Are Solid Slate Logic plugins an upgrade worth paying for from Analog Obsession?

[raf.dees]

You can rent the SSL stuff for a month from that rental site (can't remember the name...ugh. anyway, it's only like £20 for a month, so why not?

Is this just cancelling a subscription after a month? Personally I don't like the subscription model.

[vurt]

I'm an enthusiastic amateur. I have the full range of Analog Obsession plugins and I'm starting to learn them well and get pretty good results especially from the SSQ, Buster SE and Channev channel strip. I don't have tons of cash but I keep looking at the Solid State Logic plugins but don't know if they are a worthy upgrade as they are pretty expensive and would like an opinion from someone that has the Analog Obsession plugins and also the SSL Native Channel Strip, SSL Native Bus Compressor and SSL Native Drum Strip (and the others). What do you think, should I 'stick or twist'.

are you already getting results you are pleased with? do you feel anything is wrong?

stick

[ZargonTheMagnificent]

You can rent the SSL stuff for a month from that rental site (can't remember the name...ugh. anyway, it's only like £20 for a month, so why not?

Is this just cancelling a subscription after a month? Personally I don't like the subscription model.

I think you get 30 days free for the entire SSL VST line.

My point is simply that the OP wants to know if he should buy the SSL stuff; I'm saying 'why not try it and see?'.

Maximum damage to wallet is £20. Seems reasonable!

[jamcat]

It still doesn’t beat the bx_console SSL models though. They’re generally regarded as the best, topping UAD, even.

They are?
I thought they were regarded as most heavily marketed.
I dont remember THD completely disappearing on an analog desk when you disengage EQ, like it happens on bx consoles.
So i doubt its component modeled, and if it is, something isnt right.

Among SSL shootouts, the bx_consoles seem to always come out on top. They’re not perfect, but their lack of perfection doesn’t lift up other plugins.

I think the THD is coming from the preamp modeling which seems to be part of the EQ module. So when you take the EQ processing out, the preamp goes with it. That could be designed a little better but it’s not really an issue. Just don’t disengage the EQ. Not really sure why you would.

To me, the only real flaw is the way the preamp THD is decoupled from its output volume. Brainworx clearly sees this as a “feature” as many developers do this, including Waves, so increasing “colour” doesn’t upset your gain-staging. However, that’s not how analog preamps work, so you are getting less than authentic behaviour. I much prefer how IK models preamps in their Neve and API models, where turning them up makes them louder.

Lindell has the right approach too, plus they give you a “unity” button in case you want to keep your gain-staging unaffected. So it’s the best of both worlds.

[NinjaToon]

OP if you are tight on money have a look at the Klanghelm and Tokyo Dawn plugins. TDR will get bf sales but you should try all their free versions anyway. Klanghelm don't have sales but they are very reasonably priced.

As someone who owns hundreds of third party plugins I can tell you that it's a waste of time and money to start plugin hunting. Pick a limited number of well known plugins and stick with them (and never pay full price).

Fabfilter are good, update their plugins regularly and you get discount based on the number you own.

Good value low prices: Klanghelm, TDR, Sonimus, Valhalla, Fuse Audio Labs, Voxengo, Audio Damage.

No need to pay high prices for plugins these days. I would not spend more than say $40 on an SSL plugin for example as they all go on sale for that or less throughout the year.

[raf.dees]

Pick a limited number of well known plugins and stick with them

I agree and I think I've decided that the SSL Natives in a good sale might be the way to go for me but I think I might demo the FabFilter Pro Q3 also as I've only ever heard good things about it.

[raf.dees]

As someone who owns hundreds of third party plugins I can tell you that it's a waste of time and money to start plugin hunting.

This is what I'm trying to avoid! but we're only human...

[MogwaiBoy]

I think the SSL plugins are a bit pricey at RRP for what they are. Also, don't be too taken in by the alluring power of their brand name and accolades in console manufacturing - their plugins are pretty straight-forward, standard fare. Just because it's Harrison or SSL doesn't make it automatically better. Harrison haven't even solved high shelf cramping or aliasing on their plugins, for example - and Analog Obsession have.

On a side note I like Analog Obsession's stuff but I went off them completely when they released plugins with viruses in them and they didn't even contact their customers to inform them of this. This and combined with them releasing 5 or 6 versions of the same plugins (Buster) in rapid succession, each one sounding and behaving completely differently, lead me to believe that Analog Obsession were just super amateur and unprofessional. I don't know if they've improved more recently (I see he's gone on Patreon), but I just can't trust them.

Personally, you'll get a lot more for your money, more versatility, and equal or better quality, with something like a Fabfilter or Voxengo bundle.

[NinjaToon]

I agree with MogwaiBoy's take on SSL and I would go for FF if I was choosing one premium plugin house personally.

I do like the SSL channel strip and I use it often but I don't reach for any others by SSL. That's just me however.

[cryophonik]

I really like the SSL plugins and I'm very close to pulling the trigger on a UC1. I don't own the Analog Obsession versions, but they seem to be pretty good as well. If it was me and I was deciding which developer to go with between the two (assuming I didn't own either), I'd personally go with SSL, but since you already own the Analog Obsession plugins, I don't know that I'd consider it an "upgrade", just different. Personally, I love channel strips and like having different ones to choose from, so I agree with those who say to demo the SSL for a month and see if you like them and, if you do, either wait for a sale or find them on the KVR classifieds (they're pretty regularly available at a fraction of the retail cost).

[raf.dees]

until you figure out what do you really need and what are the differences without anyone influencing that, but your needs, ears and taste.

Wise words and having tried demos of 3 different SSL channel strips from 'major' manufacturers, I think I'm going to stick with my Analog Obsession stuff for a while longer.

[kPere]

Getting Waves Platinum (60 plugins!) or Black Rooster All Bundle (both 99$/each) seems like a great deal for OP right now! I'd go with Black Rooster All bundle

[Passing Bye]

until you figure out what do you really need and what are the differences without anyone influencing that, but your needs, ears and taste.

Wise words and having tried demos of 3 different SSL channel strips from 'major' manufacturers, I think I'm going to stick with my Analog Obsession stuff for a while longer.

Yeah, there's really no need for most 3rd party hardware emu plugins these days, Waves, PA, BRA or whatever, game changed, even Logic got UAD quality of stock vintage emu's, that ship sailed in 00s.

You can go long way with your DAW stock effects, than with freebies and cheaper commercial ones like Analog Obsession, Airwindows, Variety of Sound, Tokyo Dawn Labs, Klanghelm, ValhallaDSP...

This is a must at this point
https://jonvaudio.com/fircomp/

Don't get sucked in hype and GAS, trust your own judgment.