Choosing the Right Channel Strip with Joe Carrell

Which console is the best for your productions? Joe Carrell talks about the different channel strips of iconic manufacturers like SSL, NEVE, and Focusrite. This is your definitive guide to the Plugin Alliance channel strip collection.
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[@PluginAllianceTV]

Demo all of Plugin Alliance's products for 30 days. Start a free MEGA Bundle trial here: www.pa-megastore.com/mega/?

[@zackorr421]

Best video I have seen explaining this… I wish the Lindell API was out at the time of this.

[@DJUwU]

2:44 Lindell (1970s) 3:27 Neve (1980s) 4:25 Focusrite (1990s) 5:25 SSL 4000 E (1980s) 6:41 SSL 9000 J (2000s) Thoughts: Most accustomed to SSL 4000 E sound. It felt home. Didn't expect to like the Lindell so much. I want to try this on some "larger than life" feeling songs. SSL 9000 K was very similar to Lindell...with a little more mid range clarity. But somehow "wow'd" me less than the Lindell? (edit: it wow'd me less because of the low end frequencies) I think Focusrite would sound great on Jazz/Classical music...its richness and warmness sounded the cleanest/least distortion...but I find it to be too boring for Pop/Rock. The Neve just screamed "Grunge and angry music" to me for some reason.

[@brian95240]

I am currently trying to take in many demo videos, I'm order to find each channel stripes strengths, weaknesses and specialties. In the end, there will be a reference chart; to help make each track's character and vibe precisely how I envision them. This will greatly improve workflow speed and reduce time for analysis and selection. If such a chart exists, I will use that instead (unless something is missing).

[@BrxProd-ho5ez]

@@brian95240 hi, have you made the chart? I’d love to have a copy of it if you did, thank you.

[@allpdmusic]

Love the Lindell 80!

[@allpdmusic]

@@gonebymidnight2881 Y E S !!!

[@maryolukas1324]

Wooow, that console N is incredible for low-end! It's tight and polished

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That's really awesome feedback. Thank you so much!

[@nealeheywood]

I think Joe Carell nails it.Once you identify each console's extra nice sections,i.e.the beautiful Lindell high end,fat fluffy low end,the almost foolproof musical EQ and dynamic sections of the SSL consoles,its really gratifying to knowingly reach for the right match for your source material.I love the tip about juicing the input of the console front end to invoke some extra mojo it's a very valid one,if you haven't,give at go,it's nice.P.S anyone else think the BX N console EQ is possibly the nicest all round EQ in these series?

[@anshuljain8515]

That Lindell just works perfectly for this song...sounds so beautiful, Second for me would be the 9000J on the E curve, those open highs sound really good

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for letting us know!

[@allpdmusic]

As a singer songwriter... That Lindell is sounding amazing. So much vibe!!!

[@adammusic1124]

Love the sound of the Lindell 80, use it all over my mixes and just adore the sound, the PA Lindell strips are AMAZING, I also love their Lindell X Channel, it's very affordable and just has a richness about it that just brings the sound out in a bright, yet warm way... PA strips are amazing!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We really appreciate the great feedback. Thank you very much!

[@johnisrael5183]

I agree I always use the Lindell 80 Bus with the 9000 J with Klanghelm DC8 comp or bx Townhome Comp

[@danepaulstewart8464]

Best channel strip comparison ever made, as far as I can find. 😎👍👍

[@musictomotion]

Great video! It is good to see this kind of real-life comparison between the different channel strips and hear the difference. Much appreciated!

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

Thanks! If i wrote one wrong, please let me know. 00:00 Intro 02:40 Neve 03:24 Console N 04:20 Focusrite 05:18 SSL E 06:35 SSL 9000 E 07:50 Scrolling through Channel Strips

[@jfilbert]

It's the SSL 9000 J, not "E". =)

[@digitalmarketinghumans]

Thank you, real MVP!

[@Schilliebillie]

Highly appreciate this! Thank you Plugin Alliance. Love the Lindell.

