SSL 9000J vs Amek 9099 plugins; what's the difference?
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- In this video I compare the difference on a full mix between using the SSL 9000J console plugin for EQ and compression against using the Amek 9099 plugin for those duties. Both plugins are from @PluginAllianceTV. Can you hear the difference?
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Table of Contents:
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00:00 Intro
00:22 Overview
01:22 Mix rules
02:15 Cubase mix project
03:10 Compare kick sounds
04:47 Compare full mixes
05:52 Conclusion
06:43 Outro
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Relevant Links:
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Mixing Modern Rock with Marc Daniel Nelson - promixacademy.com/course/mixi...
Brendon Bartee - open.spotify.com/artist/7KLbD...
Amek 9099 versus Stock Cubase plugins - • Can you hear the diffe...
Download link - fanlink.lanewoodstudios.com/L...
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#homerecording #pluginalliance #amek9099
Thank you for including the download links to the comparison mixes! Very very helpful for deciding on which to choose
Glad the downloads were helpful.
I'm having a hard time deciding which I like better. I would probably use the AMEK on my low end sounds for that warm depth, but use the SSL on other elements for that clarity and forwardness. I think combining the two you could achieve a really deep '3D' mix.
Thanks for listening and weighing in. I hear those properties of each compressor as well.
I like both. I don't have the AMEK but I do have the Lindell 80 and the Focusrite consoles (both Neve). I've experimented with Neve on channels for pulling out certain colors and then using the SSL 9000J to finish. The sound I'm getting can't be done singly with either. It's like the Neve has all this impressionistic beauty but behind a slightly foggy glass. Put the SSL on? And the glass is wiped. "Oh... those colors are now in technicolor!" It's the only way I can describe it. We are in very fortunate times.
@@Tyrell_Corp2019 Nice description of the changes that you are trying to achieve by using both. I can see what you mean.
That's EXACTLY the comparison I needed. Amek mix sounds deeper and has more vibe, sounding more like a finished record to my ears, while the SSL is clearer. So it seems they both are really worth having, combining them both in a mix could give a nice depth and dimension to the sound. Thank you very much for this video!
You are welcome. Glad it was useful!
They both sound great.
My pick is SSL. The midrange sounded cleaner and highs brighter.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for commenting!
Hi and thanks for that comparison.
I like them both tbh! The mix and music are great too.
I think the SSL is more for this track, it has that snappier and open sound that suit perfectly the mood. The Amek has such beautiful low end and fullness, I would mostly use it for hard/darker track for techno or metal. But as many mentionned in the comment a use of Amek on low and SSL for the rest would be a perfect match!
Thanks again for this video, now looking for the next Amek tools that will come from PA in a couple of weeks/month. They teased a mastering bus comp and maybe an other channel strip or re-make of that 9099.
Greetings for 2023.
Thanks for your extensive input and observations. And happy new year too!!
Hey! Thanks for doing this video on the two mix comparisons in this video. I've been having a hard time deciding which I prefer since I got them, but I think the answer is I love them both for different things. I think the 9099 sounds more open and airy, and the SSL sounds more punchy and more like what you'd hear from a radio ready mix. Great for different things so I'd probably use both for different things in the same mix if they worked in that situation! Thanks again 👍🏻
Yes that’s exactly how I use them. I prefer the SSL on drums.
I really like using the Amek 9099 on guitars to make them sound wider and more wider and the 9000J on Vocals, but I've used the 9099 for really focused and cleaner sounding vocals. Both are AWESOME!
^ I meant wider and more focused 🎸
@@chriswaltonmusic yes it’s great n
My immediate reaction is that I like the AMEK better (crisper on top and round in the bottom) but I found the upper-mids and highs wore on me quickly, whereas the SSL9000 felt softer in the upper mids and highs, drawing me "in" to the music more, focusing more on the big picture and less on the items that poked out as noticeable. Definitely like them both, but for my ears I would lean more on the SSL overall and use the AMEK where that added focus and crispness would benefit the mix without detracting from the song. Thanks for taking the time to make this, very helpful and much appreciated.
Well balanced assessment 😁. Thanks for listening!
My pick for this song would be the SSL mix, more open, wider, snap and clarity. However I can see instances like maybe a Jazz record or lofi music where the Amek would shine, guess having both is a plus!
Thanks for listening and providing your input!
I'm very late to the party. First, thank you for this great comparison! As to my ideas, i like both mixes, but prefer, for this song, the drums from the SSL but the guitars from the Amek. I like the low end on both, same for the vocals and the overall width. If i had to pick one, i would go with the Amek. In a perfect world, both would be available as plugins, so could combine... oh wait!
