Helpful Replyssl alpha vhd preamp

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
schwa
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 118
  • Joined: 2003/11/18 18:34:55
  • Location: Boston
  • Status: offline
2016/05/10 22:01:09 (permalink)

ssl alpha vhd preamp

I'm not sure if this is the proper forum, but here goes.
 
With SONAR Platinum and some Waves plugs I think I may be able to improve my input quality by introducing a nicer preamp.  I've been looking at a ssl alpha vhd, does anyone have experience with this preamp vs. the alternatives?

HP Envy 850, MOTU 424/2408, MIDI Express, NVidea GTX970, Project Studio 6 monitors, Mackie Control and Ext, Frontier Transport
Solid State Logic Alpha VHD, UA LA-610, DBX 566, TC M One-XL, POD XT, Roland XP-30
Shure KCM-44, SM-7, SM-81 (pair), SM-57
Martin D28 Marquis, Strats, LP's, Carr Mercury, and Marshall Amps
SONAR Platinum, Rapture Pro, Pro Channel Pack, Waves Gold, L3, L2, TH3 (Full), Amplitube 4
#1
List Solutions Only

3 Replies Related Threads
    AT
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 10654
    • Joined: 2004/01/09 10:42:46
    • Location: TeXaS
    • Status: offline
    Re: ssl alpha vhd preamp 2016/05/11 10:14:46 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby schwa 2016/05/11 22:21:46
    I almost bought one years ago from a studio friend.  Good kit.  I can't remember much about it except it sounded a lot like his SSL G, which is a good thing ;-)
     
    A good preamp can make a difference once you reach a certain level of hardware and craft, and SSL ain't no slouch.  The great thing about step-up hardware as opposed to built-in pres is running them hard.  Sound that would break-up an interface pre gets captured when the singer decides to belt out during a ballad - and that works and you aren't left with a crisped mess.  The SSL pre has the saturation button, I think, which makes it sound like an older pre, so you do have flexibility in the sound.  There are lots of other reasons.  However, a good pre ain't the answer to everything.  In general, the closer to the source (mic, for example), the greater the influence of the hardware.  A good pre will make your 57 sound better, but not like a condenser.  However, the same sub $100 MXL ribbon that I use on electric guitar sounded just as incredible on a trombone solo I recorded this weekend.  It was going through a RND portico II, a top-end pre.  So there are no rules, only guidelines.
     
    On the lower end, WARM audio and the Focusrite ISA One are both fine, professional preamps you can find for less than $500, while the RNP gets you two transformerless pres for the same cash.
     
     

    https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
    http://www.bnoir-film.com/  
     
    there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
    24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
    #2
    schwa
    Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 118
    • Joined: 2003/11/18 18:34:55
    • Location: Boston
    • Status: offline
    Re: ssl alpha vhd preamp 2016/05/11 22:13:53 (permalink)
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 
     
    I have some decent mics, oddly all Shure - SM7, KSM-44, SM-81(2), and think the preamps are the weak link in my chain right now.  I had been considering the ISA, but this SSL came up for sale locally at a good price.  I like that it has the saturation and can use the hi z input.  I thought about the RNP, but the form factor seems a bit awkward (which I suppose is part of the bargain).

    HP Envy 850, MOTU 424/2408, MIDI Express, NVidea GTX970, Project Studio 6 monitors, Mackie Control and Ext, Frontier Transport
    Solid State Logic Alpha VHD, UA LA-610, DBX 566, TC M One-XL, POD XT, Roland XP-30
    Shure KCM-44, SM-7, SM-81 (pair), SM-57
    Martin D28 Marquis, Strats, LP's, Carr Mercury, and Marshall Amps
    SONAR Platinum, Rapture Pro, Pro Channel Pack, Waves Gold, L3, L2, TH3 (Full), Amplitube 4
    #3
    AT
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 10654
    • Joined: 2004/01/09 10:42:46
    • Location: TeXaS
    • Status: offline
    Re: ssl alpha vhd preamp 2016/05/12 00:03:07 (permalink)
    If you can get a great price on the SSL that sounds like the deal.  If you trade it out later you probably won't lose money, tho it probably is a keeper.  One point about the ISA is it can use the transformer either inline with the mic or the DI, and you can use the DI as a second input as well as the mic pre.  A flexible little unit.
     
    @

    https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
    http://www.bnoir-film.com/  
     
    there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
    24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
    #4
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1