Hey man, I really like this series! I'm fortunate to be in a position in life where I can blow more cash than I deserve on hardware, but I'm riveted to these comparisons out of intellectual (and musical) curiosity. I also think you're providing a real service to younger people, artists, and engineers about how and whether the trade-offs relate to the differing costs for individuals. I always say it: You're doing musical science. Cheers.

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

🙏🙏

Great video. The EQ and Image is on sale right now so im gonna grab em. Thatd be dope to see all the plugins compared to the HW in totality.

If you take every separate module "small" difference but add in series like they're supposed to be.. and put them up against the HW, it will make a huge difference ! And if you buy all the Fusion plugins, it's already 1000$ only half way to the HW... The conclusion of this series (really cool btw) will probably save up for the HW 🙂

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

Yep

@reinaldoherrera8252

2 жыл бұрын

a couple of them are on sale right now! 50 usd each. let's hope the other one will be on sale too in the near future!

@massivebeatzz

2 жыл бұрын

yea, and also expensive.... 1000 bucks for all these plugins - SSL trying to outsmart customers...Just release ONE plugin, the mimmicks the ONE Hardware....wtf! Might as well spend 2K for the box.

@hibitsounds9755

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same, at these prices for each plugin, you’re better off buying the hardware and it’s better

Great Comparison! Thanks DAVID :) If I listen in Mono it seems that the hardware boost the lows in the Mid signal a little bit and compensate the Side spread (higher frequencies) to sound more natural or like you said more 3D but actually the Mid signal with the plugin is more like the original Mid signal of the track (in Mono). Overall its pretty close and I guess recreadable with other plugins as well. For me personally not a reason to spend 2 grands but the Vintage Drive is definitely something to think about :) I hope the next comparison is the SSL Bus Comp Plugin :) cheers

Very cool testing!

Good comparison! For sure the plugin sounds... much more phasey

Thanks David!

I am loving it :)

Yes I’m liking the series

Pretty big difference, but sounded pretty good distinct which would be great on some tracks. Listening on Genelec 8351B's and its night and day. More top sheen on the plugin, hardware has a more natural width to it. I like the Ozone Imaging plugin myself with different bands, and use the Neve MBP Portico II to add a little stereo widening and depth also. Thanks for the vid.

11:45 I love this crumbling sound after the clap so much

Hmmm the Focus on the HW is awesome! Dont need to concentrate were the sounds are located, while the plugin gets a bit blurred because of phasing i guess. So its not a simple “Gain” of sides, as there are loads of plugins can do that. To me something interesting also happening with the HW. Not on all demos that obvious but on some its pretty nice tho. Cheers

In AirPods the plugin was actually amazing on the vox I can’t hear what your hearing on the speakers with the drums but to me on the vox the plugin is killing the hardware,pretty incredible tbh, im gonna get the plugin just for the vocals I wouldn’t want to spread the kick and sub anyways doing this over a whole mix seems a bit strange to me ✌️ thanks for the vid

Hello, very good series of videos. I wish you could make one of the SSL Fusion Transformer and the compressors, I love your opinions, they are sincere and professional. Thank you,

Great channel! Please do video with all the modules engaged. I'm this close to buy hw Fusion, this would be helpfull :)

First one ! I’m sure the hardware is going to be my choice again lol great videos though .

Would love to see a Distressor comparison, maybe against the slate or softube version :) nice peace of gear for sure

@lisan_al-ghaib

2 жыл бұрын

There's already a Distressor by Softube review from David. I think it's called Softube Empirical Labs collection or something

Very very useful channel 💯

Thanks Rico smiling!

Great content

This plugin is freaking amazing when you do a stereo bounce with the SSL Six super analog mixer then blending that stereo signal in parrallel with the SSL stereo image plugin to get that huge sound using the CH OUTSIDE THE SPEAKERS preset to get that SSL Fusion color is very subtle but it works perfectly when you have a good mix and looking for that extra humph

Clear difference. But the plug-ins have there purposes. I can appreciate the budget of the SSL plugins if it’s a financial situation I would say it’s good practice for the real thing. SSL has a monthly situation and although the HW clearly is the winner. The ability to practice and take gigs to work your way to the real thing I think is a good start for the engineer working hard towards that goal. Good video as always!

I love you man.

Didn't like what I heard when I demoed the plugin when it was released and still don't like it now. sounds above the head and artificial. I prefer Mathew Lane DrMS or Leapwing Stage One by a long shot. The hardware sound way more natural and elegant. Thanks for the comparison David ! 🤘🏻

I trust your videos

I have and love the Neve Master Bus Processor, and I've seen your videos on it, which were really informative. Perhaps it's too much like comparing apples and oranges, but I'd love to see a comparison of different hardware on these kinds of stereo field effects. They really seem to have broadly differing colors and capabilities.

