, FWIW, all of my knobs stick out the same distance.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 6, 2016 9:56:28 GMT -6
does one have dbx and the other THAT chips ?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 6, 2016 10:02:18 GMT -6
It also seems like the meters between the two don't match exactly. The Serpent was telling me I was taking off 8dB, while the Stam read around 4-6dB by the time I dialed them in to sound the same. Don't know which one is more accurate, just an observation. When I did my SSL style shootout, everyone seemed to think I was overcompressing the Stam track too. Based on the meters, everything was pulling the same amount, but the Stam seemed to be hit harder. My ears also tell me that the Stam is more aggressive than the meters let on. Glad to see that you're seeing similar results there and it's not just me.
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 6, 2016 10:13:55 GMT -6
does one have dbx and the other THAT chips ? I believe the Serpent uses 9 THAT 2181 VCA chips, one in the side chain circuitry, and four in each channel. The Stam includes four THAT 2181X VCA´s. I think that's accurate. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 6, 2016 11:31:03 GMT -6
I had read that one I think the DBX can get a little dirtier and the THAT are considered cleaner ?
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Post by stam on Dec 6, 2016 11:35:50 GMT -6
So, I did some comparisons last night to my Serpent SB4001. The Stam is a great piece. I could dial in the Serpent to match the Stam and vice versa. However, the Serpent can go FAR beyond what the Stam can do. I can push the threshold of the Serpent way past the max threshold of the Stam. I think I was less than half the travel distance of the Serpent by the time the Stam threshold was maxed. It also seems like the meters between the two don't match exactly. The Serpent was telling me I was taking off 8dB, while the Stam read around 4-6dB by the time I dialed them in to sound the same. Don't know which one is more accurate, just an observation. Obviously, the Stam piece doesn't have the features that the Serpent piece does, Mix knob, HPF, more attack/release settings, etc. But, the Stam piece costs less than the Serpent. I also felt that the Stam was slightly more gritty sounding than the Serpent, if at all. At more moderate settings the two pieces were pretty matched. So, the Stam is a super great sounding SSL comp. No doubt. But so is the Serpent. The Serpent is more versatile, having more features and more range (headroom?). The Serpent does cost more than the Stam. I don't think I need two SSL comps, or do I? Just some observations. If money is tight, and you don't want/need the extra that the Serpent offers, then the Stam is a great choice. Also, FWIW, all of my knobs stick out the same distance. This is great infomation. Just remember, the SA4000 is nothing more and nothing less than an SSL Stereo Compressor. I have no experience with the Serpent Audio but it obiously is something else. I could improve the original SSL, I could add Carnhill transformers, features, etc.., obviously the price would be different but people asked me to build the same unit at a resanoble price. The goal was achieved and it is our best selling product now. Thanks!
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Post by indiehouse on Dec 6, 2016 11:35:54 GMT -6
I had read that one I think the DBX can get a little dirtier and the THAT are considered cleaner ? I don't know. But it appears both units are using the exact same chip. It's just that the Serpent is using over twice the amount as the Stam!
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Post by ChaseUTB on Dec 6, 2016 12:30:42 GMT -6
The serpent audio are in stock at most dealers as well. Now that stam has gotten things moving smoother maybe he will be in stock as well.
Weird how one user knobs are even, J's switched knobs are longer than his non switched and mine where the the release is super far poked out, other switched knobs equal, but further than the gain and threshold which are flush with the face plate.
Is this a customs thing with the knobs, or is this a QC issue?
I believe the Serpent has a grit switch or something to dirty it up too.
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Post by Guitar on Dec 6, 2016 15:11:43 GMT -6
Why don't you just move the knobs where you want them? It seems like a small deal to me.
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Post by ChaseUTB on Dec 7, 2016 4:32:58 GMT -6
Why don't you just move the knobs where you want them? It seems like a small deal to me. I have asked how several times with no response, am not a DIY guy like you and don't want to break a knob off my compressor being dumb. Yes it is small and why I didn't post 15 times or PM members freaking out about a knob Alas, yes I would like all the knobs to line up, I also have bigger fish to fry and after a couple searches on google turned up nothing, I left well alone. I am pretty positive when you build your gear all your knobs line up and are positioned the same, other users say their SA4000 knobs are all equal length mine aren't...
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 7, 2016 4:38:05 GMT -6
I'll check mine out when it shows up but I would think you would have to cut them to shorten them or fit them differently against the inside of the faceplate, probably neither would be recommended ?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2016 8:41:53 GMT -6
Plastic axis is easy to cut, probably with a dremel a matter of a minute. But has to be done with care to not damage anything else or put too much mechanical stress on the pots/switches if they are soldered to a PCB. But as i see it, it is a purely aesthetical thing. Maybe stam chimes in on this issue at some point?
