Slate Digital SD-PE1 - Does It Suck?

Today we're taking a look at the brand new plugin by Slate Digital. Their take on the infamous Pultec! The question is...how does it stack up against its rivals?
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - First Look
02:18 - UAD Pultec Baseline
03:24 - How Does It Sound?
04:02 - UAD vs Slate
05:04 - Initial Reaction and Thoughts
05:55 - Matching The Two
07:54 - Final Thoughts
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[@OliverShillito]

I have since tried the comparison again with the bandwidth set the same and unfortunately to me, the Slate version still sounds wooly and falls a little short of my expectations. If you want another shorter follow up video to hear for yourselves, let me know and I'll do it!

[@The_Doc_Rocks]

Problem comparing subtle differences in audio on KZbin is that most of us out here in Da Toob-land can't hear the differences. The KZbin compression algorithm plays silly buggers with audio, plus most of us are not listening to this on calibrated studio monitors or even high quality headphones. I have pretty good ears, been working in audio for decades, but I can't really hear a real difference - most likely due to the KZbin compression. Also, as somebody else pointed out, the Bandwidth settings were different.

[@OliverShillito]

That’s a fair comment and I will absolutely re-test it with the bandwidth settings the same and if there’s a huge difference in what I’m hearing. I’ll post an update! Appreciate the feedback and thanks for watching

[@NamelessSmile]

If the 'KZbin Compression' renders it unnoticeable then there wasn't a useful difference to begin with

[@svarogstudio]

Although that is generally true for those slight differences, in this example the difference is quite noticeable, especially before he tried to match them more closely. I watched this before even trying it out as I do have All Access, I'm going to have to test it my self. I don't really care how close different plugins sound to each other, rather just how good do they sound in a mix. Even two different hardware Pultecs are going to have differences, sometimes not even that subtle.

[@DMMirval]

Thanks. They can't be the same. There are several things (bias or variable) to consider : UAD have almost 1.5 db of gain in its default status. The amplitude and resolution of the gain knobs are not the same (meaning 3 on UAD is not equal to 3 on other plugins). They are not modeled after the same analog unit. In the analog realm, there are tolerance from unit to unit. That being said, the curves are pretty much the same on both units (checked with Plugin Doctor). But The THD is not the same. In your test, the bandwidth setting is not the same. So, they can't sound the same. Do we need this ? We don't need any plugins. Plugins can be useful. Maybe one already have the VMR Bundle, and find is just convenient to stay in the same "channel strip" concept, instead of open an another plugin window. Or maybe someone don't like (or don't have) the Universal Audio ecosystem. So, it might be a useful thing for users to have options. 😉 Maybe try a test with the same curve and the same gain amplitude, if you want compare "apples to apples".

[@ryancruickshank1868]

Cheers for doing this side by side, saves me having to do it myself lol - I don't think its the best of the bunch but its pretty handy not having to come out of VMR for things like a pultec+distressor combo for kick drum

[@OliverShillito]

Yeah, it definitely has its uses in that context. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not awful but I just guess I expected more from it. In the context of VMR though it’s a winner but if you’re doing something like putting a Pultec on the Mix Buss, UAD all day.

[@tribalcowfish]

I've been using the UAD plugin for a while and have now started using the slate version in place of it. The UAD version adds about 1.5db of gain when inserted, where as the slate version does not add any additional gain. I've done some of my own comparisons but included a 1.5 db reduction in gain to the uad version, and found it difficult to discern any differences between the 2. I've gravitated towards using the slate version now, as when attempting to make subtle changes to a mix, the 1.5db of gain can be a little inpratical.

[@OliverShillito]

Yes I noticed the gain boost also actually but I’ve been using the UAD plugin for so long now I’ve just gotten used to it!

[@tribalcowfish]

@@OliverShillito I would argue that it's possible for the perceived better quality of the UAD plugin is actually as a result of this gain increase rather than any specific sonic quality it has over the slate version. You may hear things I don't, but when I level matched the 2 and tested it for myself, I found it difficult to distinguish a difference between them. On the other hand, before level matching, I didn't feel the UAD was louder than the slate, but rather I perceived it as sounding better. In my opinion it would be worth doing a level matched and blind test of the 2 for fully non bias idea of the sonic differences.

[@Notinserviceij]

​@@tribalcowfishthr original pultec does that The legacy plugin from uad doesn't I believe (I can't remember it may be the other way around)

[@davidpodosek9485]

Hi Oliver thanks for this side by Compare. I noticed that the Bandwidth setting was "5" on the SD-PE1 and Zero on the UA. So, I don't think they are exactly the same settings. I wonder if this makes any difference? Thanks for the review, I appreciate your style and honesty.

[@OliverShillito]

Hey! Thanks a keen eye you’ve got. In truth I hadn’t noticed that myself! 🫣 I’ll check it out and if it makes a huge difference, I’ll post a correction if my opinion of it changes! Like I said in the video, I’m not intentionally trying to be negative so fair is fair! Thanks for watching!

[@Mastenbro]

I think there’s also a bit more saturation in the Slate plugin vs the UA one

[@OliverShillito]

Yes, I think I’m hearing that too perhaps. I’m going to compare them again with the bandwidth the same and see how pronounced the differences are there.

