SSL Plugin Shoot Out | SSL Native vs Universal Audio

In this video, I compare the sound difference between the Solid State Logic SSL 400E & the Universal Audio SSL 400E channel strips.
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[@fatuyiibikunle4813]

This is lovely Mr David Vignola. Your EQ made easy and compression made easy tutorials purchased years back and your multi tracks downloaded taught me a lot about mixing.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You're very welcome! Glad the courses helped you.

[@yannickstippel587]

Totally agree! When I started getting into mixing two years ago, Dave's courses taught me everything I needed to get started. Still the best decision :) Thanks Dave, love what you do!

[@michaeltablet8577]

Thank you! Your reviews are always thorough and unbiased.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I appreciate that!

[@SeriousTipStudio]

Hello, good video on comparing SSL software. I like the fact that you buy your own software to do a demo, unlike other KZbin channels.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you

[@JR-bn3ev]

Funny; I don't know if you have the same impression, but there is something in the Voosteq Model N plugin that is making the mix very close to the real thing, even much ahead of these two. 🤔

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I think the SSL native is more the real thing to my ears

[@SHKDWN79]

Not too sure about that but it still is good

[@KamuBodohYaKan]

Well it means that you like Neve-ish sound. I don't. Different person, different taste.

[@srwaite7]

Thanks for doing this vid, Uncle Dave! 👍🏻

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

My pleasure!

[@tee2008j]

UAD is taking forever porting plug-ins its crazy great vid Dave as always

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yea, they move at their own pace for sure

[@lofomuses]

As you likely already know, UAD did make their SSL 4k E (and the G) 'native'... just now! So instantiate as many of these as you need......

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

Thanks Uncle Dave for the video. I agree, choose one and get to mixing and producing. I think people often forget in the analog realm every desk sounds slightly different even if they are the exact model. Those differences is what made each studio sound unique not to mention the additional outboard gear.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@DavidDavis-FA-photog]

I've been going back to my old CLA MixHub. I just like the sound and tweaks that Chris made to the plugin.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@AkiyoshiBeats]

Hey Dave, thanks for doing this comparison. Both sound great, I hear more harmonics and tone from the SSL Native 4K E strip. Especially in the upper mids. Good vid😎

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@boom_shak]

My experience with UAD vs others brands is that UAD tend to overplay their PlugIns a little bit, they are always a bit more extreme, a bit louder, a bit more less subtile... sometimes to me it seem just to be the trick pony. I compared a lot of compressors from UAD and pre´s and in my ear they are often just louder, when levelling equal the difference is more subtile again. But if you use UAD, SSL or IK...best advice is to dial in by ear, not by values.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Yannleon_video]

Great video. :) An other determining factor for me is the way the compressor behaves in the UAD: the "ssl comp trick", where you slowly bring up the ratio while the att, rel are at medium and the threshold at max, works wonder on any tracks. Not so with the SSL Native.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for the input and for watching.

[@mx_3110]

Feels like SSL is brighter

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

A little, I agree

[@Beethovan]

Excellent SSL plugin comparison video my Bro.David. I appreciate it. It saves lot of time for us in choosing the correct plugin.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@lofomuses]

It would be interesting, now that UAD has made this native... to look at UAD vs. SSL versions on DDMF's Plugin Doctor. This would probably explain most of the differences in tonality...?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes sir!

[@mattycdj555]

I have tried both and prefer the UAD. It has much more detailed modelling than the native. If you look closely, you can see three overload indicator lights on the UAD version. This alludes to what they stated they modelled. With regards to harmonic distortion and waveshaping, they modeled the line and mic preamplification, including the Jenson transformer. They modelled the behavior of the eq when overdriven, check out the lights. They also modelled the gold can VCA fader. They cover a lot of ground and to me, is the obvious winner in terms of accuracy. This is why it is so demanding on DSP and CPU cycles. When you overdrive this channel strip, it sounds fantastic. You can blend the preamps various distortions with the eqs distortions and also, the faders too. It makes brainworx look silly with their generic thd knob and no input or output modelling. The SSL Native models both the mics signal patch with the Jenson transformer and the gold can VCA fader but they don't seem to have modelled the eq wen overdriven. I also think their pre amplification modelling is less detailed given they don't offer the line input and mic input without the transformer stage. Way better than brainworx but not uad's.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Illiyinmusic]

The piano just sounds so much better with the UAD. That's what stood out to me. The SSL native darkened/dulled it. Uad it was bright yet "smooth"

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching. Don't forget to get your FREE mixing course www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@Artek604]

Yes, the UAD's plugin has been ported to Native and I'd be interested in comparison of CPU use between the two (don't have the SSL version) :)

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yep, now the SSL is ported to be Native. However, they wan to charge you $50 for that which is bull crap seeing as i paid over $200 for the channel strip when it was on the hardware, so I wont be getting the native version. That is a bull crap money grab and UA should be ashamed of themselves for doing such a thing

[@Artek604]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy Yeah, I can see that. I took the advantage of recent sale, bought 3 plugins for ~$80 + got the Pultec free, so my perspective is different.

[@shineliketko]

Haven't A/B'd these two yet so thank you! I have A/B'd the brainworx vs SSL and I think the brainworx has more life/depth to the sound and a sweeter top and bottom end. Would love UAD to make this SSL model a UADx so I can actually use it. It's so heavy on the DSP chips I never use their SSL plug.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I hear you!

