Fairchild vs. SSL

I've got an opportunity to get a good price on a Waves bundle. I may have to take advantage of it. I'm looking at the SSL 4000 package (channel strip, EQ and buss comp) and the JJP Collection (Fairchild 670, Pultec EQP-1A, Pultec MEQ-5). Without getting into discussions about the pros and cons of Waves, I'd like to ask for some insight from anybody who's familiar with the gear being modeled.

Specifically, what are the characteristics and differences of the above hardware? What kind of "sound" do you get from each? Maybe some examples of where they've been used in the past on well-known recordings. Any input or advice would be helpful.

A few more specific questions:

- I know that the SSL consoles came out in the late 70s, and the Fairchild is from the 50s. Would it be fair to say that the SSL stuff has a more "modern" sound, and the Fairchild/Pultec more "vintage"?

- If the SSL stuff has been used on so many records, why do you say it's not general purpose?

- What exactly do you mean by "aggressive"?

I'm somewhat hesitant on the API bundle because it includes 3 separate EQs (which I'm not sure I need), and one compressor. The SSL appeals to me because of the all-in-one EQ/dynamics strip.

I'm assuming there must be some other reason why they would model the SSLs, since automation isn't really an issue on a DAW. The thing I like (and I assume is/was a big selling point of the consoles) is that you've got EQ, filters, compression, gate, etc. all in one strip. I've grown dissatisfied with the Sonitus EQ and compressor, and the E-Channel just knocks down every domino feature-wise. At the same time, the JJP Collection is slightly cheaper and I realize the Fairchild and Pultecs probably have a better sound (assuming the emus are accurate).

I don't really want to spend $40 on an iLok just so I can try the demos, but that may be what I have to do. I probably will buy one of them, so I guess I might as well.

Thanks for the info, droddey. Could you maybe be more specific about what (your opinion) the "SSL sound" is, and what it's good for? Rock, I'm guessing? What about the buss compressor? Any good?

As for the API, what am I getting out of having three separate EQs? I have a feeling I could end up bogged down in the problem of having too many options, and I really need a good buss compressor, which is why I'm leaning toward the JJP if I don't go with the SSL.

ORIGINAL: AJ_0000

Thanks for the info, droddey. Could you maybe be more specific about what (your opinion) the "SSL sound" is, and what it's good for? Rock, I'm guessing? What about the buss compressor? Any good?

It's got a more pronounce high end for one thing. From my explorations, it would appear that, in order to model the sound of the SSL desk, that they built in a high end boost into the channels and EQ. The channels only provide two attack options, one is hyper fast and the other is longer though I forget the exact time, so you either get a limiter speed attack that gets rid of all transients, or one that includes quite a bit of transients and nothing in between really.

Certainly it would be good for rock, especially rock drums. The buss compressor seems to be quite nice. I've been using the SSL channels and EQ on my drum processing and get quite good results wiht it, though on various tracks I'll often use RenComp/RenEQ instead, to get more flexibiltiy on attack settings or for opto compression mode, which often sounds really nice on room mics or on a parallel comp bus or on the tom directs.

I haven't really used it for much else besides drums, though I use the bus comp on my master buss since I don't have the API or Fairchild, which I'd probably use instead if I had them.

As for the API, what am I getting out of having three separate EQs? I have a feeling I could end up bogged down in the problem of having too many options, and I really need a good buss compressor, which is why I'm leaning toward the JJP if I don't go with the SSL.

I wouldn't worry about too many options. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. And those API EQs sound REALLY good. And the API compressor is much more flexible and sounds great (and it comes in stereo and mono versions I think.)

In the end, no matter which one you buy, you are going to eventually want the others I'm sure. But, to me, the API would be the most widely applicable and the one I'd use the most if I had all three I think. Though it would be nice to have that Fairchild compressor for the master buss or vocals and other things.

OK, so I downloaded Waves V6 and installed the SSL, API, V-Series and JJP bundles. I just pulled up a project, dumped all the EQ and compression, and replaced everything with SSL G-Channels. I guess there is no substitute for hearing it yourself. I now know exactly what you all meant. It's a recognizable sound, definitely solid state, definitely 80s-sounding.

It seems to work best on drums (I think my Phil Collins reference was right) and heavy, distorted guitars. The sound it gives those is awesome. Brutal. I'm not sure I like it as much on synths. The compressor is pretty crazy too. Have to be careful with it.

I'm going to try the others a little later. These are definitely quality plug-ins. It's probably going to be a tough decision.

In case anyone's interested, I thought I would report back now that I've done some extensive demo-ing. For people that are big on getting a warm analog sound in the digital realm, the JJP Fairchild/Pultecs and the V-Series (Neve) could be exactly what they're looking for. A lot of plug-ins that attempt to get that sound end up being distorted and "low-fi" sounding, and ruin the top end. These don't. They're extremely good at what they're trying to do. For me they're a little more old school than what I'm looking for, but for some they could be the "holy grail". The API stuff is interesting. It has a really good interface and good controls. It's more of a crisp, punchy sound than the previous two I mentioned. The one downside is that if you have multiple instances running with analog emulation, they start to add up to noticeable hiss. That's what you get for absolute realism, I guess. They're all good plug-ins, and it ultimately comes down to a matter of taste. If I get one of these, I'm probably going to get the SSL bundle. There's something about the sound that fits what I'm looking for. More so than any of the others, when you construct a "virtual console" inside Sonar and run the whole mix through it like you would in on the physical board, the result is solid, balanced, glued together and all-around professional-sounding. A lot of people use the word "sheen" to describe it, but I would put it more that it takes all of the wide variety of sounds you have recorded and tames them down into the right form, with a result that sounds very musical. The kind of thing good analog circuitry does that digital doesn't.

All of them seem to have a slight compromise on the absolute clarity of digital (with the V-Series being the most and the SSL being the least), which I guess should be expected. You can also get a very good mix within Sonar without any analog emulation, so I'm still debating whether to get it. I can't argue with the fact that using the SSL just sounds good, so I probably will. These plug-ins are not cheap though, so I'm trying to talk myself out of it.

I haven't tried that, but I will. I guess it kind of seems like it defeats the purpose of using it, but it is worth a listen. I'm talking about a very subtle effect when it comes to the SSL, anyway. And a little bit of "smearing" can be good if it's the right kind.

ORIGINAL: Jim Roseberry

Hi AJ,


Best thing to do would be to download the demos of each of these bundles.
They're all excellent plugins with various strengths...
In a perfect world... you'd want all three bundles. :-)
In particular, I like the SSL Channel, Pultec EQ, and API compressor.

I drive my vocals through the SSL compressor into the Pultec or Pultec Pro.
I use to use the LA2A but find the SSL to be more to my liking at this present stage. I don't use the channel much. I have never used presets until I got the SSL series. I particular like the snare ones as a good starting point and overheads.

I personally hate the SSL waves package. You're better off with the JJP collection or mercury

Uhhh... the Mercury bundle is ~$7000.

Jumping on this late ... I have Gold and SSL .... loved the SSL so far. Just ordered JJP and looking forward to it.