[@TheGarugc]

It also always depends on which hardware version is emulated in the plugin. I don't think you can compare any of the pultec plugins correctly in this way. It is only fair if you reproduce the curves exactly with plugin doctor.

[@OliverShillito]

Interesting. I hadn’t thought of that to be perfectly honest and it’s a good point! Thanks for bringing that up!

[@shineliketko]

Pretty sure the difference is the bandwidth. With slate being at 5 (wider) it's hitting the midrange which is why it's so muddy vs the UAD which you have at zero. I'd say do another comparison maybe? Of course UAD just makes great emulations so I'm sure they'll be different. Nonetheless but would be good to hear!

[@OliverShillito]

Yes. I stupidly didn’t notice this so I’m going to retest it and if the results are massively different. I’ll shoot a follow up video because I aim to be fair and as unbiased as possible!

[@shineliketko]

@@OliverShillito haha it's all good! We all make mistakes

[@marcpeiron_studio]

But you have the bandwidth set differently... However I'm sure UAD one sounds better xd

[@OliverShillito]

I have since tried it with the bandwidth set the same. Unfortunately my opinion hasn't changed. The Slate one still sounds wooly.

[@marcpeiron_studio]

@@OliverShillito Yeah I believe it haha

[@lollipopidi9566]

Did the slate one ever get a discount ?

[@OliverShillito]

Well I got it included as part of the all access pass. If you’re talking about perpetual licenses then I am not sure. I’m not even sure slate still sell perpetual licenses?

[@lollipopidi9566]

@@OliverShillito Yes, they still sell perpetual license. But from what I understand they never go on sale.🤷‍♂

[@metalstrand2795]

Bandwidth/q was set different on each version...

[@OliverShillito]

It was but in practice doesn’t make too much difference I’ve found!

[@NeverMe-Official]

you did not match bandwidth and sample rate (no OS on Slate). moreover you compare pultech with tubetech

[@fataldemo3327]

If the settings of two plugins are the same, there is no need for the two plugins to exist. Just those plugins are different, and categorized into variety Each manufacturer may include different settings using different technologies. Users can create and save many settings, and control various settings with the knob included with the product.

[@OliverShillito]

Sure, unless one sounds objectively worse than the other. One could argue that with so many pultec plugins already in existence, there was no need for Slate to make this at all, especially if it sounds worse than what’s already available. Which I think it does!

[@fataldemo3327]

@@OliverShillito When you try to use Slate Digital pultec products in a positive way, new ideas may arise. Because you own it, you can explore the plugin at any time. happy mixing. 🙂

[@OliverShillito]

@@fataldemo3327 fair enough. Happy mixing indeed!

[@itsgoodjuice]

Do we need it? No… absolutely not. Is it _another pultec_ plugin… yup, and likely has its place. I’ve probably got 4 or 5, and each are different (including the logic stock version). The UA and the Waves are the ones I most use for different things. I dare say, one of the wild and wonderful “quirks” of the original hardware was that they were quite inconsistent, if not out the factory, but over time… this was the pultec way. The numbers mean nothing and the character of each can only be judged on their own merit. I find that plugins often tend to over-egg the character so people really hear the difference, maybe 150% of the original character. We can’t hear the original units on which these plugins were modelled on, and god knows they might even be terrifyingly accurate to their respective bases. You have earned a subscriber because you are clearly a decent mix engineer, but personally I think the goal of this video missed the mark. I also agree with other comments that the compression of KZbin might mask the nuance. Providing some downloadable WAV’s would go along way. Cheers mate.

[@itsgoodjuice]

I’d also like to add that’s it’s a free addition. Some people likely can only afford the 1 subscription (a controversy in its own right), and gives them access to 1 variation of an iconic EQ which, in my opinion, really drives the “mix with your ears not your eyes” mentality which many plugins deprive us of.

[@OliverShillito]

Hey, appreciate the response and the time taken. I do agree that perhaps this is accurate to the unit it was modelled on and I am going to do some more testing and adjust the bandwidth and see if I prefer it more then. I went with my gut reaction at the time and was as honest as possible, did I make some mistakes? yes but I am prepared to correct them! Thank you for watching and subscribing. I appreciate that!

[@itsgoodjuice]

@@OliverShillito thank you for responding! This KZbin gig is a hard slog, and it’s impossible produce a perfect video. Would love to see some comparisons between different plugins, downloadable wavs, and maybe even objective Smaart plots to show each one. Keep it up mate. Cheers.

[@michaelwirth6843]

Slate is a horrible brand I own many of their plugins but I have never got some kind of discount. And the truth is, they always seem to fall short compared to other plugins.

[@OliverShillito]

To be fair I like a lot of their stuff but this time round I must admit this one was a little disappointing

[@michaelwirth6843]

@@OliverShillito Well I kind of like some of their stuff too, until I start to comparing with other plugins.

[@michaelwirth6843]

@@Stormchaser189 I believe it was all about the money and things are just getting worse.

[@OliverShillito]

I like some of their plugins and I still think the bundle represents good value but I agree. Some of their plugins are wretched.