[@cesargonzalezbueno3359]

The Neve and SSL 9000 sound amazing to my ears. However I love the API in my mixes.

[@midnightwind8067]

Thank you Joe. This taught me so much. Even more than you were showing us. Very much appreciated.

[@KarasamaBeats]

I really needed this video !

[@gerardlake]

love the lindel audio and 9000 punch clarity depth & width...

[@danialdevostmusic]

after everything i still love the 4000! the definition and clarity in the mid range is just so good, and i find the low end and high end easier to control and get right

[@noiseinthebasement8139]

Great demonstration. Thanks, Joe!

[@deadmaydie]

Great vid! I was just messing around with these a few hours ago. Perfect timing, thanks.

[@ambrocado]

What a great tutorial!!!. THANK YOU SO MUCH JOE & ALLIANCE

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That's fantastic feedback, thanks!

[@assshakerstudios549]

Man, I used to have a buddy who mixed on an SSL 9000J and I'd pay him some cash to run my mixes through his console....he was working on an old Mac Pro 2 core, so it would take 5hrs just to load my files from a usb stick to his computer so he could run them through the SSL from there, then re-record them it was a couple hours as well. Man come to think of it, I owe him a couple more bucks....uggghhh! Anyway the 9000j does have this high end cleanness that all other's do not have! And when it's gone you totally miss it! And I didn't realize I was missing it till this video...so thank you! That's exactly what I've been trying to get on my mixes with my mixbuss eq...which is generally the V3 eq and then some widening with Nugen Qudio Steroizer and Monofilter. But that magic air and sheen you get from the 9000J might be just what the Dr. needed to save a shit ton of time and searching to replace that magical sheen on every single....source!!! Copied from Paul Allen:Wouldn't it be great if you could cycle through these channel strips keeping the same settings to decide which 'flavour' you wanted with one instantiation of a plugin? Plugin Alliance - if you're listening?

[@LeKing56]

I'm a big fan of the lindell, the low end is so amazing to my ears. I also like the other Neve, but the 9000 surely has a place as well. Great video for helping us knowing which one to grab depending on the context.

[@Hassan_Omer]

Thank you for doing this straight forward , easy to understand comparison.

[@workofhishand]

Just came across your mixes today. These sounds are tugging on my heart making' me cry man!

[@sgfdancecompany]

Great stuff as always Joe!!!!!!

[@lizlangauraceneenvellum8716]

Just starting to decipher this stuff... thank you for the elegant, concise presentation! Loving the Lindell but also the N.

[@anthonycunningham4598]

This helped tremendously! Thanks!

[@theleviathan89]

Thanks Joe, great lesson. Very eye/ear opening.

[@robgracia509]

thank you for doing this Joe great info

[@olivermoller2838]

This was soo informative, thanks!

[@AlistairCooperMusic]

Really interesting and fun comparison! Thanks!

[@RogerioValgode]

Great video, thanks a lot. My fave is LINDELL 80, I just love what it does to the low end...

[@AH23794]

Great comparison video!!

[@owlmuso]

Excellent video, thanks Joe

[@jroz8111]

Great video brother! best one i have seen. Keep it up really informative

[@DigiMixAudio]

Great shootout Joe; Thanks!

[@na_der]

Joe, I absolutely lovvve ur vids! Many thnx 2 plug-in alliance!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thank YOU for the nice feedback!

[@jamesconraadtucker]

Thanks man, we'll done comparisons. They really all have their place.

[@dsess2001]

Love the video. I have all of them except the Lindell 80 which I will get it soon or later. I already have the new Neold V76U73 which sounds amazing. I'm about that channel strip life!

[@WHYTILMM]

Great Way to explain and compare the sonic characteristics of each emulation. Really helpful. Thank you 🙌🏾.

[@vaughnmiller4371]

Thanks a lot Joe. This demonstration video helped me make a decision as to which channel strip is my next purchase...

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

Awesome! Hope you’re getting great results with it.

[@christapp9430]

Thank you for this video!

