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Post by sozocaps on Sept 3, 2013 11:39:47 GMT -6
What are my options for getting an SSL preamp for my home studio besides getting a console of course?
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Post by jcoutu1 on Sept 3, 2013 11:52:16 GMT -6
I'd pass on the SSL pres. I never found them to be anything special. Just kind of plain sounding. The SSL's were more about the flexible eq, onboard dynamics, and routing IMO.
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Post by svart on Sept 3, 2013 11:57:28 GMT -6
You can check the Really Real DIY thread. I posted a layout for 4x ssl preamps, if you are willing to make them yourself. But otherwise, I agree with Jcoutu1, they are very neutral. That's their best and worst quality. Very neutral and very low distortion, but these days that can be taken as bland and uninteresting as well.
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Post by sozocaps on Sept 3, 2013 12:37:29 GMT -6
I was thinking an SSL flavor for metal people who like SSL for tracking... ?
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Post by svart on Sept 3, 2013 13:17:16 GMT -6
You're thinking of the surgical EQ sound. The SSL EQ and mix bus are great. Very clean and open sounding which is good for metal. Generally, things are tracked on a Neve or API and then mixed on an SSL.
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Post by ionian on Sept 3, 2013 16:22:50 GMT -6
The Xrack VHD preamps are great. The VHD circuit sounds great when over driven and can pull off tubey distortion or solid state sounding distortion. Love the built in talkback compressor and filters also!
If you're looking for SSL pres, I'd tell you to go with the VHD pres. They're great.
Regards,
Frank
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Post by sozocaps on Sept 3, 2013 16:25:47 GMT -6
Svart... Thanks! I guess the issue is... some guys hear SSL and want to track at your studio
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Post by sozocaps on Sept 3, 2013 16:29:29 GMT -6
The 500 stuff is all opamps LOL Junk!
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Post by Ward on Sept 9, 2013 23:20:29 GMT -6
DON'T!! Stay far away from SSL pres. Not the sound. Like Svart said: Neve and API (and Focusrite says me) for tracking, SSL for mixing. So, save up for a desk.
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Post by svart on Sept 10, 2013 9:16:04 GMT -6
The 500 stuff is all opamps LOL Junk! Eh? All of SSL's designs are opamp based, including the large consoles, that's why they are so clean and low distortion. They make nothing that is discrete. |
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Post by Ward on Sept 10, 2013 10:19:45 GMT -6
The 500 stuff is all opamps LOL Junk! Eh? All of SSL's designs are opamp based, including the large consoles, that's why they are so clean and low distortion. They make nothing that is discrete. Precisely correct. +1 I have heard it argued that all the Digi/Avid Mbox and 002s and 003s have the "SSL preamp sound" and that Beringher (sorry for swearing) "comes really close too". That should tell you something. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 10:23:35 GMT -6
API is also op amp based.. 2520 anyone???
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Post by svart on Sept 10, 2013 11:08:04 GMT -6
Eh? All of SSL's designs are opamp based, including the large consoles, that's why they are so clean and low distortion. They make nothing that is discrete. Precisely correct. +1 I have heard it argued that all the Digi/Avid Mbox and 002s and 003s have the "SSL preamp sound" and that Beringher (sorry for swearing) "comes really close too". That should tell you something. Well, I can tell you that they are in no way like Mbox or Behringer.. Lets look at the SSL 9k preamp.. Precision matched input transistors for impedance conversion, 5x single opamps comprising a distributed gain instrumentation amplifier with proper internal offset and frequency compensation circuits, resistor feedback networks with frequency variable feedback to ensure gain is flat over all levels, resistor networks are designed with values to be the least noisy, 3x opamps for DC servos to keep large capacitors out of the signal chain.. The results are very low distortion, wide frequency response, low group delay and phase delay.. Behringer.. 2x Unmatched transistors(on some models), 1x opamp maxed out on gain. High distortion and narrow frequency response.. Mbox.. 1x opamp. Hardly a comparison. |
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Post by svart on Sept 10, 2013 11:11:13 GMT -6
API is also op amp based.. 2520 anyone??? It is, but I think they meant to talk down about the IC opamps that SSL uses. It's funny to think that the 2520 has a slew rate somewhere around 4v/us which is barely usable for audio.. While the most hated opamps tend to have 2x that slew rate yet get hated on for not being fast and detailed.. It's clearly a case of misinformed folks jumping on bandwagons. As I've always said when folks hate on ICs, it's not what you use, it's how you use it. SSL does an outstanding job with IC opamps. It's also worth mentioning that IC opamps are the same as discrete opamps like the 2520. They are just put on a single wafer of silicon instead of packaged up separately. I think what most people dislike about IC opamps is not the IC itself, but the cheap gear they are used in. It's usually designed with the cheapest parts around the opamps that affect it's sound more than most people understand. SSL knows how to do it right, but you also pay a lot more for their gear too. There is no free lunch. |
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Post by Ward on Sept 10, 2013 16:31:07 GMT -6
API is also op amp based.. 2520 anyone??? I think it's fair to say there's an enormous difference between generic op amps and ICs and the 2520 used in API circuits which is quite renowned for integrity and character. |
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