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Id love to see a review of the Transfomer pluging by SSL. And how it might compare to something like the P42 But you are probably already sick of reviewing SSL
Why would you compare it to something else if this is supposed to be a comparison between the hw and their plug-in counterpart made by the same company?
Great video. Since this plugin just went on sale I was looking for information and I'm glad I found this channel. I agree 100%. The hardware sounds great. The plugin is well... let's just say that there's no contest between the two. You were spot-on when saying it takes the life out of the mix. Thanks for a well put together and honest review!.
I like the plugin, I tried it and it sounds very good, if you activate the auto gain, it raises a very soft top that sounds very good. the hardware will always win, starting from the premise that the vst is a copy.
Great, another versus could be the Arturia 1176 vs your Stam, I did a versus with a hardware on a bass and I got the "same sound" (subjectively), I love that plugin, cheers bro!
Gees the difference is crazy. At 5:17 you say "The hardware keeps the bandwidth". Yes absolutely. it feels like the hardware is taming with a spectral dynamic behavior while keeping the structure of the high end, vs the plugin, which as you said, could be likened to be using a slope. Day and night difference.
Great series, thanks. Pretty interesting take-home results overall, if you ask me, but I'm not totally shocked. The plugins certainly perform honest approximations of the hardware, which are likely quite worth it to people who want to try them out or forgo spending the big money altogether. But, yeah, we old analog heads have been saying for decades that there's no substitute. Still good news for people who have less money to spend is that they're closer than ever. But often times in life you get what you pay for. Cheers.
However, these are the MAKERS of the hardware doing their own plugins. So if SSL itself cannot 100% nail it - it tells you how close Plugin Technology is to the analog counterpart.
@@massivebeatzz Yes, the makers of the hardware also make their own plugins, but there are inherently fundamental differences in the circuitry (i.e., the physics of the acoustic signal) that they can't ever get around when trying to replicate in digital what's been done so well in analog. What's amazing to me is that they get as close as they do. And at great savings for the consumer. It wasn't always like this.
In most of these tests the big thing that I notice is that from neutral, when you put the hardware in things feel similar but better, where as the plugins sound drastically different. It seems like they would be better suited to mixing into instead of for mastering. I expect in this example the hardware is doing less compression but a ton more saturation. Thanks for this series David, it's been pretty eye opening.
I also like a lot that HF Comp on the hardware. Overall, I love the SSL Fusion hardware, that was the first piece of hardware i bought and i'm still very happy with. On that HF Comp plugin, I felt the stereo image get lost a bit, maybe I've been fooled by the fact the plugin chop more than the hardware, but to me, at same settings, that was very obvious. A full hardware vs all plugin recap would be nice! Same settings, the difference will be big all linked together. Also talking about the transformer that also has its own plugin (I think). Thanks David for this series, it was very nice and clear! Greetings.
Does anyone know WHY the plugins "can't" fully copy the hardware? Is it a coding issue or that coding just can't duplicate the physics of electronics? My guess is the latter...? Cheers
thanks for your videos and channel, truly one of the great sources on youtube. keep on going! it sounds, and looks from your tests here there is just about a 3dB difference in gain stage between the units. wondering if you lower input trim 3dB or use auto gain with no input trim on the plugin how that goes?
