Wavws SSL Analog button

[knightsy]

What are everyone's impression of what this button does to the sound? Is it a kinda linear thing? Or can it be "driven" depending on the plugin settings?

It seems pretty damn subtle to me, I'm having trouble figuring out if it's doing anythng beneficial or not.

[Charles Dye]

Two great places to hear what it is doing is using the E-channel eq on cymbals. Apply a few db of hi's + hi-mids, then pop the switch in + out. Also try the same thing on lead vocals.

In both cases it adds a silky-velvety kinda soft fuzz in the hi's + hi mids. I love it on vocals, sounds really great. So, I leave it on. I usually don't like it on cymbals. Makes them sound less open. So, I leave it off there.

Is it linear? I don't believe so. I think you get more of the effect with the hotter you drive the plug.

[knightsy]

Interesting, thanks Charles. By driving, do you mean the input or the output? I can't get anywhere near my system at the moment to try this out for myself unfortunately!

[Fulcrum]

It sounds to me like two different flavors of pre-emphasis. It kind of gooses one section of high-mids while on, and another section of high-mids when off.

<<shrug>>

[Charles Dye]

Here's another test you can do to hear the driving of the analog circuit's saturation effect.

Start with E-Channel on an instrument like a clean gtr, or something that's got a clear tone + sustained notes.

Turn on the Analog Switch.

Bypass the eq, filters + dynamics.

Now, create 5 different presets:


With the In knob @ 0 dB + the Gain fader @ 0 dB.


With the In knob @ +4.5 dB + the Gain fader @ -4.5 dB.


With the In knob @ +9 dB + the Gain fader @ -9 dB.


With the In knob @ +14.5 dB + the Gain fader @ -14.5 dB.


With the In knob @ +18 dB + the Gain fader @ -18 dB.

Each of these is unity gain, with no processing coming from the plug other than the Analog circuit. Now, switch between the presets while listening to your clean gtr or other instrument.

I've done this b4 + u can clearly hear the sound of the saturation being driven harder + harder with each higher setting of the In knob.

Pleas tell us what you hear. Thanks.

http://www.waves.com/objects/Images/Screenshots/sshot_big_Echannel.jpg

[D.Michaels]

Hey Charles... Thanks man... I had the exact same kind of... Hu? about that damned analog button... Definetely going to try this. Damn this forum is awesome.:Thumbsup:

[u2bonoman]

Hi, I'm new here. Sorry to dig up a 2 year old thread, but I had a question. I'd like to use saturation on the masterbuss WHILE MIXING, and I've read that the the SSL analog button works just as well, sounds just as good as the AC1. I'm wondering which selection from the Waves SSL would be good for this app... and what might be the best settings?

[otek]

I'm wondering which selection from the Waves SSL would be good for this app... and what might be the best settings?

According to what Charles wrote previously, the "best setting" would be bypassing the eq and compressor but keep the analog button in, and experiment with how hard you drive the SSL's input to determine the proper level of saturation.


otek

[strangedays]

I always found it interesting the way waves approached their moddeling of the SSL stuff. The Duende (which of course is based on algorithms from their digital desks) focused more on the fundemental sound of the EQ or the compression. The Waves plugins is concerned with the saturation. Although the waves plugs were never quite as solid compaired to the duende (probably not something that really matters at the heart of things), it was nice that they emulated the saturation.

[tamasdragon]

I don't know if it's true, but read somewhere that the waves ssl analog button only adds some lowlevel whitenoise to the signal. Someone measured it.
Tamas Dragon

[Chris Lambrechts]

I don't know if it's true, but read somewhere that the waves ssl analog button only adds some lowlevel whitenoise to the signal. Someone measured it.
Tamas Dragon

Would make sense .... probably why they called it the 'analog' button as well. :)


Chris

[Bob Olhsson]

Since when did an SSL digital equalizer ever sound like an SSL analog equalizer?

I also can't think of one time when anybody said anything positive about the equalizers on an SSL digital console. The SSL analog equalizers get reviews ranging from "OK for a channel strip" to "forget it!"

[strangedays]

Interesting you mention it, ive heard many praise SSL. But it seams like anything that only some of the SSL stuff raved about.

I can't imagine how good it is to use, I liked the Duende and the Waves stuff, but to really be honest the plug ins in logic 8 can do similar things compared to the emulations I have heard.

[otek]

to really be honest the plug ins in logic 8 can do similar things compared to the emulations I have heard.

The differences between plugins are generally much smaller than between various hardware units.


otek

[AndyGallas]

an analog button on a plugin ...wow

[strangedays]

The differences between plugins are generally much smaller than between various hardware units.


otek

Given just how many plug ins there are, you'd have thought the opposite was true.

One other thing about plug ins, when they are cheap it seems worth it, but when you pay as much as you do for the waves stuff I almost want to invest in hardware just so I am not loosing money on aging technology. When a plug in pack is a few hundred quid its seems fine but some of the waves stuff gets close to a single hardware unit.

Yes you can use multiple plugs across the whole mix, so what, they are still only emulations. But then obviously they are are what some would want on a mix. Perhaps i have been lucky with logic 8 It does provide a lot for the money. Not trying to sound like a sales rep, but the plug ins in there do all the saturation I could need pretty much.

[otek]

Given just how many plug ins there are, you'd have thought the opposite was true.

Lots of people do think that, and proceed to acquire six or seven different compressors, convinced they cannot mix properly without them.


otek

[Brendo]

Actually, compressors is about the only place where I *can* hear real, appreciable differences between plugins. However, I'm not lining up to get any new ones any time soon.

[MacGregor]

The differences between plugins are generally much smaller than between various hardware units.
otekGiven just how many plug ins there are, you'd have thought the opposite was true.


The problem is that there are only a couple of DSP algorithms for tasks like equalizing or compression, so the different plug-ins do basically the same job.
That's why a lot of companies add different kinds of distortions (be it noise, harmonics or convolution signals) to their sound.

The knobs to switch on and/or adjust the distortions are often labeled 'analogue', 'tape', 'warmth', 'tube' or 'vintage'.

Mac
.

[Mesmer]

Since when did an SSL digital equalizer ever sound like an SSL analog equalizer?

I also can't think of one time when anybody said anything positive about the equalizers on an SSL digital console. The SSL analog equalizers get reviews ranging from "OK for a channel strip" to "forget it!"

souds like bad news for the Propellerhead (http://www.propellerheads.se/products/record/index.cfm?fuseaction=get_article&article=mix), tried to initiate conversation about it here (http://www.thewombforums.com/showthread.php?p=195717#post195717)

-h