Solid State Logic Fusion Review

In this video I review the Solid State Logic Fusion mix bus processor. An incredible sounding unit with lots of features and hidden Easter eggs. I'm a big fan of the SSL Fusion and own two units, one for each mastering studio. But there is one thing I don't like about the Fusion.
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[@AndrewCCM]

Wow!! Mine does not have that noise from Vintage Drive.

[@DnBLand81]

So true.. I have one and the only use that I have with vintage drive is on tracking.....not useable on mastering

[@dshore22]

Many thanks, great demonstration and stellar beats! Sounds awesome!

[@DrBrunoDzogovic]

The noise that comes in the background is an intentional relay noise that can be used to add that vintage character to a song, if desired. It can be turned off if you press a right combination of buttons on the unit. The SSL fusion is famous about its hidden features that the vendor reveals over time.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

What is the combination of buttons?

[@DrBrunoDzogovic]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio It's in the manual of SSL fusion under the section "Settings Mode and Factory Reset" > "Relay feedback"

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@DrBrunoDzogovic you can't be serious? That just turns the click of the buttons off. The relay switch has nothing to do with the noise in the vintage drive.

[@vigneshkarthikeyan8174]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio cranking both produces no noise. The distortion is subtractive looks like. Its definitely usable

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@vigneshkarthikeyan8174 what mastering engineer in their right mind is going to use a vintage drive circuit on max drive.

[@joelhume1]

I reduce the input gain so I can push the vintage drive harder to reduce the hiss with out overloading the vintage drive too much. Though I agree, I wouldn’t use it in mastering. Mine lives on the drum buss with a pair of Neve Portico 2 channels in mid/side. Killer combo.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Great combo. Yes that's a great workaround for in the mix. In the master it isn't practical. It annoys me as the vintage drive would be great in the mastering phase if we didn't have to introduce noise.

[@joelhume1]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio totally agree. It’s a bummer, and seems like an oversight.

[@zweiklangmusic]

Can you use every (stereo) EQ in mid-side insert mode? Because I think for compressors, the compressor must be in dual mono to run in mid-side insert mode. I guess that stereo compressors are not working in mid-side insert mode. What EQs do you use in your studio in mid-side insert mode?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes the EQ as well as compressor would need to be dual mono and have independent control over the left and right sides. We use the Maselec MEA-2, Elysia MusEQ, Maag EQ4m, Kush Clariphonic and SPL PQ in mid side.

[@patrickalphenaar]

Ok, so I understand and agree you dont want to bring “noise” into Mastering, but what if somebody send you a mix while they used the Vintage Drive you have to deal with the same noise right when Mastering? So then the whole vintage Drive is pretty useless. I am waiting for my Fusion to be delivered and cant wait! Yea i will “denoise properly” when using it for Mastering, but i love the saturation from the vintage Drive and the noise reduces when using the knobs. Cheers and nice vid!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes the more you drive the vintage drive it'll reduce the amount of noise. And you are correct the vintage drive sounds amazing. For me it doesn't get used in mastering because of the noise and that if you drive it to reduce the noise it's driven too hard for mastering. If it's used in the mix it's still increased in the mastering. But if you have access to the stem you can de-noise.

[@dannydaniel8975]

Mine does not have any noise at all from the vintage drive...as a matter of fact, it's pretty damn quiet when engaged....

[@future_Victoryofficial]

@@dannydaniel8975really I'm waiting for my too but I'm just afraid of the noise.

[@dannydaniel8975]

@@future_Victoryofficial I don't have it anymore.. I traded it for something else.

[@future_Victoryofficial]

Vintage driver noise is the problem 😪

[@mhstoregameon]

Hi. Can you suggest any plugin or analog gear that can replace the Vintage Drive feature please?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The plugin version would be an OK option. The Oven is a good alternative.

[@mhstoregameon]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio thanks

[@chris_johnson_music]

Thinking of using my RN MBP2 on the insert off the fusion and having that run in mid/side. I currently have a TK Audio BC1 Compressor on the insert.... Does this sound like a better idea?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

For me personally I don't use the Neve as a compressor as I have an Elysia Alpha and Unfairchild 670m II further down the chain which are much better EQs. The Neve is ridiculously good as a stereo field editor. You can use the compressor in the SFE to use it as dedicated stereo widener. For that purpose it is incredible. Nothing like it on the market. That's how I would use it. I don't actually rate it as a compressor.

[@chris_johnson_music]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thanks, yeah I agree I don't particularly like the comp on the MBP.... I was thinking of using the blue silk for mid and red silk for side with little if any compression. Then using the SFE... Hmmm, I also have the SPL Vitalizer 2T which is great for widening as well as the fusion... Maybe I need to sell the MBP and TK Audio BC1 for a better mastering Comp....