[@risingsun7297]

Awesome Joe glad they put you up to this😂

[@beornthebear.8220]

The SSL 9000 J has a two end clarity I really like. The bass and mids are good, too, as are they are in the other channel strips, but the clarity of the sounds helped me dive into the music.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

That's great to hear. Thanks for the wonderful feedback and sharing your experience!

[@LaMusicaEsTuDios]

You were looking for the word "creamy" when you described the Lindell Neve plugins... You're welcome. :-) The SSL E sounds nice too.

[@OverdriveMusic]

great video!!!

[@markbraziel4828]

Very Helpful!

[@estevancarlos]

This is was an amazingly clear comparison.

[@mreugenealmighty]

between that 4000 and 9000 they both sound good to me

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@ZenMountain]

Great, thanks!

[@jjones7837]

It's funny because reviewing the Focusrite SC nobody really says too much in the comments about it, but he literally says he just used it on some records.... That's selling point. Missed it the first time but starting to appreciate the more transparent way this thing works. Cheers.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear the magic is working for you. Thanks for the enchanting feedback!

[@keithferris9574]

The Focusrite is absolutely awesome in it's capabilities. It can definitely be used on rock music if you know what you're doing.

[@bazzzzz6175]

Really great video, man. I still need the Lindell and a 9000. Gotta have 'em all!

[@joseberroa4935]

I have the Focusrite and recently I decided to use it. And is a very good one.. I am really impressed . But he second VST in my speakers sound it better. The snare wasn't muddy . The third one in my speakers sound it like transients were cut of very settle.. All of them are very good. I guess it depends what kind of music are you mixing . Thank you so much for this rich video..

[@futumama1]

Very professional comparison, and true.

[@atmodiver]

I come back to this video again and again to develop a strategy for each group of tools.Thank you so much Joe Carell for your efforts!

[@vikramjitbanerjeetuki]

SSL 9000 J for the win,Lindell is a close second place 👍

[@KyleBrone]

Love them all! One thing to note is that the 80 series is the only one that's using compression in the comparison.

[@TheSoundHog]

This is exactly the video I needed as a new mega bundle subscriber 🤌

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Awesome, we're glad to hear it helped. Thanks for the nice feedback and enjoy your new tools!

[@indransubramaniam763]

Superb video.thanks man...

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thank you!

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

Great comparison, I use them too, on different tracks. And with TMT inside you have hundreds of different channel strips.

[@TadDoylemusic]

That SSL 9000 J is pretty good.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're really glad to hear that. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@dianevrules]

Use all of these. Mega Bundle is the way to go. Waiting on a Trident channel strip

[@johnisrael5183]

I agree Plugin alliance definately best Plugins online

[@McEnroe911]

Brilliant video thank you.

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

McEnroe911 thanks for watching! 👊🏼✌🏼

[@kingcollie]

This was so great at explaining and showing the differences. I have no one to guide me and have been going in blind for a while now and struggled to properly understand channel strips. I love the SSL and have been trying to properly understand how it works. This was a great door opener for me! Im getting it now lol thanks for this!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear the video is helpful. Thank YOU for sharing and enjoy your sessions!

[@danielharvey4345]

Tremendously helpful video, thank you

[@PluginAllianceTV]

You're very welcome!

[@saxmanash]

What a great video! I can see the benefit of the focusrite when I need to produce more Jazz 😁

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear it helped. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@m.i.stapes]

I enjoyed this one. More like this please! Pass the knowledge

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're on it. Stay tuned!

[@Brutuscomedy]

The Focusrite is growing on me.

[@jfilbert]

It was this video that sold me on the SSL J. Just running signal through it without any EQ saturates the sound in a a very classy and pleasing way and feels like 50% of the way toward making raw tracks sound like a record. I've played the field for a long time and was seriously dating the Neve N but it's so nice to finally have a default strip I can settle down with. Also, I was skeptical of tolerance modelling but now I'm sold. Really a top-shelf plug.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the great support and sharing your experience!

