I found the high and low shelves to be better in the ultraviolet. I'm probably imaging it and they are theoretically the same. The ultraviolet all round is well worth the money. Glad you liked the review
I think the SSL Ultraviolet EQ is now one of the true value bargains of the audio industry since they brought the price down. It is tight, clean and punchy and works wonders on the drum bus. The only cons are that it isn't hardwire/true relay bypass and the stereo tracking of the gain potentiometer is quite poor. Another small thing is that even when all controls are at 0 there is a small 0.5dB boost in the high end. These are small cons to deal with when the thing sounds so good...
Paul, we are really struggling with something that i am sure you could help us with. We have a neve portico ii and a neve MBT... but we have space constraints that will drive all remaing master buss chain into 500 series. We are going straight into the portico 2 for stereo width without compression... straight out of your playbook. Right behind that we are struggling with the approach on starting EQ. Our studio caters to 70's thick blues rock guitar... think ZZ Top, Zeppelin, Santana, Clapton, Trower, etc... so we have the inclination to move toward the Neve 3 band circuits with fixed Q and shelving to get the circuit flavors of that era. I would also love to have a more parametric EQ with a variable Q to sweep and make more surgical adjustments... maybe Maag EQ4 or SSL 611 type EQ... there is also the Ultraviolet which seems like a stereo buss version of the SSL E at a better price maybe... keep in mind, the last module on the 500 rack we intend on using the 2264ALB to limit and finish EQ.... so the EQ i am talking here is after stereo width and before an Elysia Nvelope to pull back in transients after the first round of processing in the chain. After the early EQ, we plan on Nvelope, Neve MBT, LASTLY 2264ALB.... So the question is... considering our 70's blues rock studio aspirations, how would you handle the EQ and early compression in this chain? This is all on paper... no money has been spent with the exception of a WesAudio SuperCarrier 2 rack with 11 slots... below is the present concept... your insight is emmensly appreciated: 1) Neve Portico 2 2) SSL 611 EQ or Maag EQ4 3) Neve 551 or 1073LBEQ 3) SSL G-Comp 4) Elysia Nvelope 5) Neve MBT 6) neve 2264ALB (Left) 7) neve 2264ALB (Right) You can't hurt our feelings... it all still on paper except for Neve 19" units... which we absolutely love... how would you setup this chain for the genre we are working in? What modules and what order for 10 slots available would you suggest... don't concern cost... just best available 500 series chain for final mix buss. Thank you so much. We love your channel, been subscribers for a long time Paul. Groove Studio Dallas, Texas
@Groove.Saturation interesting question and a fun one to answer. I wouldn't recommend a SSL ultraviolet EQ as this is a very clean EQ with not much of a sound to it. Unless you wish to add that. But judging by the genre you are referring to I'd say units with a sound of 70's is the way to go. The Maag is a good EQ, again quite clean but gives you an air band and lovely low band. Air band will be beneficial if you want to achieve a more modern brighter sound. Neve 500 series gear is always a great option. You can't fault any of it really. One thing you may get great results using is tape emulation. The rupert neve 542 is a good option for this or you have the Roger Mayer 456hd. I have a video review on our youtube channel on this. Tape emulation will give you a modern sound of your music running on to tape. The shadow hills dual vandergraph is a really good compressor in 500 series format. Quite an expensive module, but my favourite 500 series compressor to date. Another option would be the new heritage audio grandchild. It's fairchild clone in 500 series. It isn't a fairchild of course but it achieves a similar sound. The 2264alb is a brilliant option. You can't go wrong there. Another option that wouldn't be bad is looking at the API EQs. The 550b EQs have a great sound to them. Hope this info helps you.