Yes, I do like SSL for drums as well. Thanks for listening.
What a great video AMEK is warm and deep and SSL sound more in my face clarity and snappier I like both. Thanks
Yes I feel it the same way. Thanks for listening/watching!
Amek has that clarity from listening on my iPad Pro. I enjoyed that mix more. Surprisingly, the 9000J sounded dark. Not what I expected, but then again, I am listening on an iPad.
Yes I hear that the same way. Thanks for listening.
Yep compared to an amek the 9000 j will sound dark remember it's a 1995 console the amek is a 2001 console if we're talking about the 9098(i) or 1998 if it's a normal 9098.
The AMEK sounded deeper, whereas the SSL sounded snappier. The place where this was most surprising was the ambient guitar. In the AMEX mix, it sounded like it was floating beneath and behind the rest of the mix, whereas in the SSL mix it sounded more upfront and as though it was in the same space as everything else.
Good observation. Thanks for commenting.
@@LanewoodStudios Thank YOU for doing these videos! Really great concept and execution!
@@zachary963 thanks!
When I tried the Amek I loved the sound but the compressor was so sensitive. When I found the right Threshold it sounded awesome and so transparent
Excellent!
think I like the Low end on the Amek, but the SSL has nice clarity. I'm using both in my subscription, I will buy one once it expires.
Thanks for listening!
Amek has a little more bass. But for that I like to use the Neve 8028. But to really test it I prefer pushing the console plugins to the limit to really see the character. Is it possible to run a test where the limits of each plugin is pushed?
I did push both plugins a bit more than default via the THD control on the top right. To bring out their individual characters a bit more already. But you could push it even more of course.
They both sounded like great mixes. If the vision for the record is vibe and intensity then the AMEK mix brings that to the song, if the vision is for a cleaner sounding mix where the performances feel less "enhanced" by the production process, ie. more natural but still impressive, then the SSL mix is doing that nicely.
Finally a question. Do you feel that the differences in the end results are an unavoidable consequence of using those 2 tools, or is it just the way you reacted to what you heard ... ie. the sonic character of the tools led YOU to make those sonic choices?
Thanks for listening and providing your feedback and interpretation of the mixes. I tried to go for a similar sound in both mixes without trying to make them sound exactly the same in a scientific way (measuring the same curves and all). In that respect the Amek mix represents my “vision” for the mix best.
@@LanewoodStudios AMEK was immediately my preference. It felt more intense and "moved me" more. But I can easily imagine how some artists might prefer the sound of the SSL mix.
@@BigBoysStudios yes me too. If you look at the other replies, many viewers did prefer the SSL mix.
@@LanewoodStudios Yes I see that. Each to their own :-) I guess the skill is knowing what each tools gives you and being able to use those tools effectively ... and therefore being able to take the music in the direction that best serves the song, and best aligns with the vision of the artist / customer.
@@BigBoysStudios yes, exactly!
Within just a few seconds of listening to Mix B, I chose Mix A as my favorite. It's not that the Cubase plugins were bad or that that mix was bad. At this point either mix is better than anything I could do!😀 But in my opinion, Mx A was punchier and much more defined than Mix B. And I think that the extra cost of your "favorite" plugins is well worth it.
This video must have taken some time to prepare and I think I can speak for many of your subscribers when I say that we really do appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us!
Yes the cubase vs favorites video took quite a while to prepare so thanks for appreciating that. And I obviously think my favorite plugins are worth it but good to get it confirmed 😉😎. By the way, I think you wrote this comment under the wrong video but glad you watched this one as well 😁😋.
@@LanewoodStudios I realize that now. Sorry! 😀
@@mikemccormick1624 no problem 👍
Thanks for doing these comparison, I personally own 9099, but not 9000j, because I feel 99 could be a very useful utility tool. In this particular instance I like the 90j version more, for its clarity and punchness, the 99 version is more ambient to my ears.
Thanks for listening. 👍
+1
Thank you for your videos, have you cheked the SPL PQ ???
Thanks! No I haven’t checked that one yet. It’s only just released.
The Amek was thicker in the lowmids and smoother transients. The SSL had more bite and punch and more open sounding. I prefer the SSL personally. The Amek was boring sounding compared to the SSL. A little to soft and to warm. Every hit record, pop, rock, new country has that open sound with some bite. The Amek doesn't sound like what most records seem to have.. Great video.. 🙂👍👍👍
Thanks for listening 👍
For me the amek sounds more alive , like it comes from the sides and the ssl sounds like it expands as it comes out , more punchier and mid range than the amek. On this track the Amek sounds better to my ears. Good video.