Yes the complete chain of the Fusion vs the plugins would be nice as final chapter but maybe one section in the comparison without the Vintage drive otherwise you can smoke the plugins even now 😆 And for more Hardware Vs Plugins comparisons the Pulsar Massive EQ would be interesting (Massive Passive) or some Softube Comps like the Tube-Tech CL 1B MKII or the SSL Bus Comp Plugin
@MixbusTV thanks for the videos - it don’t change my mind : still happy to own a analog Fusion. Compressor Question: if you need to name one in case of mastering: which of ur stereo comps you would say is the one with the less color and ur go to comp for mastering ? I guess I know the answer but not 💯 sure :) . Have a great weekend and all who don’t subscribe David: do it now …
Less color? hard battle between the NGbus and the Xpressor. The NG can sound pretty clean if you don't use any of the color options, but you still have the action of it even tho' if you use 1.5 ration that's 100% mastering territory and curve. The Xpressor is also a very good contender, it's so incredibly tweakable that it's hard to feel like "no this doesn't work" and it's arguably even more transparent than the NG
I just want to mention that the plugin has a mix button and you can use it to reduce the effect. If you look at it from this side, the effect may be stronger than with the hardware, but by being able to mix in the effect you may have even more options than compared to the hardware :)
@@mixbustv because the point is not about to prove anything about plugin vs hardware, but being able to achieve a sound that is in you head in the first place.
Love your videos and the time you take to show us this gear! Question: Do you find the HF compressor on the Fusion to be comparable to a Maselec MPL-2 in terms of smoothness and transparency?
@@mixbustv Ok, I understand. Tks! What do you think about the plugin? Maybe you could do a video about it, not necessarily a comparison to the hardware.
Thanks David...nice video series. Saved me some cash not picking up the plugin. Fusion is still a pass from me. That Black Box though, has me intrigued as I'm looking to add a hardware saturation unit. Vertigo VSM-2 is on my radar as well. Have you used the Vertigo VSM-2 plugin vs the Black Box at all?
@@cal1music65 press and hold one of the buttons, it turns white and gives you the Phil Collins in the air tonight gated reverb. Details in the instruction manual.
The plugin really lacks life in comparison, it being duller I could hear just listening to this video on my phone quite easily. I guess it would be a bad business move to make the plug-ins the same, but the obvious difference here is what I more prefer in analog, plug-ins frequently are always dull in comparison, also always also destructive in operation… I don’t know how to explain it, but analog seems to have the input source with the processing adding to it but digital seems to take over the source material. I always find myself vastly more reserved with plug-ins… In the past I would have got the mix working just right but there was life missing from it and turning off the plug-ins would ruin the perfectly controlled song but brought the life back and ever since then I’ve never found a full way around it… just each plug-ins added to a track better be sure. As plug-ins have developed this issue has been getting less of a problem more and more. The difference in this plugin to the hardware just reminded me of this plight. Definitely this issue is worse with comparison and saturation and that’s then reflected perfectly in this series… mid/side processing also… again, reflected quite well in this series again. The thing with plug-ins is being able to add extra controls, so as they keep developing it will definitely one day reach a even more even footing.
they don't sound the same..sorry I been using hardware lately and for the most part I hate I spent so much so much money on plug- in. There's only a few plug-ins that makes the cut PSP, softube. some do better than others they just haven't gotten all the way there yet.
Says the dj. Is an emulation by the same company right? So why woulnd't that be the case. But let's do this: bet $1000 you can make it sound the same on 5 different settings and song, you set it up the way you want it, it's got few knobs so even a dj can do it. Because you do have a hw fusion right? Do that and I'll give you $1K, if you lose you give it to me and then stfu after it
The plugin is absolute garbage. Takes life away. Terrible form from SSL for this kind of money. The whole set of plugs just feels like a cash grab and nothing else.... As for the other plugs... Distressors! Slate, T.Racks ad UAD. Steven Slate was bragging its a 100% match ;]
God sake lol. What is the plugin doing exactly 😂 Sounds like ass. Sounds like a shelf eq reduction. And if you dial the threshold back to prevent the highs being dulled, you get less compression. Meanwhile the hardware compresses and doesnt lose the high end. This is why hardware vs plugin comparisons are important to give the industry a kick up the backside. I wonder though, do you get a colour from running the audio through the hardware unit ? Maybe say with the components engaged but not doing anything. This is something you couldn't get with the plugins.
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Id love to see a review of the Transfomer pluging by SSL. And how it might compare to something like the P42 But you are probably already sick of reviewing SSL
I've compared this with the TDR Limiter 6GE HF limiter, and I go with TDR every time over the SSL.