Great comments Paul - makes perfect sense to consider tape emulation for the style we are seeking - almost all those records in the musical timeline we are working inside were cut on 24-track tape... any EQ that requires more surgical parametric tools could be handled in the box... so moving our focus toward the RND 535 for first series compression on the bus. After your comments, the new draft alignment for a mastering bus chain design would look more like the list below... with reasoning and approach in parenthesis - you have made comments before to go into mastering with a well-understood approach and intent - we are trying to stay true to that by stating our goals with each stage of the chain here... would be very curious if you agree with this reasoning in tandem with the ordering sequence as stated below. The heavy guitar-driven sounds of the 70's blues-rock era were made with many of these products or their predecessors... We are not trying to create a Neve console here but one would not be faulted for thinking that considering this list below... it is like a Neve commercial maybe... one good thing about Neve products for us here in Texas is that these products are designed and made here in Texas. I had a Neve Portico MBP failure about a year ago and simply drove it down to a tech at their manufacturing facility in Wimberley, Texas - the tech popped the top and had a new diode on a circuit board in 10 minutes - then proceeded to give us a tour of their facilities which was fascinating. The AMS Neve company is a separate licensed entity in the UK and it is unassociated with the main branch of the Neve company in the US as explained by the tech at Neve - you can see easily that the products they produce are different in look and feel - both are awesome companies making awesome products but different. The tech also explained to us that Rupert Neve, who lived in Wimberley would still come through the shop and check their work into his 90's indicating that he was very passionate about his products... it was abundantly clear that he was loved by his employees and that he was missed. I think you have helped us zero-in on a more appropriate mastering chain for our intent... look forward to your comments on the list below... community views and experience are welcomed too... we are not ashamed to steal good ideas from anywhere - thanks. 1) Neve Portico II (No Compression - Silk - Stereo Field) 2) Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator (70’s Flavor, Silk & Low-End) 3) Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor Equalizer (EQ, HPF & Shelving) 4) Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor (Glue) 5) Elysia Nvelope Transient Shaper (Pull out Compressed Transients) 6) Neve MBT (Add back compressed Width & Silk) 7) Neve 2264ALB Limiter/Compressor (Limiter with finish compression)
Thanks for a great video. Wondering what you use SSL XL Desk for and curious to listen from you about its sound quality. Thanks for all your efforts putting great videos for us. Best.
I no longer have the X Desk but when I did, I would use it as my summing console paired with the SSL x rack summing modules. Very good quality summing mixer.
@GuitarMania-f5u no it's almost identical to the plugin. Doesn't really have a sound to it. Which is why I guess SSL reduced the price from £999 to £399. It has a good sound to it but nothing special you can't achieve using their plugin.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thank you very much for this answer. So can Carnaby 500 be purchased? I think it contributes a lot to the mix bus harmonically. Say what? Thanks
@GuitarMania-f5u the Carnaby is really good. More miltiband saturation instead of EQ though. The Carnaby contributes a lot more. I'd recommend getting the HE2 though.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio I think it would be more logical to buy a Carnaby 500 for my Cranborne Audio 500 unit than buying an Ultraviolet EQ. I'm also thinking of Zahl Eq1. I gave up on ultraviolet with your answer. Thank you very much. I'm following with interest :)
I wouldn't have it as my only eq for boosting the low end. As you only have the option of shelf and don't have the option of a Q and Bell. So you are limited slightly in that regard. But the shelf is incredibly good. You have the roll off too. So what I found nice was rolling off the bass and using it almost like a BAX EQ to add more bass whilst removing the boom.
Hey nice vid! Is it redundant to have both the fusion and ultraviolet? I I have a fusion, which I love and just ordered the ultraviolet. Been having second thoughts. Thanks!
If they are intended for the same channel then yes. But if you intend them to sit on different channels it'll be very useful to have two. The Ultraviolet EQ is in the fusion but it only has the two shelf bands. The 500 series version has the added 2 mid bands. But I would honestly say you are doubling up if you intend the fusion and ultraviolet eq to be used together.
I have the fusion and I bought one too. The LMF and HMF confused me. I did not think or made it sound better. I thanks that I did not understand how it worked but your video made me realize that the mid is for the low on the left and high on the right. Now I need to go back and play with it more now that I understand it. I do love the trim and filters. What does the focus do to the cue?
@AudioAnimalsStudio I can understand b3cause has happen to me same with ssl fusion I paid it 2 grand now is 300 down...but at this round I will take it
what do you think about SSL E 500 MKII Series vs UV as only analog eq For Mixing and i wanna more sound like 9000k i boost high end a lot you will help me a lot what to choose ❤
@@AudioAnimalsStudio ssl say Mk2 is the same as first one but with new look ... is UV high smoother than ssl e mk1? so if i like 9000k too but i can purchase one eq from ssl what close to that sound
@@AudioAnimalsStudio okay thanks because I was thinking about chaining it with the heritage symph eqhaving use ot yet just buying alot of different gear going hybridmixing and mastering trying differentthings to have a differentsound from the rest. Just thinking on the way when my new desk get here how im going to chain up differently from the rest.
