the SSL wins with the UI design, imo. it's so easy to read. the UAD is almost impossible for me to see what's what. it's too cramped and there's too much text. i agree that it sounds great though. i can only run about 10 instances, so i have to be choosy about where i put them, but you really do get that SSL sonic footprint. i'll use them on smaller projects. it's the SSL version for me day to day. i can run it on every single channel and have my midi controller mapped to the parameters. superfast workflow. great and very thorough analysis, thank you!
Thanks for checking it out! Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully UA keeps improving their user workflow experience. And hopefully once this one moves to the Spark platform it is more cpu efficient. Their Neve 1073 emulation certainly is.
@@mr_bradsmith yes, that's what i'm hoping, but i still don't know if i'll actually make the switch, due to the horrible UI. the spark versions are at least a bit bigger!
I am curious if the spark versions will eventually be supported on Softube's Console 1 platform. That would greatly increase the workflow, but still wouldn't be as flexible as the SSL.
Once the UAD SSL goes native (soon hopefully!), I won't look anywhere else - I love the glue that it gave to the mixes you played. The SSL version is also superb - can't lose really
There’s something about the UAD version’s sound that the others can’t beat. Very tight and punchy. The others just feel more loose and open frequency-wise. It’s like with the UAD SSL all the elements fit together well like puzzle pieces.
Agreed. Sonically UAD comes out on top, but when it comes down to workflow and DSP it really comes in last. The incredible and scary part is the UAD emulation is 7 or 8 years old and is still the front runner!
Good video but using the same settings might give the wrong impression as the eq frequency points might not be in the same place. Fwiw I did get a perfect eq null out of the SSL 4K and the Waves EV2 but not on the same numerical settings. The saturation on both is slightly different but the eq settings can be nulled.
Definitely. As I mentioned, there's going to be some differences between the emulations and the settings may not be playing to the strengths of a certain plugin. My hope is to be able to hear through those things and get a sense of the vibe and feel of the emulations. Thanks for checking out the video. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great side-by-side comparison! Well, the UAD is now native! I think that may be pushing it over the SSL 4KE based on your final thoughts? Although the UAD was a bit "thinner" as you said, the 4KE was scooped; so midrange was a bit lacking and the bottom-end was more apparent. Yes I heard that too, and I was listening on Auratones of all speakers! If you were to boost up the bottom-end in the UAD, just a touch to match, then I think that would have been the best, overall package and presentation.
Glad you like the comparison! Thank you! Definitely excited to have the UAD native now. And with sidechain abilities no less! I'm already reaching for it over the SSL 4KE!
I'd be REALLY interested to hear the same comparison with the CLA Mixhub. In my testing it was extremely close to the SSL 4ke.. be keen to hear your thoughts!
I've tried countless times to use SSL channel emulations but I am ALWAYS going back to the virtual mix rack by Slate. So versatile and has some great sounds / tones / tools all in one.
I've actually been re-introducing myself to the Slate plug-ins recently now that it's included in the SSL subscription. Lots of great stuff in there. VMR was definitely ahead of the curve when it came out and fun to play with for sure! Do you have a starting point? Or just load up a blank rack?
Brainworx definitely makes some great emulations. And I love the workflow on their plugins. Certainly used the J a lot when it came out. But sonically, to me, the closest to the hardware is UAD. I did do a comparison including Brainworx a year and a bit a go if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/mVkRpOpZUgw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=DHEBWjnQI2tuWkUy Thanks for checking out the video!
@@mr_bradsmith I understand but the UAD litterally have not jitter and not left/right tolerance modelling, which make the 3D sound of a console, try summing a mix with the brainworx, put it on every channel and hit the all channel random and youll see. Can't do any summing with the UAD cause every instance have the same EQ, same THD, same phase, same everything.
@@DarkTrapStudio I've used the brainworx plugins extensively. Across lots of mixes, as you've mentioned. And TMT definitely adds vibe and dimension and some non-linearity. TMT is a great feature for sure. And as I mentioned, the workflow is great. But sonically the eq, compression, and saturation just don't stand up for me in comparison to what UAD and SSL are putting out. And to me that outweighs what TMT brings to the table. Also, the bx consoles aren't oversampled and or don't have the ability to oversample, which leaves them feeling a bit thin to me in comparison. That said, great plugins and would have no hesitation reaching for them if SSL or UAD wasn't an option.
the SSL wins with the UI design, imo. it's so easy to read. the UAD is almost impossible for me to see what's what. it's too cramped and there's too much text. i agree that it sounds great though. i can only run about 10 instances, so i have to be choosy about where i put them, but you really do get that SSL sonic footprint. i'll use them on smaller projects. it's the SSL version for me day to day. i can run it on every single channel and have my midi controller mapped to the parameters. superfast workflow. great and very thorough analysis, thank you!
Thanks for checking it out! Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully UA keeps improving their user workflow experience. And hopefully once this one moves to the Spark platform it is more cpu efficient. Their Neve 1073 emulation certainly is.
@@mr_bradsmith yes, that's what i'm hoping, but i still don't know if i'll actually make the switch, due to the horrible UI. the spark versions are at least a bit bigger!