Thank you 🙏
In this instance, I liked the Amek mix…but I also prefer the 4000E to the 9000J
Thanks for your input.
I agree.I Like but prefer the AMEK
Thanks for your input.
I liked the AMEK 9099 more. Nothing wrong with SSL9000J though. I just liked the roundness on the AMEK. I own both plugins and use them accordingly. 9099 if i want to be smooth and 9000 if i want punch. But I feel the 9000J is between the 9099 and the SSL4000 models because the 4000 is even more punchier than the 9000J.
Good tips for when to use which channel, thanks!
Which mix did you prefer and why?
On the intro, A = SSL, B = Amek
If you like, please also check out the poll and vote on my community page (a few posts down)!
From A I liked the "glue", everything seems to be more blended together and from B I liked the opposite, the separation and edge of every instrument. I think B for guitars and drums and A for the rest. Both mixes seems to do its job with just a different flavor. Thanks for the comparison!
Nice observations. Thanks!
both were good. ssl was rounder in the lows and amek was punchier in the lows. the opposite of how you percieved it. Might come down to port tuning of our speakers and acoustics really :P
@@DJayFreeDoo ha ha that’s quite funny indeed. Thanks for listening!
I prefer A!
I think the B has a better stereo image but I hear a more boxy sound, (around 600-700 hz) which I don't like, especially on the lead voice.
Greetings from Argentina!
The AMEK sounds a but wider, and as you mentioned "round"
Thanks for listening!
Ssl brighter on the snap and transients. Amek beefier low end. Pretty much what I would think. Thanks!
You bet!
I ear more low-end info in the side in the AMEK mix. This give wider stereo image than SSL
Yes it does sound wider.
This SSL9000 plugin sounds vaguely, only vaguely like SSL9000J/K hardware.
Ok, I have never really tried the hardware myself.
Ssl I liked the punchy low end and olive felt there was more clarity in my personal opinion
Maybe clarity not right word but I preferred the top end
@@Proofofart great, thanks for listening!
The SSL had just a bit more punch I agree, but not that much to warrant a large price increase from the other plugin.
I don’t think the price of these plugin differs very if at all at this point.
That damn SSL wins again. I really thought a newer plugin such as the AMEK would win, but if you listen over and over again, focusing on each component of the song, such as the acoustic guitar (one panned on the right), you can hear it more clearly with the SSL. The AMEK I think would still have its uses, but for different purposes.
Thanks for listening!
Well, i feel like the SSL sounded a bit more 3D..Like i heard more of the console... But the Amek was still Clear... but i think the SLL was a bit more yummy!
Thanks for sharing!
On mobile atleast i cant hear a diffrence at all. Ps are you belgian or dutch ? I can hear your accent 😂
Yes on mobile it might be hard to hear a difference. Try on monitors or download the files for a more detailed listen. I'm Dutch 👍.
Prefer Mix "A" more clarity in my opinion.
Thanks for listening again! That's the SSL mix by the way.
SSL Mix was More Punchy!!
Thanks for commenting!
You can't get a definitive idea of the difference without the outboard comps/fx and mastering comp. Why?
Not sure what you mean. I used maste bus processing from these plugins as well.
@Lanewood Studios So like when I first started using the SSL channels from waves I thought that they were trash and couldn't figure out for the life of me what the big deal was but I was just using them with the master bus and no aux/sends,comp,la3a, Uries,lexicon and so fourth. So I didn't touch them for like a year. Then I learned how the actual console was to be used with outboard gear fx sends suming and so forth for mixing. I realized one can record on them in a fairly dry pass just gain staging and basic comp and then it can be mixed all the processing and then mastered. Like in three stages of production you know? It seems to me that Rubert Neve intended a certain flavor to be brought out in the final production that on would really be able to truly appreciate until that compression and other effect bring it out. Then your like wow I not only can hear it but it even stimulates my taste buds and syliva glands. So I always mixed with a little master bus and an my mastering chain. It's so enjoyable. 😏
@@chrism4762 yes I apply those 3 levels of production as well, in separate steps though. I can understand how mastering e.g. can bring out certain qualities in a mix that you may only appreciate after that final step. To me it is also useful to compare just a single step though with the different tools that are available and that is what I tried to do in the video 😃.
