Channel the ’80s. Obviously, one of the reasons for going with a set of processors like this is their. Fig 6 The Waves SSL G-Equalizer. The separate G-Equalizer plug-in, despite the name, is similar to the E-Channel EQ, with a slightly greater gain range than the E, and slightly different EQ curves. It's modeled on the rack-mount version of SSL's G 292, a different design than the E-Channel EQ (242) and G-Channel EQ (384) circuits.
The original SSL consoles were the sound of '80s & '90s pop and rock. The Waves SSL 4000 collection brings the 4000 E & G consoles to software and we've compiled 5 tips to help you get the most from i
The Waves SSL 4000 Collection is a faithful emulation of two classic SSL consoles from the ’80s—the 4000 E and 4000 G. The originals were responsible for the sound of countless recordings, with their distinctive EQ and dynamics sections lending that “sheen” that defined the sound of pop and rock tracks in the ’80s and ’90s.
Waves has modeled the complete channel strips from both the 4000 E and G series—which featured slightly different EQ characteristics—and the collection also provides a separate G-series EQ and the famous Buss Compressor from the G-Series center panel.
But—vintage pedigree aside—what do these processors offer over and above the many other EQ and dynamics plug-ins out there, including the ones that come with every DAW? Here are a few tips and suggestions for getting the most out of the SSL 4000 Collection.
1. Channel the ’80s
Obviously, one of the reasons for going with a set of processors like this is their ability to emulate the sound of the vintage gear they’re modeled on. In this case, that’s the sound of the console(s) probably used on more recordings throughout the ’80s and ’90s than any other single piece of gear. What gives both the originals and these models their particular quality? Most people would attribute the characteristic “SSL sound” to the EQ sections, primarily. Compared with the relatively broad, smooth curves of many competing products (like the classic Neve EQs), the SSL’s EQ—captured faithfully here—offers up the potential for an edgier response. Sharper curves and a wider “Q” (bandwidth) range let you dial up a bit more of the distinctive ’80s crispness and punch that characterizes the sound of so many recordings from that era. And the included dynamics section, with its variable attack and soft-knee response, provides a compression characteristic between the sound of vintage tube and FET units and the squash of modern devices.
2. Alphabet soup: A/B E & G
Waves Ssl 9000 Vs
But the 4000 Collection doesn’t just provide one sound. There are no less then three variations of the classic SSL EQ on tap here—the ones in the E-series and G-series channel strips, and the separate G-series EQ, which is based on a different circuit than either of the two versions included in the channel strips. Each has its own slightly different response. The E-series channels strip’s EQ was developed with the input of George Martin (how’s that for a pedigree); while similar in layout, the G-series channel strip EQ has a slight pre-boost dip and pre-cut rise—a response characteristic prized in the classic tube-era Pultec EQs—that distinguish it slightly from the E-series curves.
If you’re having trouble honing in on the best EQ settings, trying the same settings with both the E and G channel strips can offer a subtle but distinctly different tonal imprint, which can sometimes help nudge you in the right direction.
Audio Example 1—Acoustic Guitar 1) All EQs Bypassed, 2) E-Channel EQ, 3) G-Channel EQ with identical settings to the E-Channel in (2), to highlight the differences; 4) G-Channel EQ set to more or less match the tonal curve of the E-Channel:
3. Get that Analog edge
Download appium desktop for appium 1.7.1. All of the 4000 series plug-ins feature a switch simply labelled “Analog”.
Fig 4 The “Analog” switch in the various SSL 4000 Collection plug-ins.
This may seem like a throwaway—an extra effect on top of the modeled character—but it is, in fact, part of the key to that character. Java plugin 1.7.0_21 download for mac. While duplicating the curves of a particular EQ and the response of a specific compression circuit (like the ones in the original 4000 consoles) can go a long way to emulating the sound of the original gear, there’s more to it than that. The original analog components had a unique way of breaking up when driven, and those non-linearities (distortions to the layman) are a major contributor to the classic “sound” so sought after in models like these. While there may be situations where you just need the most neutral, transparent response possible, the point of collections like this is not neutrality, but color! Making sure this switch is on (it should be by default, but you never know) will insure that you’re getting all the analog “character” that makes these processors so distinctive, and so like the originals they’re based on.
4. Pump the drums
![Ssl Ssl](/uploads/1/1/8/8/118820465/695542909.jpg)
Compression has always been used in recording—originally it was meant to simply contain the dynamic range of music to fit into the limitations of traditional analog media (tape & vinyl). But talented and creative engineers started to use it as an effect, even as far back as the Beatles and other ’60s recordings. With dynamics on every channel of the classic SSL 4000-series consoles, compression really came into its own in that era, where it was used liberally on any channel that needed a little extra push. The SSL compressors—both the channel strip dynamics sections and the G-series Master Buss Compressor—helped to define the sound of the modern drum kit, with punchy compression on both individual drums, and on stereo overheads and drum masters.
For that kind of push, instantiating one of these channel strips on each track—kick, snare, toms—and possibly a G-series Buss Compressor on the Drum Master, can take a more traditional, laid-back drum sound, and both tighten it up and add a little bloom (ambient tail). Add a little of that characteristic crisp SSL EQ, and you’ve got that bigger-than-life ’80s drum sound you grew up with.
Audio Example 2—SSL 4000-series compression on drums: Bypassed (1st 4 bars); On:
5. Add the “Glue”
Of all the things the SSL 4000-series consoles are known for, one of the most famous is the ability of the G-series Master Bus Compressor—the stereo dynamics processor in that console’s center panel, strapped across the L/R output—to add what’s come to be known as “the Glue” to a finished mix.