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

I don't have the MBP, i tried it, off camera, cool unit but not for me.

@cortical1

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv Oh right, I recall now that I think you got it around the time you got the Fusion and decided to keep the Fusion. I know you already have Neve color from other units. Cheers.

@massivebeatzz

2 жыл бұрын

Shouldn't be Apples and Oranges. Should be Apples and Apples. SSL makes the box and the plugin series. No excuses. They know what they are creating. It's a money grab, nothing more.

@cortical1

2 жыл бұрын

@@massivebeatzz I'd still argue that a comparison of two different brand hardware units for stereo field effects, which is what I suggested, is apples and oranges, but could still be interesting. I'm personally not as interested in the hardware to software comparisons from the same company (like David did so nicely here), but I know this is quite useful for many people.👍🏻

@curtisthacreator2231

11 ай бұрын

Have you tried the spl big 500 module yet? Would love to know your opinion on it

Smart old dude

the conclusion is when it comes to plugin it will be more exaggerated, less center and flat. when it comes to hardware, it will be more centered focus while still maintaining the wide effect, also the front and back more properly placed.

at 5:40 listen to the snare. When you switch from the plugin over to the hardware - I feel like the snare suddenly sounds like it is in a bigger room, and is a little warmer. Anyone else hearing that too?

Genre to Genre the plugin didn't do everything I expected, the hardware did a better job, I'm surprised

I was still undecided if buy it or not the plug (even cause discount in these days) but after your test probably I won't take it. It's really audible the difference between them especially how the hardware keeps the mono in front, more presence. Its' not what I'm looking for I'd say. Ciao ;-)

thanks David for comparison-I still happy with my analog Fusion . and if we talk analog I have a hardware question as usual :) - if u looking for a mb compressor which one will be ur pick and also on digital side ? Take care and see u soon . Best |R|

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

If I was to get a hardware mb that would 100% be the tubetech, software I wanna say McDSP

David you need to compare the new lindell sbc vs the api 2500 hardware, seems like it's the closest ever made

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

I don't have the 2500 anymore, I sold it years ago. Compressors are still big wall for plug-ins tho, I'll release a video on the actual science behind why it is

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

plugin sounds wider but also less natural. I expect other plugins probably do the job better. I don't think I'm ever going to get sick of 'no sunshine' though :D

What do you think about API Channel strip for vocals? I mean mainly for rap. I think API can give so much natural air for vocals and un-mud them on recording stage. On internet It's so poor tests about this one

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

It's great

Call me crazy but I think that pulling down the output trim on the plugin would make them indistinguishable?

Oh so that shuffle is letting the plugin mimic the analog sag from the electrical current that the hardware unit receives. Am I right? Because your room will be different in how power is running through the wall to both the computer and the hardware then anyone else's. Every room has gremlins, hahah that why the equipment in Abbey Road doesn't quite sound the same when it's sold to the next studio for example. Right?

Hi David, Thanks for the video! How does this plugin compares to the Ozone 9 Stereo Imager? Which one would you choose at the same price? Tks in advance!

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

If you're talking about the multiband, ozone all day

@gerardomerino6418

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv That one. Thanks!

personally idk how but the plugins sounds more clean to me

OK Video !!!

Hi David, just finishing mixing my band's album and would like to try a small amount of stereo width adjustment... Minimal. Can you recommend a good simple plugin for this? Ozone imager? I don't like how this fusion one sounds. Thanks.

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

I like ozone yes

@clintonmaher6930

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv Great thanks

There different but it's so slight that if you hear the real unit I think you will learn what to change to correct for the fact that it's not analog device. I am learning smiling

Rico played with Gil Scott Heron smiling

Hi David, Im going to buy my first hardware box for my master bus. Im torn between a Ssl fusion, Tegeler Creme or The 5254 from Neve. Been ITB now for many years so where do you think i should start? Thanks a lot for your videos, they help me big time ❤ br Rune

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

Start with the Creme

@runemidsun

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv thanx

13:08 song fire

How does the SSL Fusion width compare to the SPL BIG?

@mixbustv

2 ай бұрын

I have no idea, I never tried the big

Have been looking at your comparisons and I'm beginning to wonder is it that the companies are holding back just a little when it comes to their plugins. Or is it the fact that these plug-ins are digital so it introduces aliasing. And if so would introducing an oversampling option for this would cure the sound quality differences.

@mixbustv

8 ай бұрын

Why would they "hold back"? And no, aliasing isn't a problem anymore for the most part but even fixing that would make em sound like hardware.

The hardware unit sonically sounds better. Seems like it does a 3D lift

Should we use it so ? You said previously whe should not to much use mid/side stuff, I 'm LOSTTT !!