I am curious if the spark versions will eventually be supported on Softube's Console 1 platform. That would greatly increase the workflow, but still wouldn't be as flexible as the SSL.
Once the UAD SSL goes native (soon hopefully!), I won't look anywhere else - I love the glue that it gave to the mixes you played. The SSL version is also superb - can't lose really
Agreed! Can’t really lose!
I hope UAD will make ssl native. I wait forward
UAD SSL 4000 all the way !!! ... and now native
it's native now W
There’s something about the UAD version’s sound that the others can’t beat. Very tight and punchy. The others just feel more loose and open frequency-wise. It’s like with the UAD SSL all the elements fit together well like puzzle pieces.
Agreed. Sonically UAD comes out on top, but when it comes down to workflow and DSP it really comes in last. The incredible and scary part is the UAD emulation is 7 or 8 years old and is still the front runner!
Great video Brad. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Just by reading through the comment section shows me that there’s no right ssl emulation plugin to chose from. It’s all about preference.
Totally. It ultimately comes down to preference.
Never forget you can take anyone of these plugins and make an amazing mix.
Completely agree!
Good video but using the same settings might give the wrong impression as the eq frequency points might not be in the same place. Fwiw I did get a perfect eq null out of the SSL 4K and the Waves EV2 but not on the same numerical settings. The saturation on both is slightly different but the eq settings can be nulled.
Definitely. As I mentioned, there's going to be some differences between the emulations and the settings may not be playing to the strengths of a certain plugin. My hope is to be able to hear through those things and get a sense of the vibe and feel of the emulations. Thanks for checking out the video. Glad you enjoyed it!
Great side-by-side comparison! Well, the UAD is now native! I think that may be pushing it over the SSL 4KE based on your final thoughts? Although the UAD was a bit "thinner" as you said, the 4KE was scooped; so midrange was a bit lacking and the bottom-end was more apparent. Yes I heard that too, and I was listening on Auratones of all speakers! If you were to boost up the bottom-end in the UAD, just a touch to match, then I think that would have been the best, overall package and presentation.
Glad you like the comparison! Thank you! Definitely excited to have the UAD native now. And with sidechain abilities no less! I'm already reaching for it over the SSL 4KE!
I'd be REALLY interested to hear the same comparison with the CLA Mixhub. In my testing it was extremely close to the SSL 4ke.. be keen to hear your thoughts!
Maybe they’ll be another round! It’s on the list.
Nice SSL plugin comparison video. Thanks. UAD SSL sounds excellent.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for checking it out!
Please UAD make the SSL native!! i think it sounded the best btw
Fingers crossed UAD does that soon!
They did!
Thank you!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank you!!! Grateful for the motivation. Hope you enjoy it!
@@mr_bradsmith don't mention it. I really dig your content! I definitely will. Cheers!
I think best SSL 4K E
🤘💀🍻🔥🙏
The EV2 seemed to have a unique gating characteristic when I tried it. May have just been a fluke of how I set it at the time.
I've tried countless times to use SSL channel emulations but I am ALWAYS going back to the virtual mix rack by Slate. So versatile and has some great sounds / tones / tools all in one.
I've actually been re-introducing myself to the Slate plug-ins recently now that it's included in the SSL subscription. Lots of great stuff in there. VMR was definitely ahead of the curve when it came out and fun to play with for sure! Do you have a starting point? Or just load up a blank rack?
I have my own preset racks for things I am looking to do. Vocals, general elements, bass, kick, etc. It's amazing man, honestly. @@mr_bradsmith
Hey! The number of views on this video is: 4K.
Brainworx one is the best. Proven scientificly more than once in others videos. (At least the most close to the hardware)
Brainworx definitely makes some great emulations. And I love the workflow on their plugins. Certainly used the J a lot when it came out. But sonically, to me, the closest to the hardware is UAD. I did do a comparison including Brainworx a year and a bit a go if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/mVkRpOpZUgw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=DHEBWjnQI2tuWkUy
Thanks for checking out the video!
@@mr_bradsmith I understand but the UAD litterally have not jitter and not left/right tolerance modelling, which make the 3D sound of a console, try summing a mix with the brainworx, put it on every channel and hit the all channel random and youll see. Can't do any summing with the UAD cause every instance have the same EQ, same THD, same phase, same everything.
@@DarkTrapStudio I've used the brainworx plugins extensively. Across lots of mixes, as you've mentioned. And TMT definitely adds vibe and dimension and some non-linearity. TMT is a great feature for sure. And as I mentioned, the workflow is great. But sonically the eq, compression, and saturation just don't stand up for me in comparison to what UAD and SSL are putting out. And to me that outweighs what TMT brings to the table. Also, the bx consoles aren't oversampled and or don't have the ability to oversample, which leaves them feeling a bit thin to me in comparison. That said, great plugins and would have no hesitation reaching for them if SSL or UAD wasn't an option.
@@mr_bradsmithThanks I will look into it
Sounds like most of the work was done on the vocals and guitars. The bass and especially the kick weren’t punchy and lost in the mix.
😏🍿🥤