Just a name this isn’t true Ssl. But cheap made in China junk just look at the price these will soon be selling 350 second hand. 499 new. Stick with neve.
Hard working customer who has the right to leave an honest comment or review. If ssl has any problem with that then Please feel free to contact me to discuss this topic.
Absolutely I agree. That’s why real high end equipment isn’t made with cheap components and isn’t cheap. The eqs are so good this guy bought two and sold them two months later. Real pro audio kit isn’t cheap.
Great review with audio and hardware seen! Keep em coming.
Thank you for the Demo.
Great Stereo unit, sounds incredible good.
Great review, I love the 2 band in my fusion and keen to get the 4 band version
I found the high and low shelves to be better in the ultraviolet. I'm probably imaging it and they are theoretically the same. The ultraviolet all round is well worth the money. Glad you liked the review
What chassis /enclosure would you recommend to put them into?
@@infojunkie4989anyone that supply’s enough power
I think the SSL Ultraviolet EQ is now one of the true value bargains of the audio industry since they brought the price down. It is tight, clean and punchy and works wonders on the drum bus. The only cons are that it isn't hardwire/true relay bypass and the stereo tracking of the gain potentiometer is quite poor. Another small thing is that even when all controls are at 0 there is a small 0.5dB boost in the high end. These are small cons to deal with when the thing sounds so good...
Paul, we are really struggling with something that i am sure you could help us with.
We have a neve portico ii and a neve MBT... but we have space constraints that will drive all remaing master buss chain into 500 series.
We are going straight into the portico 2 for stereo width without compression... straight out of your playbook. Right behind that we are struggling with the approach on starting EQ. Our studio caters to 70's thick blues rock guitar... think ZZ Top, Zeppelin, Santana, Clapton, Trower, etc... so we have the inclination to move toward the Neve 3 band circuits with fixed Q and shelving to get the circuit flavors of that era. I would also love to have a more parametric EQ with a variable Q to sweep and make more surgical adjustments... maybe Maag EQ4 or SSL 611 type EQ... there is also the Ultraviolet which seems like a stereo buss version of the SSL E at a better price maybe... keep in mind, the last module on the 500 rack we intend on using the 2264ALB to limit and finish EQ.... so the EQ i am talking here is after stereo width and before an Elysia Nvelope to pull back in transients after the first round of processing in the chain. After the early EQ, we plan on Nvelope, Neve MBT, LASTLY 2264ALB....
So the question is... considering our 70's blues rock studio aspirations, how would you handle the EQ and early compression in this chain?
This is all on paper... no money has been spent with the exception of a WesAudio SuperCarrier 2 rack with 11 slots... below is the present concept... your insight is emmensly appreciated:
1) Neve Portico 2
2) SSL 611 EQ or Maag EQ4
3) Neve 551 or 1073LBEQ
3) SSL G-Comp
4) Elysia Nvelope
5) Neve MBT
6) neve 2264ALB (Left)
7) neve 2264ALB (Right)
You can't hurt our feelings... it all still on paper except for Neve 19" units... which we absolutely love... how would you setup this chain for the genre we are working in? What modules and what order for 10 slots available would you suggest... don't concern cost... just best available 500 series chain for final mix buss.
Thank you so much. We love your channel, been subscribers for a long time Paul.
Groove Studio
Dallas, Texas
@Groove.Saturation interesting question and a fun one to answer. I wouldn't recommend a SSL ultraviolet EQ as this is a very clean EQ with not much of a sound to it. Unless you wish to add that. But judging by the genre you are referring to I'd say units with a sound of 70's is the way to go.
The Maag is a good EQ, again quite clean but gives you an air band and lovely low band. Air band will be beneficial if you want to achieve a more modern brighter sound.
Neve 500 series gear is always a great option. You can't fault any of it really. One thing you may get great results using is tape emulation. The rupert neve 542 is a good option for this or you have the Roger Mayer 456hd. I have a video review on our youtube channel on this. Tape emulation will give you a modern sound of your music running on to tape.
The shadow hills dual vandergraph is a really good compressor in 500 series format. Quite an expensive module, but my favourite 500 series compressor to date. Another option would be the new heritage audio grandchild. It's fairchild clone in 500 series. It isn't a fairchild of course but it achieves a similar sound.
The 2264alb is a brilliant option. You can't go wrong there.
Another option that wouldn't be bad is looking at the API EQs. The 550b EQs have a great sound to them.