[@starkid9736]

TMT is wow i got the J 4 real this is a good product, never without it again my 1st wow was with arturia fx bundle and also softube model 84 (soooo real) the software algos are fool proof these days thx Pa 4 doin what u doin u earned a customer

[@jfilbert]

@@starkid9736 The PA SSL J is my longest running keeper plug. My workflow now is to track my MIDI compositions through the J with the compressor just barely lighting up at a very low ratio, then printing the output to audio file stems. I then have another channel strip that I mix those tracks through, actually a small combination of strips (the PA Amek strip can work for this), but its a super solid no-brainer system that _just works_ and sounds fantastic . Cheers-

[@starkid9736]

@@jfilbert i use amek and the 9000j in altering combinations maybe a driven summit eq or the siemens here and there and i got all crucial possibilitys covered this all u need 2 place sound objects on the mix canvas before those strips i had 2 remember whats up in my efx chain and fiddle there 2 place the sounds but now its done with these 2 simple GUIs (feels like 2 easy)

[@showerstudio]

Given the amount of channel strips in PA bundle this video is super useful 👍👍👍

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear it's helping. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@jamesconraadtucker]

"What we're trying to do here is focus on the nature of the circuit itsef". Matching settings not only couldn't ever do that (hardware or software). Either at any settings or pushed where each of these channel strips also shine in their own right. Particularly, the SSL, and Focusrite SC. I mean, it's what they all do. Albeit with slightly different characteristics. Thanks for the review. You are right about them all being excellent. The bx Console series are all tremendous. The Focusrite and N are my two favorites. Getting just the right sound from Preamps really help. The Focusrite SC with acoustic instruments is or seems to really shine over the others. IMO. Cheers and thanks again for the tease : )

[@industrystandardbeats]

AMEK 9099 I literally fell in love. I want an actual desk one day now lol I'm serious it is the best plug in for workflow and sounds magical omg thank you PA

[@PluginAllianceTV]

We're glad to hear the magic is working. Thanks for the enchanting feedback and enjoy your sessions!

[@CamiloVelandia]

My faves were Lindell 80 and J9000 for this mix.

[@SAVMONEY97]

I liked the Console N and SSL 9000 J.

[@eranddroory9987]

Great vid.. Thanks 😊

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

erand droory thanks for watching! 👊🏼✌🏼

[@retsmej]

this review workflow is the most complete and straightforward . very good ! side by side 9000J shines for my ears, next is Lindel.

[@ReynaldoIvanPena]

I like the Lindell 80 and the 9000 J but I'm still learning how to use them.

[@keithferris9574]

What a great video

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thank you very much!

[@kurtm6345]

Thanks!

[@soulsonic]

All right, Joe and PA. Time to add the Lindell 50 to a back to back video!

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

That and the 9099 both need to find their way into some vids!! Our friends at PA are dripping so many new toys I can’t keep up! 😂😂. Have a good weekend Sean 👊🏼✌🏼

[@soulsonic]

@@InTheMixJoeCarrell The AMEK 9099 has quickly become my new favorite! Headroom to rival the SSL 9kJ and enough utility to need little else. AND THE SOUND! Sheesh. Looking forward to your take on the latest. CHEERS!

[@MBGA123]

Thanks a lot

[@colaboytje]

Focusrite for me. Warm sound without being muddy. I would add a 10k shelf on top of it. It's just what you like that matters. I like a 'live organic' sound.

[@strangersun7721]

Yep. Lindell and the SSL 9000 like others have said. I wandered in the wilderness of the Schepp's Omni for a while, but I'm going back to the SSLs. This is a great video. Thank you so much.

[@mariostresow9755]

Thanks for the nice demonstration. Quite right what you said: There isn´t one "the best". They all have their characters. Also at the end it comes down to your taste and how you can handle these different channel strips. Cheers, Mario.

[@TANKSINATRA289]

Joe Carrell is a guarantee

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

KNIGHTEAR RECORDS thanks man!