Why would you compare it to something else if this is supposed to be a comparison between the hw and their plug-in counterpart made by the same company?
@@mixbustv Why wouldn't I if I have both plugins and want to decide what works best for me?
Great video. Since this plugin just went on sale I was looking for information and I'm glad I found this channel. I agree 100%. The hardware sounds great. The plugin is well... let's just say that there's no contest between the two. You were spot-on when saying it takes the life out of the mix.
Thanks for a well put together and honest review!.
I like the plugin, I tried it and it sounds very good, if you activate the auto gain, it raises a very soft top that sounds very good. the hardware will always win, starting from the premise that the vst is a copy.
the word plugin is spelled wrong in your thumbnail. looks really funny.
Great, another versus could be the Arturia 1176 vs your Stam, I did a versus with a hardware on a bass and I got the "same sound" (subjectively), I love that plugin, cheers bro!
Gees the difference is crazy. At 5:17 you say "The hardware keeps the bandwidth". Yes absolutely. it feels like the hardware is taming with a spectral dynamic behavior while keeping the structure of the high end, vs the plugin, which as you said, could be likened to be using a slope. Day and night difference.
Great series, thanks. Pretty interesting take-home results overall, if you ask me, but I'm not totally shocked. The plugins certainly perform honest approximations of the hardware, which are likely quite worth it to people who want to try them out or forgo spending the big money altogether. But, yeah, we old analog heads have been saying for decades that there's no substitute. Still good news for people who have less money to spend is that they're closer than ever. But often times in life you get what you pay for. Cheers.
🙏🙏
However, these are the MAKERS of the hardware doing their own plugins. So if SSL itself cannot 100% nail it - it tells you how close Plugin Technology is to the analog counterpart.
@@massivebeatzz Yes, the makers of the hardware also make their own plugins, but there are inherently fundamental differences in the circuitry (i.e., the physics of the acoustic signal) that they can't ever get around when trying to replicate in digital what's been done so well in analog. What's amazing to me is that they get as close as they do. And at great savings for the consumer. It wasn't always like this.
In most of these tests the big thing that I notice is that from neutral, when you put the hardware in things feel similar but better, where as the plugins sound drastically different. It seems like they would be better suited to mixing into instead of for mastering. I expect in this example the hardware is doing less compression but a ton more saturation.
Thanks for this series David, it's been pretty eye opening.
I've been waiting for G buss compressor 2 and SSL channel comparison videos.
It will be very cool to see another ssl plug-ins. Btw thanks for these series.
You mean serious
Thanks David for this series...like you, I was expecting this one be similar but it was just too different...
I also like a lot that HF Comp on the hardware. Overall, I love the SSL Fusion hardware, that was the first piece of hardware i bought and i'm still very happy with.
On that HF Comp plugin, I felt the stereo image get lost a bit, maybe I've been fooled by the fact the plugin chop more than the hardware, but to me, at same settings, that was very obvious.
A full hardware vs all plugin recap would be nice! Same settings, the difference will be big all linked together. Also talking about the transformer that also has its own plugin (I think).
Thanks David for this series, it was very nice and clear!
Greetings.
Great vid! Full chain comparasion - can't wait to hear it :)
Apparently engaging the Auto Gain button, keeps the compressed frequencies more intact.
I hope you do a review of the SSL THE BUS + Compressor. Id like a comparison with the SSL 500 Series G-Comp Bus Compressor.
Does anyone know WHY the plugins "can't" fully copy the hardware? Is it a coding issue or that coding just can't duplicate the physics of electronics? My guess is the latter...? Cheers
All of it, this is good summary article about it: blog.mixanalog.com/plugins-why-analog-still-sounds-better
thanks for your videos and channel, truly one of the great sources on youtube. keep on going!
it sounds, and looks from your tests here there is just about a 3dB difference in gain stage between the units. wondering if you lower input trim 3dB or use auto gain with no input trim on the plugin how that goes?
