Cheap SSL VS Expensive SSL | My Honest Opinions

Here's my honest opinions on the tonal differences between cheap and expensive SSL preamps. We compare the SSL 2 Interface VS X-Rack XR627 Modules to determine how they sound different and is the huge price difference justified.
Here's the original comparison video: • SSL 2 Interface VS SSL...
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[@ianbailey5262]

Thanks for doing the original comparison, and then following it up later with your opinions. It was interesting to see if my newbie ears could detect the subtle differences, I heard quite a few and also noticed a lot of new stuff from your presentation, so thanks for that. I think you’re spot on with your conclusions and considerations regarding budget - as with everything there is the law of diminishing returns ie. you can get a cheaper bit of kit that’s brilliant, but with the more one spends the percentage increase in performance gets smaller, so the SSL is perfect for me at the moment, I wouldn’t know how to get the best out of the full SSL preamps yet. I’m a Sax player by trade and have similar conversations with my students over choosing the right instrument. Good stuff👍👍

[@Josh.Bartel]

You absolutely nailed that description! Couldn’t agree more 🙂

[@hauntedbytheliving1175]

Great video! The subtle differences add up so quickly… you realize it’s not subtle at all. I mixed on an SSL Duality for several years and I agree wholeheartedly with your take on the higher end SSL pres. Big, deep, 3D.

[@mittanorath]

my fav audio channel

[@DoitYHWH]

Great comparison I agree with you as well! Does SSL make a newer 500 series rack for there newer modules?

[@Josh.Bartel]

I’m actually not to sure about that, I don’t think they released a new chassis but may be wrong. Their new modules look pretty good though!

[@DoitYHWH]

@@Josh.Bartel Agreed they're beautiful!

[@waydbloom]

As you were comparing and you mentioned the roundness and low end from the rack… I was thinking is a there a way to add more depth to the SSL 2+ ??

[@Josh.Bartel]

That’s an interesting question! I guess you could add some kind of plugin for colour like tape or an analogue emulation. But I find I get better results if I get it as good as possible at the source

[@ethosgarden4136]

thank you for this. this is a little off topic but if you have an SSL Six, would you recommend the SSL 2 over another interface around the same price range with more i/o that could take advantage of analog summing? This would be mostly for mixing hip-hop.

[@Josh.Bartel]

I'm not super familiar with the SSL Six but my first thoughts are I'd want a few more line outputs on an interface if I was using a mixer for mixing. That way you could send more channels through the mixer e.g. all your drums at once.

[@ethosgarden4136]

@@Josh.Bartel Thank you dude!

[@SeventhSonMusic]

I use the ssl six with the ssl2+ ..i use 2 interfaces a tascam 201i for its 8 outputs to sum through to the ssl six and dump it back into the computer using ssl 2+ with the 4k engaged.. I love the analog flavor im getting... Getting more mixdown work because of it ..

[@Dolle_Man]

Watching this in 1080p on my macbook, with Fostex 120RP, really trying to hear the "difference" for the price difference the SSL 2 is a no brainer right? As an starting musician/producer its clear, I own a Behringer Uphoria, really want to bring it to the next phase, Great tip at 07:08, you mean getting 2 of the " SSL 500 series SIX channel" ? one channel cost 444€ Interesting but those are inputs only right no audio-interface, I have the SiX mixer, and I'm searching for good companion. any suggestion?

[@Josh.Bartel]

If you can't really hear the difference between them then yeah the SSL 2 would be great. There's no point buying something higher quality if you can't make the most of the actual quality difference and since you are a beginner musician/producer then it's probably a good option. At 07:08 I was referring to any other preamp, not necessarily SSL. Yeah the 500 series preamps are just stand-alone preamps, no a/d. Since you already have the SiX mixer that already has a couple of higher quality preamps, I'd recommend upgrading the Behringer Uphoria, but what you choose to upgrade to would depend on your budget and what features you actually want and need. The interface is what all audio goes through which is why I'd prefer start with a higher quality interface that gives me options to expand and add to in the future.

[@Dolle_Man]

@@Josh.Bartel Thank you for taking your time Josh! yes you're right.For my future interface: I record my live music jams, straight into the six, and then into the audio-interface, I think it make more sense for me to have an audio-interface with have more inputs so that all the synths/drums/voice's have their own track ( instead of just stereo) So, I'm searching for a interface with enough inputs/outputs so that I also can use its sub-D connectors ( with the SiX has) for summing. But then again I'm a beginner. I guess I need to dive more into Gearspace and read more articles..

[@RhafaelAnastacio]

i love ssl…i have ssl 2…amazing

[@amxzngboombap2756]

I was pretty certain that a $300 interface would come up short in some areas. Different plugins can compensate for many things but if you have the budget to spend on higher end gear..why not? I'm just waiting for the next artist with a hit record to say that his/her record was recorded using one of the things and it would change some opinions about things. Good Video.

[@Josh.Bartel]

Expensive gear definitely doesn’t create a hit song, that’s for sure. I guess It can make mixing and mastering a little easier though and can result in some subtle quality differences.

[@therealkruz]

You tried the BLA 2x2? If so how would you compare it to the ssl2?