Fig 5 The Waves SSL 4000 G-series Master Buss Compressor.
Long before people were routinely smashing the hell out of their mixes with digital brickwall limiting (in the never-ending “Loudness Wars” for greater level), engineers would take a more subtle approach when it came to the master stereo bus. A little gentle compression (a medium-low ratio, subtly applied), with the compression circuit that was built in to the 4000 G console, was renowned for adding that final touch that could make all the elements of a mix gel—providing the “glue” that would hold the mix together. This gave rise to its nickname (the “Glue”), which has become a catchphrase for that final bit of master bus processing that helps keep up a mix’s energy and “push”, but does so without robbing it of its musical dynamics and punch.
And nothing does a better job of this—in the opinion of a great many experienced engineers—than the SSL 4000 G Master Buss Compressor. Duplicating the response of the original’s twin-VCA design—along with the “Analog” characteristics of the actual hardware—insures that this version is capable of that same magic. Just strap it across the mix bus and take advantage of its unique properties. But—like with any dynamic processing—just be sure not to push too hard! As I said, a medium-low ratio and a gentle hand will be the ticket to get you where you want to go.
Audio Example 3—The “Glue”: The SSL Master Buss Compressor applied to a mix: Bypassed (4 bars); On (4 bars); Bypassed (4 bars); On (4 bars):
The Waves SSL 4000 Collection offers a comprehensive set of tools, not only for those used to working on the original, who want to recapture that experience, but also for newer engineers and mixers, who are looking for a bit of the magic that launched a thousand records. With a judicious touch, and a little creative experimentation, you too should be able to find ’80s Nirvana with this capable bundle.
For a limited time, the Wave SSL Collection is on sale for $299!
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Thank you thank you thank you. I almost cried when i re-did a mix with this plugin all over the tracks, just beyond imagination,
Though it was not possible to ' home studio' mix this quality. But this is it!! Thank you again you masters. Sound and music!TOP Channel strip
I use it on everything. It's now part of my mixing process and use on every mix. Great EQ, great overall sound. Very easy to operate, scalable interface and TMT is great for that 'console sound' on a mix.
A must have.I'm blown away again!
Like with console_n THIS is different and I really like all about it! I really do! Those bx_consoles and in particular the SSL E Channel are the best strip emulation plugins I've ever seen and heard! Very useful, very well thought through and great sounding. I love the saturation and harmonics that make all sound less sterile and like a 'real thing' actually. Best regards from Frankfurt am Main.Great Under Limited Resources
As a student working from a computer with limited resources to drive larger projects, the SSL 4000 E is the CPU-light Swiss Army knife I've been looking for. Brainworx has not only built a great sounding plugin but has also incorporated some nice-to-have features like the compressor's mix control, invertible expander/gate, TMT options, THD controls including the THD all knob, and V Gain controls. Even the user's manual is well laid out for quick access, something which is appreciated when I don't want to be fiddling through its pages instead of using the plugin. Overall, this plugin is great in sound, features, and usability, which is why I look forward to purchasing BX's SSL 9000 J in the future.Fantastic
Just the best plugin version of a SSL console. It works great and it sounds great too.My go to channel strip
I’ve been using the Waves E channel plugin since Waves 5.0 but this one.. oh this one! This one is the shnizzle with ice cream on top. I like the TMT feature and the UI is bigger and easier to see than the Waves one. I also own the genuine SSL E channelstrip but that’s in last place. Well, it took SSL YEARS to get it to work without crashing Pro Tools or corrupting session files so I’ve given upin them. I don’t even have it installed anymore. The Brainworx version has been rock solid and sounds great. Great job!SSL E Serious
This is the plugin I always wanted and needed to make my mixes really come to life. It's a one stop shop. I print all my tracks initially with a little outboard eq and compression. Then I treat my DAW like an SSL with one of these on each channel and one each bus. Nothing more. And yup..it works. I know the E series inside out and this plugin has it nailed enough. It may even be slightly better. No longer any need to smack any of the modules anymore , unless you want a broken screen.SSL 4000 E
Cool plugin. I compared it to waves 4000 E. I cant say one was better than the other because in my opinion they both have a 'sound'. I do dig PA 4000 E for the fact it seems way less CPU hungry than the waves and has more cool options to tweak a sound. Definitely a good one to have in the tool box especially for the sound and the light cpu usageSSL 4000 E..
Drums, drums, drums and more drums..
This is a great plug for drums.. all drums, any drums.
The EQ has a magic genie built in to it.. apparently.
The force is strong with this one!
Drum on!bx_console SSL 4000 E
Yes of course there are many good SSL E channel emulations out there. But none of them sounds as good, warm and 'analog' as the bx_console SSL 4000 E from Brainworx. Just try it out!
Waves Ssl 4000 Bundle
Reviews of
- Brainworx
- ★★★★★
- Officially approved by SOLID STATE LOGIC (SSL) - 72 channels of 4000E series, injected with patented Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT).
- Hardware Emulations
- TMT inside
Waves Ssl 4000 Manual
![Waves ssl 4000 collection review Waves ssl 4000 collection review](/uploads/1/1/8/8/118820465/267477782.jpg)
4.9 out of 5 stars
Waves Ssl 9000 V2
133 total reviews
Waves Ssl 4000 Collection Review
SSL 4000 E
Thank you thank you thank you. I almost cried when i re-did a mix with this plugin all over the tracks, just beyond imagination,
Though it was not possible to ' home studio' mix this quality.… Read More