Yes the complete chain of the Fusion vs the plugins would be nice as final chapter but maybe one section in the comparison without the Vintage drive otherwise you can smoke the plugins even now 😆
And for more Hardware Vs Plugins comparisons the Pulsar Massive EQ would be interesting (Massive Passive) or some Softube Comps like the Tube-Tech CL 1B MKII or the SSL Bus Comp Plugin
Another great comparison. the attack characteristic of the plugin is really different... hardware easily wins here
@MixbusTV thanks for the videos - it don’t change my mind : still happy to own a analog Fusion.
Compressor Question: if you need to name one in case of mastering: which of ur stereo comps you would say is the one with the less color and ur go to comp for mastering ? I guess I know the answer but not 💯 sure :) . Have a great weekend and all who don’t subscribe David: do it now …
Less color? hard battle between the NGbus and the Xpressor. The NG can sound pretty clean if you don't use any of the color options, but you still have the action of it even tho' if you use 1.5 ration that's 100% mastering territory and curve. The Xpressor is also a very good contender, it's so incredibly tweakable that it's hard to feel like "no this doesn't work" and it's arguably even more transparent than the NG
Hardware sounds brighter yet less harsh at the same time
I kinda liked the aggressive pushing on the plugin. But that's maybe because I'm on pretty bad in ear headphones right now 🤣
I just want to mention that the plugin has a mix button and you can use it to reduce the effect. If you look at it from this side, the effect may be stronger than with the hardware, but by being able to mix in the effect you may have even more options than compared to the hardware :)
Why would that be the case?
@@mixbustv because the point is not about to prove anything about plugin vs hardware, but being able to achieve a sound that is in you head in the first place.
Love your videos and the time you take to show us this gear! Question: Do you find the HF compressor on the Fusion to be comparable to a Maselec MPL-2 in terms of smoothness and transparency?
To be honest, I couldn't justify the money for the MPL-2, if I want more precision and detailed control I go with the WEISS Deesser
Hi David, Thanks for this helpful video series! I would be amazing if you make one more with the Fusion Transformer too! Thanks again!
The transformer on the fusion is barely audible
@@mixbustv Ok, I understand. Tks! What do you think about the plugin? Maybe you could do a video about it, not necessarily a comparison to the hardware.
I think the plugin is actually more useful than the xformer on the hardware, I don't know the price of it tho', I wouldn't pay more than $$40 for it
@@mixbustv It cost $199, I'll wait until it's on sale!! Thanks a lot for your answer.
Thanks for this great video David! Any thoughts on SSL Native Drumstrip?
I was waiting to watch the SSL Transformer plugin! I know the hardware its only 1 botton :( anyway thanks for this great channel!!!!
The xformer on the hw is barely audible
The screen shot for the thumbnail of the video says “pluing” instead of plugin. Great video as always!
I know, it gets people to comment the thumb has a spelling mistake, see? It works
Could it be that the hardware isn't 100% Wet (by design) so it sounds more transparent?
whoa nelly look at that thumbnail
Hi David, have you ever tested the Acustica Audio version of Fusion? I would be very curious to see how that one keeps up with original
Thanks David...nice video series. Saved me some cash not picking up the plugin. Fusion is still a pass from me. That Black Box though, has me intrigued as I'm looking to add a hardware saturation unit. Vertigo VSM-2 is on my radar as well. Have you used the Vertigo VSM-2 plugin vs the Black Box at all?
Plugin??? pass on both (and yes I have both)
I wonder if the plugin would sound better if over sampled.
These videos make me happy I bought the hardware. Any chance you could look at mid side mode and the secret gate reverb setting? Thanks David
what is the secret gate reverb setting? 😲
@@cal1music65 press and hold one of the buttons, it turns white and gives you the Phil Collins in the air tonight gated reverb. Details in the instruction manual.