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@chris_johnson_music for everything you are using it for it's at the top of it's game. Don't sell it. I have a vitalizer too and that's nowhere near as good as the MBP SFE. I wouldn't never sell my MBP but I could leave my vitalizer.

[@akagishigeru7226]

I've noticed something odd, when I set Drive and Density to max, noise reduced a few dbs. I clearly saw the noise floor in a detailed EQ. Less intensity and drive = more noise, more intensity & drive = less noise. Shouldn't it be the opposite? I think this device has a few design flaws. I opened the case, the huge weight comes from its top cover :)) It is thick and heavy! This device is full of ICs, Transformers are way too small, PCB mountable.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes, I noticed the same and thought exactly what you thought. I think they thought by adding Vintage to it everyone would just overlook the noise floor as part of it's vintage nature. But in truth, it just makes it unusable.

[@KUMStudio1]

You mentioned Neve at the end. Will you make an video what good we can do with that gear or you already did?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes I want to do a video pairing the fusion and neve together. That's a really powerful chain. Next on the list. Will shoot this beginning of next week.

[@KUMStudio1]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio great!!! Thank you so so much for sharing your knowledge!! 🖖

[@chris_johnson_music]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I hope so! :) Thanks man

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@chris_johnson_music I will always be comparing the fusion plugins to the hardware. See how much of a difference there is. And if in fact the fusion vintage drive plugin is better because it doesn't add noise.

[@jmons33]

Another stellar episode! 😋😋😋😋

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Thank you. Appreciated

[@jackman00110101]

So helpful

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Thank you, what I like to hear.

[@jeroenrusschen8873]

Hi thanks. The more i engage the Vintage Drive the less Noise. But it's true. It is noisy. I absolutely love the Fusion

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes that is true. The more you drive it the less noisey it gets.

[@SuperSerapont]

Do you have these symptoms? I seem to have a problem with SSL FUSION. When I move the DRIVE knob counter-clockwise, I have a bit of noise, more in the right channel than in the left! This can be clearly seen if you put the L2 limiter on the DAW master section, and crank the limiter all the way. I understand that there must be noise, but I'm worried about the difference in the uranium of the left and right channels. I urgently need to find out because my SSL FUSION is still under warranty and sent to dealers! Please watch a video with this problem on my channel, and answer if you have such a difference. Thank you!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes this is normal of the drive. I talk about this in this video as being the reason you can not use this section whilst mastering or you will add lots of noise into your chain. So yes I experience exactly what you experience. Although when my noise is balanced the same left and right. It doesn't lean like yours. This could be due to cables or something outside of the units. It looks to me like your unit is functioning as it should.

[@SuperSerapont]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I tested on different cables, and even on different computers and sound interfaces, but the problem remains in any case, this video is on my channel. The difference in noise level in the left and right channels is obvious. The fact is that SSL manufacturers have recognized this defect. They wanted to exchange me for another SSL FUSION, but they had the same problem. They admitted that they sent these devices with a defect all over the world. It's been six months now and I don't know how it's going to end. In the last letter they wrote that the problem has not yet been resolved, and as soon as they find out what the problem is, then they will inform you what part will need to be bought, changed and calibrated. It will not be possible to replace it yet due to sanctions. In our country, another person returned under warranty with this problem SSL Fusion. I want to understand if this is a factory defect or a design flaw. Because some do not have a difference in the noise level of the right and left channels. Thanks for the answer!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@SuperSerapont I saw your video and yes there is a noise difference between sides. This is certainly not correct. I have come to terms with we have to live with the noise and not use the vintage drive.

[@mistermusicenterprise3148]

mine is without any noise.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Really even if you turn the dials all the way to the left? Did you buy it recently. SSL may have it fixed in newer models. Both of mine are from the first 100 units. Everyone I know with one has noise in their vintage drive.

[@mistermusicenterprise3148]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I bought that lovely thing last week and i push it the input usually quit hard and there is no noise. I heard from that issue before.. i guess they fixed it in this serie.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@mistermusicenterprise3148 that's interesting. I'll swap mine for new ones if that is the case.

[@mistermusicenterprise3148]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Tomorrow I will test it again a little deeper, and let You know it. Cause tomorrow is the first serious work with the Fusion on a actual project. So far, a great box.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@mistermusicenterprise3148 yes please do. It would be great if the newer units had this issue fixed.

[@dimensionstudioslondon]

Built in China lol 😂 really cheap.

[@johnisrael5183]

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