Hope this info helps you.
Great comments Paul - makes perfect sense to consider tape emulation for the style we are seeking - almost all those records in the musical timeline we are working inside were cut on 24-track tape... any EQ that requires more surgical parametric tools could be handled in the box... so moving our focus toward the RND 535 for first series compression on the bus. After your comments, the new draft alignment for a mastering bus chain design would look more like the list below... with reasoning and approach in parenthesis - you have made comments before to go into mastering with a well-understood approach and intent - we are trying to stay true to that by stating our goals with each stage of the chain here... would be very curious if you agree with this reasoning in tandem with the ordering sequence as stated below. The heavy guitar-driven sounds of the 70's blues-rock era were made with many of these products or their predecessors...
We are not trying to create a Neve console here but one would not be faulted for thinking that considering this list below... it is like a Neve commercial maybe... one good thing about Neve products for us here in Texas is that these products are designed and made here in Texas. I had a Neve Portico MBP failure about a year ago and simply drove it down to a tech at their manufacturing facility in Wimberley, Texas - the tech popped the top and had a new diode on a circuit board in 10 minutes - then proceeded to give us a tour of their facilities which was fascinating. The AMS Neve company is a separate licensed entity in the UK and it is unassociated with the main branch of the Neve company in the US as explained by the tech at Neve - you can see easily that the products they produce are different in look and feel - both are awesome companies making awesome products but different. The tech also explained to us that Rupert Neve, who lived in Wimberley would still come through the shop and check their work into his 90's indicating that he was very passionate about his products... it was abundantly clear that he was loved by his employees and that he was missed.
I think you have helped us zero-in on a more appropriate mastering chain for our intent... look forward to your comments on the list below... community views and experience are welcomed too... we are not ashamed to steal good ideas from anywhere - thanks.
1) Neve Portico II (No Compression - Silk - Stereo Field)
2) Rupert Neve Designs 542 Tape Emulator (70’s Flavor, Silk & Low-End)
3) Rupert Neve Designs 551 Inductor Equalizer (EQ, HPF & Shelving)
4) Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor (Glue)
5) Elysia Nvelope Transient Shaper (Pull out Compressed Transients)
6) Neve MBT (Add back compressed Width & Silk)
7) Neve 2264ALB Limiter/Compressor (Limiter with finish compression)
Thanks for a great video. Wondering what you use SSL XL Desk for and curious to listen from you about its sound quality. Thanks for all your efforts putting great videos for us.
Best.
I no longer have the X Desk but when I did, I would use it as my summing console paired with the SSL x rack summing modules. Very good quality summing mixer.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thank you very much Paul.
Hello, I am thinking of buying this eq. From what I read, you sold it. Weren't you satisfied? Would you recommend? Thank you
@GuitarMania-f5u no it's almost identical to the plugin. Doesn't really have a sound to it. Which is why I guess SSL reduced the price from £999 to £399. It has a good sound to it but nothing special you can't achieve using their plugin.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thank you very much for this answer. So can Carnaby 500 be purchased? I think it contributes a lot to the mix bus harmonically. Say what? Thanks
@GuitarMania-f5u the Carnaby is really good. More miltiband saturation instead of EQ though. The Carnaby contributes a lot more. I'd recommend getting the HE2 though.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio I think it would be more logical to buy a Carnaby 500 for my Cranborne Audio 500 unit than buying an Ultraviolet EQ. I'm also thinking of Zahl Eq1. I gave up on ultraviolet with your answer. Thank you very much. I'm following with interest :)
@@GuitarMania-f5u yes would be ideal if you already have a Cranborne rack.
Very nice review! This EQ sounds wonderful. What do you think about it for boosting low end (bass) in the mix bus? Cheers
I wouldn't have it as my only eq for boosting the low end. As you only have the option of shelf and don't have the option of a Q and Bell. So you are limited slightly in that regard. But the shelf is incredibly good. You have the roll off too. So what I found nice was rolling off the bass and using it almost like a BAX EQ to add more bass whilst removing the boom.
Solid State Logic SSL UV EQ Module 500 and SSL is a great chain for Mastering.?
Hey nice vid! Is it redundant to have both the fusion and ultraviolet? I I have a fusion, which I love and just ordered the ultraviolet. Been having second thoughts. Thanks!