At this point after assembling and using a bunch of plugins, I'd rather have the hardware at this point. Now paying for it all, that's the problem. 😁
Thanks!
Thank YOU Michael!
Also the stereo is fucked on the Plugin. Thanks for make me avoiding this. I would go for Soothe for a case like this.
The plugin really lacks life in comparison, it being duller I could hear just listening to this video on my phone quite easily.
I guess it would be a bad business move to make the plug-ins the same, but the obvious difference here is what I more prefer in analog, plug-ins frequently are always dull in comparison, also always also destructive in operation… I don’t know how to explain it, but analog seems to have the input source with the processing adding to it but digital seems to take over the source material.
I always find myself vastly more reserved with plug-ins… In the past I would have got the mix working just right but there was life missing from it and turning off the plug-ins would ruin the perfectly controlled song but brought the life back and ever since then I’ve never found a full way around it… just each plug-ins added to a track better be sure.
As plug-ins have developed this issue has been getting less of a problem more and more.
The difference in this plugin to the hardware just reminded me of this plight.
Definitely this issue is worse with comparison and saturation and that’s then reflected perfectly in this series… mid/side processing also… again, reflected quite well in this series again.
The thing with plug-ins is being able to add extra controls, so as they keep developing it will definitely one day reach a even more even footing.
The "business move" has no ground as another company could make it and absolutely not care about wether or not SSL sells hw
Could you please do a review on the new Pulsar Modular P565?
Maybe the new Lindell SBC (API 2500) Plugin?
Huge difference.. hmmm
But i still kinda like the plugin 🤔
Scratch that.. nahhh ain't getting it.
Makes the top end pump abit. I don't want my top to pump.
Nahh..
Nice Vid Thanks! My Unit just arrived 30 minutes ago, cant wait to hook it up tonight and do some test’s in my own Home Studio. Cheers
Let me know if u wanna trade it... I got a Nintendo w/ Super Mario Bros & Duck Hunt, Mike Tyson Punch-Out, Tecmo Bowl & Contra. Let ya boy kno...
@@DaMixWizard hahahaha actually very tempting! Let me think about it! Duck Hunt might does me want to trade! Cheers Bro
Yup, that's definitely not as sweet. An all-unit shootout vid would be cool, but I think we know how that would go after this series...
What is with the Secret Listen Bus Comp?
ruclips.net/video/Ebjq-ynWOV0/видео.html
they don't sound the same..sorry I been using hardware lately and for the most part I hate I spent so much so much money on plug- in. There's only a few plug-ins that makes the cut PSP, softube. some do better than others they just haven't gotten all the way there yet.
The Hardware is a beautiful thing David.
The plugin sounds darker
What ?? You can't just slap the same settings on both and expect that it sounds the same lmao
Says the dj. Is an emulation by the same company right? So why woulnd't that be the case. But let's do this: bet $1000 you can make it sound the same on 5 different settings and song, you set it up the way you want it, it's got few knobs so even a dj can do it. Because you do have a hw fusion right? Do that and I'll give you $1K, if you lose you give it to me and then stfu after it
Man... Honestly the plugins got annihilated lol
Thanks. I'll not buy the plugin, but save up for the HW.
The plugin is absolute garbage. Takes life away. Terrible form from SSL for this kind of money. The whole set of plugs just feels like a cash grab and nothing else.... As for the other plugs... Distressors! Slate, T.Racks ad UAD. Steven Slate was bragging its a 100% match ;]
No need for me to say it again . Well might as well . Hardware hands down .
God sake lol. What is the plugin doing exactly 😂 Sounds like ass. Sounds like a shelf eq reduction. And if you dial the threshold back to prevent the highs being dulled, you get less compression. Meanwhile the hardware compresses and doesnt lose the high end.
This is why hardware vs plugin comparisons are important to give the industry a kick up the backside.
I wonder though, do you get a colour from running the audio through the hardware unit ? Maybe say with the components engaged but not doing anything. This is something you couldn't get with the plugins.