Waves SSL Vs. Rennaissance Compressor

Okay, so I just spent this last week mixing with some of Waves SSL Plugs using their 7 day demonstration period. The main reason that I was trying out these plugs was to see if I could see what the hype was about the "SSL sound." I'll be first to admit that I have never worked on an SSL console, so I am just not familiar with the SSL sound. I usually use the Renaissance Compressor on the Master Bus, but I was especially excited to be able to use the SSL Stereo Compressor. You know, I just don't see it. I A/B'd between the Renaissance Compressor and the SSL Master Bus Compressor with the same settings and I could not hear much (if any) difference. Both made the mix glue well together for me, and both made the mix sound more full and exciting. Next, I tried the SSL Channel Strip on a few tracks. I usually use the Renaissance plugs on the tracks including the EQ's and Compressors. I also like to switch to the Renn Axe here and their for guitars. Again, I just couldn't hear much of a difference between the Renaissance stuff and the SSL Stuff. I was hoping to find something that would get me excited about getting the plugs, but I never found it.

I guess I just feel like I am missing something here. Can anybody help clarify what the difference should sound like? I heard a huge difference with my mixes when I switched to Wave plug-ins platinum bundle, especially using the Renaissance Plugs. But I am just not getting what is so special about the SSL Plugs. If I was to do a mix, one with the Renaissance Compressor and one with the SSL Compressor, do any of you think you could really tell which mix used which? What would you listen for? I just wonder sometimes if it is more of a psychological thing for most people.

dizz, i have both of those. If you did a blind test, i would not be able to tell the difference.
Cj

I appreciate your honesty. It makes me feel somewhat good to know that it isn't just me that doesn't hear much of a difference. Posting this thread is actually real humbling for me because I feel like I should be able to hear a difference and I just don't. It makes me wonder if the Renaissance Compressor was originally designed to sound like an SSL compressor to some degree.

One thing that I did learn while using these plug-ins is why Charles Dye mixes the way he does. I transferred all of his setting to Sonar. I find that the settings he uses with the Renaissance Plugs (which I use as a starting point) reflect the choices one would make with SSL Controls. It gave me a little bit of an a-ha moment when I realized this.

Ognis,

You are exactly right on this. I read your one of your posts last week where you said that you felt that the SSL Bundle just squashed everything. I was feeling the same way at first until I also realized that the input signal needed to be adjusted so that the max compression I ever wanted on the master bus from the SSL compressor was about 4 db's of compression on the loudest parts of the song. Even then it was too much for my taste at times. Which actually makes me like the Renaissance Compressor a little better in that regard.

Hi Dizzi,
I too have tried both, the SSL and the Rennaissance. I can see why Waves are behind those two product because i too find that they sound very alike. I am not a big fan of Renaissance EQ and Comp, and i am not a big fan of SSL EQ and Comp neither...exept on drums. Rcomp on a track by track basis and the SSL Gcomp on the Drum Buss. For me that's about as far as it goes for those two product. Like blueswan said if hadn't a/b with other stuff i would probably like them cause they do a god job, it's just that some other products ( to my ears ) are doing a better one.

Peace

-Alxi-

Ive been messing with the elemental audio plug on my master bus, the Neodynium (compressors) and the finis limiters. There Awsome.
Cj

Yes, it can be difficult to tell the differences in compressors. Both RComp and Waves SSL are master bus worthy compressors. Another thing that good master buss compressors have in common is that they sound best when they're barely working (1-3 dB max).

Renaissance is what i use almost all of the time on tracks and the master bus, and I have both the Renaissance and SSL packages.