SSL 4000 Series Console Bundle Reviews

I switched from the API channel to the SSL because I found the SSL did a better job of permitting the color of my microphone come through, with minimal additional coloration of its own. The compressor is also more pleasing to my ears, contributing energy without calling unwanted attention to itself.

The expander is a disappointment, though. The lowest threshold it allows is -30 dB, and both the compressor and expander lack attack, ratio, and knee controls. I understand the plugin is intended to emulate, as closely as possible, the hardware unit it's modeled on. I'm saying that, precisely because of those constraints, for my use case (recording audiobook narration), the expander is useless.

I've A/B'd probably 6 different versions of this plug-in and the UA responds the way you'd expect the actual console to respond. Too many companies make this plug-in with programmatic fluff that sounds immediately pleasing to the ears on a solo'd track, but UA got it right for what recording/mixing would feel like in the real world. The fact that there's now a legacy version for running native in my DAW plus one that utilizes the hardware DSP just makes it that much better.

My only wish at this point is that I had an interface with the unity preamps to work in conjunction with their plug-ins. I guess I'll have to just get on that...