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Post by forgotteng on Dec 8, 2016 21:17:31 GMT -6
All my knobs were even and I really dig the sound of this piece. I just played around with it today for a bit.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 8, 2016 21:25:34 GMT -6
what cabling is required for the side chain to a balanced 1/4 patch bay ?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 8, 2016 21:32:22 GMT -6
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Post by Ward on Dec 9, 2016 21:46:20 GMT -6
what cabling is required for the side chain to a balanced 1/4 patch bay ? I don't think I've ever come across a balanced side chain. So the afore-mentioned 1/4 trs to dual 1/4 ts is likely.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 10, 2016 7:36:04 GMT -6
Thx: having a very positive first experience with Stam 4K on 2 bus nothing else except FF limiter at end.
I forgot I had a balanced 8x8 1/4 trs cable left over from my dbox, so I used 5 of those to patch the stam to the patchbay, seems to be working fine.
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 10, 2016 9:25:14 GMT -6
Playing with the Stam 4k on my master buss adn only fab filter limiter last.
here is some info from the actual ssl owner's manual:
4.0 Operation The XLogic Stereo Compressor unit is a 1U rack-mounting stereo compressor designed to provide flexible control over a stereo mix. The compressor design is based around that found in the XL 9000 console Centre Section.
4.1 Compressor Controls The compressor sidechain controls are straight forward and hopefully require little explanation. The ATTACK, RATIO and RELEASE controls are multi-position switches; the THRESHOLD and MAKE-UP controls are continuously variable potentiometers. It should be noted that the knee point of the compressor, set with the THRESHOLD control, purposely changes depending on the setting of the RATIO control. Decreasing the RATIO setting lowers the effective threshold, hence maintaining the perceived ‘loudness’ of the compressed signal. The illuminated compression meter to the left of the unit displays gain reduction for the compressor. If required, a secondary (non-illuminated) meter can be connected via the REMOTE connector on the rear of the unit – see Appendix B for connector details.
4.2 External Side Chain The compressor side chain can be driven either by the main stereo channel signal(s) whereby the loudest signal wins and provides the side chain signal, or by an external (mono) signal applied to the KEY INPUT on the rear of the unit. This feature is enabled by the EXTERNAL SIDE-CHAIN switch on the front panel and opens up the possibility to use the unit as a ‘ducker’ (for audio-follow applications) or, with external EQ, as a ‘deesser.
The instruction about the knee point Threshold changing based on ratio. So this is positively correlated to the ratio ? As the ratio goes up, the threshold goes up too but the volume falls ( dues to the increased ratio and compression ) but you make this up with the make up gain by ear and by eyeballing the meter and settings ?
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Post by mulmany on Jun 24, 2017 11:38:04 GMT -6
stam, I put a pre-order in for the SA4000, but did not receive a confirmation from you just the PayPal receipt. Just wanted to check in. Patrick
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Post by notneeson on Jul 24, 2018 21:52:53 GMT -6
Guys, The SA-4000 is a replica of the SSL Buss Compressor, not the GSSL. It has actually nothing do with the GSSL Therefore it behaves like the SSL does. We use the original schematics on all units. Thanks stam, you've said here and at GS that the SA-4000 is based on the original SSL schematics. I own and enjoy an SA-4000. I have a lot of time on an SSL G384 and I feel that they're quite similar, so my question is just out of curiosity. Someone asked on Facebook asked which was closer to the original SSL, the MK1 or the MK2. You answered MK2. How is the MK2 closer to the SSL? Thanks!
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Post by stam on Jul 25, 2018 8:25:25 GMT -6
Guys, The SA-4000 is a replica of the SSL Buss Compressor, not the GSSL. It has actually nothing do with the GSSL Therefore it behaves like the SSL does. We use the original schematics on all units. Thanks stam , you've said here and at GS that the SA-4000 is based on the original SSL schematics. I own and enjoy an SA-4000. I have a lot of time on an SSL G384 and I feel that they're quite similar, so my question is just out of curiosity. Someone asked on Facebook asked which was closer to the original SSL, the MK1 or the MK2. You answered MK2. How is the MK2 closer to the SSL? Thanks! Because I reversed engineerd the DBX cans. It is now 100% identical
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Post by kcatthedog on Jul 25, 2018 8:53:31 GMT -6
A little confused by the pricing? If you own the current comp, you can order a new one at $499 and the mod is extra ?
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Post by stam on Jul 25, 2018 9:38:16 GMT -6
yes
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