UAD Neve Comp better than Waves SSL Bus Comp on the mixbus?

[uebermann303]

I just wondered if i need it when i already have the Waves SSl Bundle with the G-Master Bus Compressor. Did someone make any testings or comparisons between them? Do any pro's here know the original hardware units and can make suggestions?

Thanks a lot

Chris

 

[F5D]

I would like to know too. Anyway, I'm gonna purchase an iLok next week and test the ssl bundle. Can somebody also tell how much the ssl plugins need cpu to run?

 

[Janardana]

I've made also this comparision today. SSL gives more punch since NEVE has better (though colored) bass and overal glue. They sound very simmilar in terms of quality.

 

[bedhoe]

My very personal opinion: The neve is much more versatile than the Waves SSL. I think it is darn right amazing!
You should check the demo though.

I would not say that the SSL takes too much CPU power. Atleast not if you have a good up to date system.

 

[Plec]

When I tried the Waves SSL I wasn't too blown away. I think that and PSP Mastercomp were the best master comp software choices around though. I've tried the SSL bundle but IMO the UAD stuff us just way more useable. You get the mastercomp, channelstrip and EQ you know, but I never found that they added anything to my trax that the UAD plugins didn't do better.

As for the Neve 33609, I've just tried it and really liked it. It's by far the best \"model\" compressor that I've ever heard.. WAY more accurate and analogue sounding than the Waves SSL. IMHO I'd say that the UAD 1176, LA2A, Farichild might be around 50-60% accurate to the real deal but I truly feel that the new Neve compressor is somewhere in the 80-90% region when you compare to the real deal.

 

[svs95]

When I tried the Waves SSL I wasn't too blown away. I think that and PSP Mastercomp were the best master comp software choices around though. I've tried the SSL bundle but IMO the UAD stuff us just way more useable. You get the mastercomp, channelstrip and EQ you know, but I never found that they added anything to my trax that the UAD plugins didn't do better.

As for the Neve 33609, I've just tried it and really liked it. It's by far the best "model" compressor that I've ever heard.. WAY more accurate and analogue sounding than the Waves SSL. IMHO I'd say that the UAD 1176, LA2A, Farichild might be around 50-60% accurate to the real deal but I truly feel that the new Neve compressor is somewhere in the 80-90% region when you compare to the real deal.

Hey, Plec, me too. The SSL sounds too soft and pumps too much for my taste on a bus or master bus, but can be OK as a track compressor.

But the 33609 on the master buss is awesome. I don't think I've ever heard anything that potentially effective yet tonally transparent (in mastering mode, i.e. 14dB Headroom setting), inside a DAW without bouncing out to analog first! Right on target, UA!!

svs95

 

[lordward]

When I tried the Waves SSL I wasn't too blown away. I think that and PSP Mastercomp were the best master comp software choices around though. I've tried the SSL bundle but IMO the UAD stuff us just way more useable. You get the mastercomp, channelstrip and EQ you know, but I never found that they added anything to my trax that the UAD plugins didn't do better.

As for the Neve 33609, I've just tried it and really liked it. It's by far the best "model" compressor that I've ever heard.. WAY more accurate and analogue sounding than the Waves SSL. IMHO I'd say that the UAD 1176, LA2A, Farichild might be around 50-60% accurate to the real deal but I truly feel that the new Neve compressor is somewhere in the 80-90% region when you compare to the real deal.

Hey, Plec, me too. The SSL sounds too soft and pumps too much for my taste on a bus or master bus, but can be OK as a track compressor.

But the 33609 on the master buss is awesome. I don't think I've ever heard anything that potentially effective yet tonally transparent (in mastering mode, i.e. 14dB Headroom setting), inside a DAW without bouncing out to analog first! Right on target, UA!!

svs95

Turn off the "Analog" mode on the SSL compressor and it will stop pumping. This is the characteristic of the SSL buss comp.

I've been comparing the 2 as well yesterday. Both are good in different situations. On my P4, 3.2 gig computer I have 3 UAD cards. I can use 4 stereo 33609s and with the SSL I've maxed out with 30 (stereo)....... We (I) need a more powerful card to make this plugin worth buying. I like it though!

DW

 

[svs95]

Turn off the "Analog" mode on the SSL compressor and it will stop pumping. This is the characteristic of the SSL buss comp.

I've been comparing the 2 as well yesterday. Both are good in different situations. On my P4, 3.2 gig computer I have 3 UAD cards. I can use 4 stereo 33609s and with the SSL I've maxed out with 30 (stereo)....... We (I) need a more powerful card to make this plugin worth buying. I like it though!

Hey, DW, thanks for the tip on the SSL, I'll have to try that. I always thought, "Hmm, why wouldn't I want an 'analog' sound?" Didn't realize it affects the gain reduction response.

As for the Neve maxing out the UAD card, I know this is hard to believe, but the SE version on this thing is almost impossible to tell apart from the full version in a high-incidence-count tracking situation. It's VERY close on a master bus. Do a phase-cancellation between the two and listen to the difference signal. Not much there!

Before I get flamed, let me stress that I have not said it's impossible to tell the difference - only that it's VERY hard to hear. Not at all like the other UAD-1 full-vs-SE versions. Seriously, check it out!

svs95

 

[RWIL]

Before I get flamed, let me stress that I have not said it's impossible to tell the difference - only that it's VERY hard to hear. Not at all like the other UAD-1 full-vs-SE versions. Seriously, check it out!

Until now, that's what I feel too.

 

[Trebor Flow 2]

Yup - it's a 33609.

Bugger - wish they'd done the G384 instead of Waves.

Great if you like a 33609 (very very close emulation).

Oh well -

Trebor (ed)

 

[Stag]

Some people can´t demo it, it seems the PCI dongle is broken.
Anyway untill 64x drivers are not released i don´t even bother to fire up UAD.

 

[Tony Ostinato]

a little more concerned with getting the best sound than i am with getting the best computer.

after all sound is what they hear, and cd's are still 16bit and nobody seems too concerned about that.

 

[Eric Dahlberg]

The full version 33609 provides more glue than even a real hardware SSL compressor, so much so that I'd be afraid it might be a bit heavy-handed for some material. IOW, there's no way to answer this question accurately because it's application-specific.

 

[bröselmind]

I recently have mixed three song (electro, house). On one song the SSL (Hardware) sounded better on the drum bus, on two of them the Neve (Software) was my favourite. I have also tried the Neve on another song I have already mixed and the SSL still sounded better.
So 2:2, the game ended in a tie.
Electro = SSL, House = Neve.

 

[Revelation]

I just wondered if i need it when i already have the Waves SSl Bundle with the G-Master Bus Compressor. Did someone make any testings or comparisons between them? Do any pro's here know the original hardware units and can make suggestions?

Thanks a lot

Chris

The Waves SSL is a little more transparent, and on a bus does a very good job in controlling transiants and helping the music to gel. The Neve has a little more color and on some songs you will prefer the Neve and on other songs you will prefer the SSL. However the Waves Ren. compressor with no arc and the smooth button on (over the warmth), it sounds very close to the Neve compressor......so much that I can't see paying for the Neve. However if I did not have the Waves Ren, I would get the Neve.