[@Valuedrivenafrica]

The UAD sounds Fuller qnd Warmer, while the Native Sounds thin and Harsh to my Earbuds...

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

UAD strip not native, but I have things that are, LA-2A, Manley Vari-Mu as examples. And my Mac Mini M2 runs them well in Studio One 6.6. I have the SSL strip as well, haven't done much with it just yet. Occupied with other shiny bits in Complete. Great demo Dave, fabulous name. Signed Dave

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Cool! thanks for watching

[@khanartistaudio9207]

SSL E Channel Strip from UAD is now native. it has SC dynamics now. Unfortunately, you have to pay $49 to own the SSL 4000 license.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yea, I saw that which I think is B.S. Thats a money grab by UA fo rsure

[@SaturnVoyager11]

I'd love to see a comparison between this 4000E by UAD and the SSL Native Channel Strip 2. I know they both are based on different desks but it would be amazing to hear how different they are.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Noted!

[@SHKDWN79]

Thank you for this update!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

you got it!

[@Maksitto]

Thats why uad won't release it as a native)) thanks for video) actually ssl sounds great, it has a bit less color. So maybe pushing the preamp section will help in this comparison

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yeah I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@sonicpalacevideos]

Kick sounds punchier on the UAD, but I only have 6 shark chips. I'll have to stick with the SSL. Thanks for the video!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevenkastner5678]

You cannot buy a UAD2 plugin unless you have an Apollo or a Satellite. The UAD online store will prevent the purchase. The advantage to the DSP versions of UAD plugins is that they are loaded into the UA Console 2 application and can be monitored with no discernible latency during tracking. Also adding some of your plug ins via DSP frees up CPU power for more native resource availability. You can think of this as if you were supercharging your car’s engine.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@vektacular]

I am a huge UA user I love UA like you I have the Octo and an Apollo 8 but it’s ridiculous that I spent $4000 on DSP and can only run 10 of those plugins….hopefully things start changing soon….i gotta tell ya though dave that the new waves SSL EV2 is really good and also has that wide option on it….but my favorite to work with by quite a bit is the Brainworx by plug in alliance….not because it sounds way better but because I feel like it’s an easy work flow for me…..I use the SSL 4000 G series for my mixes but sometimes I will change it up.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

$4,000 on DSP to run 10 plugins? That's not accurate. You may want to re-look at those numbers. UA is now starting to go native and you can run endless copies of their API channel strip and eventually, they will have the SSL channel strip available as well.

[@vektacular]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy pretty close….i can run maybe 20 of the SSL 4000 E….i e never really maxed it with that plug in but if you’re recording through the Apollo and you’ll only get about 6 of them on each input….outta the available 8 …..in the box I know it eats up DSP with that plug in as well even with my Octo…..you had 14 going…..I maybe be exaggerating by a little but 6 of those going in is all I get. Inside of the Luna I’ve never maxed it out to see but you had 14 and couldn’t fit anymore….id say $4,000 to have 6 plug ins running into the box and maybe 17 in my case running in a session is still overpriced…..

[@vektacular]

Not 6 on each input….6 inputs with one of them on and that will max out my DSP going in.

[@vektacular]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy sorry to keep coming back….im thinking the latency is the problem when I do the recording into the box thing…..my DSP shuts down when I’m recording through plug ins when my DSP hits 17%….i also notice when I use any plug in labeled “legacy” I use a lot less DSP like the LA2A legacy, Fairchild 670 legacy and also the Harrison 32C

[@Echorek]

totally agree sounds mucho more deep but, do they released the uad bundle native?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@FernandoRoma]

Whats the closest to your ssl origin? Thanks for doing this video!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

None

[@Lennie_peled]

Which one do you prefer the most though, SSL, UAD, PA, Waves?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

SSL Native

[@LuizCarlosJesusdosSantos]

Make about Helios 69 UAD!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

good idea, I actually have that one and have not used it in a bit.

[@LuizCarlosJesusdosSantos]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasyEnjoy the hype of the native launch

[@mx_3110]

are you still using presonus quantum?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

No, just swapped them out for the Anatelope Galaxy 64

[@mx_3110]

Galaxy is expensive. )) I recently saw your comparison quantum and Uad. And sold Uad twin for quantum 2626 as I need more input and output in advance.

[@Gaitchs]

The top Ssl one sound brittle... UAD wins

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@weiranchengfeng]

UAD good

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@dreamTmiRRor]

UAD mix sounds a bit more saturated and alive

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrCool144]

the ssl sounds better when running at 192 khz. when using hq it will atleast double it to 384 khz. enough to remove all digital artifacts. probably even up to 768 khz if its doing 4x. if your computer can handle it the ssl wins.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@JR-bn3ev]

Voosteq Model N is a bit of snake oil in the mix. ☺️👏👏

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

hummmmm, maybe it is

[@CrossingEternityOfficialTV]

SSL 4KB is better than both of this.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

No its not...:)

[@stupidusername38]

UAD have now released the SSL E channel strip and G bus compressor natively

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, you are leaving a comment on a very old video. Thanks for the info

[@stupidusername38]

Are those UAD DSP chips powered by hamsters?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

LOL...they might be