[@ricardoayala2023]

All sound great, but I like the most the Focusrite.

[@llrhinc]

The Lindell and the SSL 9000 is a winner for me. I definitely like the bottom in and top smooth part of the SSL 9000. Can't wait for you guys to make the API style plugins. Great job as always Joe!

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@marcosgarcia6899]

They already made an API Channel Strip!Check Lindell 50 in the Plugin Alliance website. Really lovely plugin🙌🏻

[@just2comment2]

Lindell 80 is one of the few things i have on my mixbus, it just helps everything sound better.

[@kianhendrick3794]

Lindell 80 rules then the SSL 9000 J !

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thank you!

[@JoaoRelego]

Lindell and SSL 9000 sound great for me. Already have the Lindell, I'll definitely get the 9000. I'm waiting for an API style from Plugin Alliance!

[@jloiben12]

I would so much rather have an api console then the Telefunken compressor/saturator they just put out. Let’s get it PA

[@InTheMixJoeCarrell]

Jared Loiben the API is coming 👊🏼

[@jloiben12]

Joe Carrell Don’t do that. Don’t give me hope

[@chris-rb7bm]

Console_API_!cool

[@RicheyAmigoHerplerGaming]

@@jloiben12 its release date is in october

[@joserami2966]

Lindel 80 sounds great, but for this song I like the SSL9000J

[@ericlee5935]

so cool, i really like the 9000

[@itsnopez]

Yeh that was my fav although the Lindel sounded great too.

[@juricabura8967]

I like Focusrite and 9000 more than others. The sound so pleasing

[@GeoZero]

That 9000J sounded great for this song. It reminded me sonically of Take My Breath Away by Berlin.

[@TheOgruffydd]

I have the SSL E and the Neve strips. I've listened to the phase differences of both and they do change the sound even without any processing applied. Interestingly, the SSL mainly colours only the low-end but the Neve colours the entire spectrum. The difference is very subtle (especially with no processing) but try running audio through multiple strips and you will hear the difference!

[@OCTO8R]

What would You say about Neve strip? What are Your impressions of usage?

[@TheOgruffydd]

@@OCTO8R It's all very good The EQ has a shiny top end, fat mids and a really full bottom - all features I'd expect to hear from experience using the UAD 88RS. It can also do a tighter Q's than the SSL. Unless I want to focus on a single frequency, you can definitely get 'surgical' with it. On some sources the compressor does compete with the stand-alone compressor plugins I own as it definitely brought something new to the palette - In some situations I might choose it over a compressor plugin, especially if I'm already using the strip for the EQ's. I also learned from it that you can't judge the sound too much based on what type of compressor it is (VCA) as it did have a particular warmth to it, not what I'd usually expect from a VCA. I tend to not use channel strip gates much because they do lack lookahead which is quite important for transparency and retaining transients imo. The TMT is cool. Wouldn't really care if it didn't have it though. One very small issue I have with it is that the knobs don't move very smoothly

[@OCTO8R]

@@TheOgruffydd Thank You!!!

[@ostrol1590]

I leaned back HARD when the SSL J came on

[@f0kxi]

My favorite from these examples is either the console N or SSL 9000. The console N has this tight clarity but also felt like the mids were scooped or something, the guitar sound was really pleasing. The 9000 felt the most modern and exciting, but also had some frequencies I didn’t dig as much in the mid range

[@chaddonal4331]

Right, the snare on the N was amazing! I could see doing his mix with the 9k and then the N on just the snare.

[@carlasker9285]

I use the Lindell 80 and I really like it. I would really like a Trident A Console channel strip by Brainworx, it would be kick-ass for vintage rock.

[@PluginAllianceTV]

Thanks for letting us know!

[@buhlir]

@@PluginAllianceTV Yes I have really wanted that as well! Or the holly grail EMI TG12345, Id go absolutely crazy for an EMI TG series desk. Or any model TG

[@Fwuzeem]

I favourite is the SSL 4000 G Brown

[@audiodude2385]

Very cool