[@Josh.Bartel]

I haven’t tried it so can’t comment unfortunately

[@therealkruz]

Fair enough, if you had like $1-1.5k to spend would you get an audio interface or dedicated dac, preamps. (If you owned an ssl 2).

[@Josh.Bartel]

With that budget I’d prefer sell the SSL 2 and get a higher quality audio interface. You could get a pretty good one at that price (antelope, RME, UAD just to name a few). You’d also have the option to add external preamps in the future if the interface has line inputs.

[@bighousemusic628]

@@Josh.Bartel when you said uad rme apogee state your statement because the ssl 2+ smoke most of what you mention in sound quality

[@svendsgaard1]

My ears might be missing something. I do definitely hear more punch, bottom end and warmth with XR627 but I think the SSL 2 might still be capturing everything you need with possibly just a little too much boost in the upper frequencies. I personally don't hear too much loss of punch. I think If you fine tune some cuts in the upper frequencies with a parametric and boost the track I think the punch and tone could be just as apparent or at least closer to resembling the natural warmth of the XR627. Thanks for the comparison. I haven't had too much experience yet tracking with my SSL2 but this serves as great reference to know how tame that 4k boost. thanks for the comparison

[@Josh.Bartel]

Yeah the SSL 2 definitely does a great job! I think the main difference I hear on my monitors is that 3D sound which is quite hard to describe or recreate as well as an extension in the extreme lows and extreme high end. I am definitely talking subtle differences so the SSL 2 is probably sufficient to most people’s needs.

[@svendsgaard1]

@@Josh.Bartel yeah sounds like your trying to describe more of a feel then an actual sonic replication. I think I know exactly what you are saying. There is that atmospheric sound that fills the room when listening to professional mixes. 3D sound is a good way to describe what is missing. A simple trick that I accidentally discovered many years is it offset the left and right channel a few milliseconds to create a more atmospheric stereo sound. Simple but could be effective in some situations when something might be missing from a mix . I like the results anyways. Thanks again. Cheers!

[@jakethecake31]

@@svendsgaard1 hey! Sorry new to the game here but could you describe a little more what you mean by offsetting the left and right Channel? Is that one stereo track or do you mean the entire left and right channels of a mix?

[@svendsgaard1]

@@jakethecake31 as in the entire stereo mix. Line up 2 separate tracks of the stereo mix or any stereo track and either split the stereo channel or just just pan one track all the way to the left and the other all the way to the right. Then slightly offset one of the tracks by zooming in and dragging with the mouse. I'm not sure the exact amount of milliseconds but would imagine that different tracks would have their own sweet spot. Use your ears. You will definitely hear a noticeable difference similar to a quick stereo slap back. It might be just something you might add to a bridge section of a song or possibily the entire song. I usually dont use this technique anymore because I kind of just discovered it by accident but think it could still be useful to experiment with and the results are far from subtle and will instantly widen the mix but may or may not be something that you are desiring. I think it might be one of those things that will bring life to some track but my make others to busy. Kind of like the decision of should I put reverb on this track or just leave it dry. Anyways good luck give it a try maybe you will discover other uses for offsetting tracks

[@jakethecake31]

@@svendsgaard1 hey! Thank you so much for responding in depth about this process I really appreciate it! Gonna give it a try!

[@L.Lyubomirov]

SLL2 4K in combination with some saturation plugins can do the magic,easy !

[@eduardokreca]

Expensive has more 400hz

[@Fiveash-Art]

Don't buy the SSL 2 .. mine was bricked within a few months. Terrible buzzing from the first channel, second channel didn't work at all. The buttons are loose and fuzzy and it never felt like a quality product. Very plastic. That wouldn't have bothered me if the thing worked. Also it would constantly disconnect from my Mac. I tossed it in the garbage bought a Clarett and everything was solved. I spent months fooling with it , thinking it was a ground loop problem. Nope .. SSL 2 is just junk with a gimmicky branding. STAY AWAY FROM THIS THING. Mine sounded great for a couple of months. I've seen a lot of other people who've had these problems so I don't think my experience was extra special.

[@derdude8201]

Me and a few of my friend are using those cheap ssl‘s for years now. Mine is used daily with vocals, acoustic and electric guitars and never ever had any problems. So from my experience I’d say yes it feels a little cheap but it’s a workhorse. The stuff I record with runs on streaming and radio. Can’t be so bad.

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@derdude8201 I think it's possible they had a run of lemons at the beginning .. Because yes, I've heard a lot of people have had good experiences with them. Unfortunately not in my case, and I'm still loving my Clarett .. totally worth spending just a couple hundred more to upgrade it. I have a feeling a lot of people might also be happier with a bad sound and just don't hear what I'm talking about. When I first started using it, I didn't notice the problem as much until eventually I just couldn't ignore it. I've heard a lot of people who talk about the same exact problems. The terrible hum they get when they turn it up past the halfway mark on the input. It's a very real problem. Just because a piece of equipment is serviceable doesn't mean it's a good product. "can't be so bad." .. I'm glad you're happy with your SSL2 .. but for me it was 'bad'. So .. I'd still tell people to stay away from this thing. There are better products on the market for around the same price. This thing is overhyped on KZbin. I'm upset I fell for all the marketing. But we live and learn. "streaming radio" .. The hallmark of quality. 😂 just kidding.