SSL Fusion: Hardware VS Plugins for Mastering

[@barec5122]

Often thought about this. Hardware compared to software. Thank you for working on my song! Sounds amazing! 🥰❤

[@subphotic]

Thanks! And you’re welcome🙌😀

[@DanielPestanaTranslations]

I love these plugins. I use them in the Mix Bus, with the same chain as the hardware and also following the hardware inserts in the hardware user manual, meaning, the SSL Bus Compressor after the Vintage Drive (one of two insert points). Great video. Thank you.

[@subphotic]

Hey, likewise! Thanks for chiming in🙌😀

[@YARDMANMX]

I did not hear any differnce in the plugins versions but it was abvious in the hardware i think with a good converter is the software could work by playing the music from a seperate source going into to the computer with a good conveter would make sense to hear the difference

[@subphotic]

Got another comparison vid in the works. Gotta figure out the tech to give even clearer comparisons. Thanks for checking it out and for commenting🙏🙌

[@richardwashbrook541]

I cant hear the VST working But can hear the difference with the Hardware engaged?

[@subphotic]

Yeah, especially when pushing the vintage drive the hardware is a lot more pronounced. But the Fat button on the violet really made some sweet changes in the low end. Not suitable for every source though

[@subphotic]

also the shine on the transformer reslly resonated with me

[@nadersharif]

First choose a proper music then show us the difference. I couldn't complete the video because of the music example. Is it difficult to choose a good music?

[@MFASonic]

Here comes what always comes (but it is so important): Not level matched! I own and like the Fusion for contemporary tracks, and especially drive and EQ are far better in the hard- than the software. But how could anyone tell it when there are peak diffs of up to 8 dB and RMS diffs up to 6 dB during this showcasing?

[@subphotic]

Hey, thanks for chiming in! Yeah, that's a valid point. I always strive for gain matching, and I usually measure with LUFS, but also RMS side-by-side. I ran a couple of tests and it seemed fine with some slight variation. Must say it was challenging getting it exactly right because I had to make the examples isolated due to the software being unable to record I/O str8 off the bat... I learn as I go. Would you please mind sharing with me the time stamps of the two extremes? It would be helpful, cuz I really don' t want to mess this up in future vids if this is the case! Thanks again:)

[@MFASonic]

@@subphotic Yeah, it's always difficult, I know - those hardware knobs are just too tempting. Just kidding. The difference in both peak and RMS LuFS is not that bad as I have quickly read it out on my first reply. The most significant deviation appears on HF Compressor with -14/-18 (Peak/RMS) on the hardware and -18/-23 on the plugin. For imaging, I read -14/-20 HW and -17/-22 Plugin. For the Vintage Drive tests, I can hardly find any comparable part. But still, 5dB difference still means always double the perceived loudness on the hardware. I wouldn't know any approach that would be completely accurate, but for the A/B testing I can only recommend a RMS matching plugin like TbProAudio AB-LM. Still this will obviously only work as long as you play the same parts of the music then... Anyways, keep up the good work!

[@subphotic]

@@MFASonic really good point you have. I’ll check out that tool tho, always nice to try out new tools. I use Izotope Insight for rms and lufs measurement, and sometimes resort to the stock logic Multimeter. Will def give TB a go. Cheers!

[@SonOfUnagi]

This baltimore rap?

[@subphotic]

Oslo💯