@mixbustv

Жыл бұрын

Too much water will kill you. If you're looking for absolutes in this field you're always gonna get the wrong answers from people who don't know better. Context is everything and so is details because this IS what audio is. I said don't use mid side processing by default in mastering. Context (mastering) and action (by default or too much) I didn't say don't use it. Understand what a tool does, understand that nothing is inherently good or bad it all depends on context and amount, when, how and why

@Boaugustin

Жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv thanks for the answer ! Ok i see ! What I have to do is to recognize situation where this is needed, so train my hear to understand a context when this type of tool can solve the problem but not added it by default because in my brain i say to myself, that's always better with it ! Really thanks for you're time !

Yea, only works at some settings. There are a few plugins out there that could do this job as good as this hardware and go further with added features. From what we've heard so far, the SSL plugs being sold individually is a bit of a rip-off. They would be better off selling one plugin that is the entire unit, and at a 'normal' plugin price.

@donnas8408

Жыл бұрын

Yeah solid state are greedy bastards no doubt

Does it do anything except for m/s eq?

@mixbustv

4 ай бұрын

Why do you think there's M/S eq anywhere here?

@grandmaenjoysmusic

4 ай бұрын

@@mixbustv maybe I got it wrong, but as I understood "width" knob is controlling level of "side" part of the signal, while "space" does boost low end of "side" - this is what I meant by the m/s (or rather "s") EQ :) Or is it more sophisticated? I mean the plugin, hardware probably has some analog magic to it :)

We're getting near to the conclusion that the Hardware is worth every single penny and investment. But you know of course we already know that! 🙂

THE PLUGIN ACTUALLY TIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN ADJUST IT TO THE ANALOGE IF YO EARS GOOD, BUT YOU CAN FIX THE CENTER

@mixbustv

5 ай бұрын

But the question is, can you fix grammar? And also not post comments in all caps? Good talk

@TicscoCampbell

5 ай бұрын

Sorry about the Caps @@mixbustv

@TicscoCampbell

5 ай бұрын

I'm late but i was responding to the question you asked at the begining of the video

The HW is obviously superior but only audio nerds care. For the average listener with in ears/mp3s you can just use a Target toaster. Probably run you about 12$ on sale. 😁

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure you didn't see my video explaining in how many ways what you just said is so wrong. The only people who don't care are actually those who want to believe the audience won't hear the difference, the same people coming to my channel asking why their mixes and masters don't sound like they want or like the commercial products

I'm liking the plugin... I feel the hardware is more sensitive, and subtle, it's hard to choose...

Warning: The LF Shelf on the hardware is fixed at 180hz. Not 280. I’d imagine a Hundred hertz difference in low frequency widening Would sound quite different.

@mixbustv

Жыл бұрын

Warning? 😄 In caps? Ain't a bit dramatic? I assume everyone can hear regardless what it says on the manual, it's one setting not like you can do anything about it lol

@G_handle

Жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv A bit!

@G_handle

Жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv That said, as people rely on your reviews, maybe if you still have both you can fire em up with the right settings and see if it makes the difference. Then decide if it’s important enough for a correction?

I find it very hard to take this guy seriously

@mixbustv

Жыл бұрын

Right. I've only been doing this professionally for 20 years, 130 pages of credits, a studio in LA which it's probably worth more than all you own and about every major pro audio company working with me. Yeah, for some reason I think it won't be me the one people have hard time taking seriously, Jon Black lol but by all means, you're here watching my videos amd commenting, feel free to keep that up 👍😂 you got the plug-in 😭😭

@mixbustv

Жыл бұрын

You okay Jon? Want a hug?

@jonblack9166

Жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv I didn't say I watched the video (or videos/plural for that matter), just said "I find it hard to take this guy seriously." 🤷‍♂ No need to get defensive. Just a fact.

Ssl plugins are suscks

The hardware is useless for this.

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

🤦😂

@zyxyuv1650

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv The problem is with this specific plugin, not all imaging plugins. There's other stereo imaging plugins better than this one.

@erictorres5935

2 жыл бұрын

@@zyxyuv1650 the whole point of the video series is to compare the hardware to the plugin version of the unit . Where you been ?

@erictorres5935

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv 🤣🤣

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

@@zyxyuv1650 I'm not sure I follow you 😄 you said the hardware is useless, now you're saying the plug-in

Hear no difference from my cell phone tho

@mixbustv

2 жыл бұрын

lol cellphone 🤦‍♀️

@erictorres5935

2 жыл бұрын

That’s because the range and quality of that little speaker can’t distinguish it . I see what your saying though.

@cal1music65

2 жыл бұрын

@@mixbustv can't tell any difference from listening through my hairdryer either :(

@firmans12

2 жыл бұрын

Nice

@truckguy3

Жыл бұрын

For what it’s worth, the difference he was speaking of in the center channel Being less dense and focused is apparent even in a cell phone if you are listening Carefully :) but yea…. Stop listening on a cell phone