If they are intended for the same channel then yes. But if you intend them to sit on different channels it'll be very useful to have two. The Ultraviolet EQ is in the fusion but it only has the two shelf bands. The 500 series version has the added 2 mid bands. But I would honestly say you are doubling up if you intend the fusion and ultraviolet eq to be used together.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio thanks so much! I think I’m going to keep it.
Feels like playing Ridge Racer
Is that an SSL X-Desk above the UV EQs? Ive been looking at summing mixers lately and the x-desk looks interesting.
Yes it is. It's a good summing mixer.
Is this a stereo eq or would I need to buy a second one?
The ultraviolet is a stereo EQ
yo sliding these units in for the first time a struggle and a half
@musiqah3849 especially if you have units either side of them
I have the fusion and I bought one too. The LMF and HMF confused me. I did not think or made it sound better. I thanks that I did not understand how it worked but your video made me realize that the mid is for the low on the left and high on the right. Now I need to go back and play with it more now that I understand it. I do love the trim and filters. What does the focus do to the cue?
Good review.
Now that the price drops drastically down I will take one.....but still I don't get why ssl did it
I paid £999 each for these. I was not impressed when they slashed the price.
@AudioAnimalsStudio I can understand b3cause has happen to me same with ssl fusion I paid it 2 grand now is 300 down...but at this round I will take it
what do you think about SSL E 500 MKII Series vs UV as only analog eq For Mixing and i wanna more sound like 9000k i boost high end a lot you will help me a lot what to choose ❤
I haven't used the mk2 yet. I have used the mk1 though and preferred the 9000k series eq. The high end on the ultraviolet is really good.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio ssl say Mk2 is the same as first one but with new look ... is UV high smoother than ssl e mk1?
so if i like 9000k too but i can purchase one eq from ssl what close to that sound
@@mohabosama the ultraviolet is smoother in the high frequency I find. If you need mono go with the e 500. If you want stereo go with the uv.
thank you so much 💓 💗
Why’d u get two if the stereo?
So they can be used twice on multiple chains.
how would you be mainly using the ultra eq on
I use the ultraviolet on drums and vocals.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio thank you highly appreciated it
It's a great all round eq for anything you want to use it for really.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio okay thanks because I was thinking about chaining it with the heritage symph eqhaving use ot yet just buying alot of different gear going hybridmixing and mastering trying differentthings to have a differentsound from the rest. Just thinking on the way when my new desk get here how im going to chain up differently from the rest.
I bought a big six mixing desk and got one for free, unbelievable, now i just need a £700 lunchbox🤣
This is a really deal they have on at the moment.
If I have to choose between the fusion and the ultraviolet what should I buy first?
for mastering
The fusion. The ultraviolet is great but the fusion brings more to the table. The fusion is a great foundation to build a mastering chain off.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thank you❤️
Very cool got my6 waiting for velvet eq,and my big 6 great videos ❤
the Ultraviolet's Price Just Dropped to 499 CRID
Are you serious? That's a steal.
@@AudioAnimalsStudio in america they dropped the price on all 500 Series I'm not sure if its the same in England
@@jacintonegro at that price I'll get them imported
It’s insane. At that price, I had to order one.
I just ordered 2 violets 2 SIx Channel 2 G Channels and the compressor all 500 Series, those prices are insane for Real SSL Gear,
I get the feeling this bloke is keen on SSL.
i wonder why you say this...lol
Prob sponsored to promote cheap stuff. He sold them two months later on eBay there that good lol 😂
Also I he was lucky to get his money back what he paid. Some other less fortunate.
@@dimensionstudioslondon I just ordered one I have the big six and fusion do you recommend this eq or something for mabe a mastering comp and eq
Bought mine for 499 😊
Crazy how cheap they are now. A great stereo EQ for that price, you really can't go wrong.
Just a name this isn’t true Ssl. But cheap made in China junk just look at the price these will soon be selling 350 second hand. 499 new. Stick with neve.
Hard working customer who has the right to leave an honest comment or review. If ssl has any problem with that then
Please feel free to contact me to discuss this topic.
Just got the SSL GBus at $1200. Guess what? It sounds great! I’m sure these sound great too! We’ll all vote with our wallets.
Absolutely I agree. That’s why real high end equipment isn’t made with cheap components and isn’t cheap. The eqs are so good this guy bought two and sold them two months later. Real pro audio kit isn’t cheap.
The g bus is great up isn’t.
lol this guy writing same stuff on every video