It doesn't matter, FM radio loved SSL.
We still care 😉
On my Kindle they sound identical
Yes the differences are so small that you probably need some other platform to hear them.
Test is flawed from jump. The best mix will always be the one used to do the actual mixing. Different sound will obviously influence your decisions.
Well I wasn't really trying to make them sound as similar as possible. But when hearing the kick without processing, I know what I wanted to change and tried that with both plugins. The results for Amek and SSL still came out different. and it was like that for all parts of the mix.
@@LanewoodStudios my point is: ultimately unless you try both yourself... There is no way to compare them. I might like mix A better... Doesn't mean that plugin B is crap. It just mean I liked your mix decisions using plugin A better.
@@spikewilliamz8803 ah yes, got you!
9000 SSL sound more warm and richer and punchy, Amek more dry but good, tight imho
Thanks for weighing in.
Amex sounded warmer
Thanks for listening!
The SSL seemed to have e more depth to it. At least to my ears anyway
Thanks for listening and weighing in!
@@LanewoodStudios Thank you my friend 💯🙌🏼
@@LanewoodStudios Also, does processing need to be applied, or fet he color/sound of the console?? Asking because I have the BBN105 v2, and I love those Eq's, and I would the love to use the 2 consoles in combination if possible
@@payso1382 I have that one as well and would just use the color of that EQ then. Especially when you use a bit of the saturation you get the console color. Same goes for the PA consoles, just upping the saturation on all channels should give a bit of the console color. Might still do a video comparing the BB to one of these consoles.
@@LanewoodStudios That would be incredible, and the comparison should be between the BBN105 V2, and the AMEK9099😍🙌🏼🙌🏼🎉
The AMEK sounds better, it is more expressive, warmer and everything feels as if it has been cast from a single mold. The 3D dimensionality also sounds better. The SSL has less expression and it doesn't all feel like one piece. The 3D dimensionality is stronger than with the AMEK, which is not good for the end result. Overall, the AMEK is my favorite. (Sorry for my English, I use a translator.) :)
Thanks for listening and the English is great!
@@LanewoodStudios :)
SSL for once. seems wider and more depth
Thanks for listening.
The SSL ,to my ears, has more depth and sounds more "open"
Thanks for listening.
Amek sounds so 80s ....very nice :-)
Yes!!
Mix B at first 20” listen
Thanks for listening!
Great video, great plugins, i’ve got 9000j but mix b is more tridimensional and precise for mine ears
Thanks!
AMEK had a deeper low-end and is much punchier than the SSL. The highs are smooth through the AMEK (not harsh like the SSL). The background vocal tracks sound much more spacious through the AMEK and more flat through the SSL. For this particular song...AMEK wins. I think the SSL may be better on other types of songs. Choose the best tool that serves the song; always serve the song.
Good advice and I hear it very much the same.
ssl had a warmer mix, sounded like it was done in a professional studio.
amek sounded like it was done it a bedroom. no bias at all, just my instant stoned two cents lol
Thanks for that 😉.
@@LanewoodStudios are you still rocking with the 9000j or or amek? Or have you found any better ones?
@@ISaudio if you’re talking channel strips it is these two along with the BB N105 by KIT plugins.
to my ear Mix A has better high frequency clarity
Thanks for listening!
ssl on the drums amek on the vox and instruments lol
I typically use SSL on drums actually.
it's fun to hear the differences but it is also antf@cking, in the end nobody cares on the consumer side. you can't say there is a difference in quality, just that there is a difference in sound. the rest is subjective
Yes both can be used to create great mixes but they do provide a bit of a different basic sound that you may prefer. Especially when you listen to what they do on the individual instruments. One of them may just be more to your liking. In the old days, recording on a Neve and mixing on an SSL was quite common. And there was a reason for that.
As for the consumer side, yes nobody cares but this channel is for the “nerdy” engineers 😉.
@@LanewoodStudios Nerds Rock !!
@@ghuinink 👍😂
@@LanewoodStudios Nerd power! 🤘
Amek all day. Just for something different. Never been a huge fan of ssl for some reason.
Thanks for listening!
ssl9000j a bit cleaner
Thanks for your input 😁.
9099', never like that SSL standard sound for Acoustic Guitars, its sound so 80s!
Thanks for listening!
I can't hear any difference. I'm on Sony MDR-7506 headphones.
Maybe download the tracks to see if you can hear a difference without UA-cam compression.
B was harsh on my ears.
Thanks for your input!
Amek is something like 5 times better and more engaging sounding.
Thanks for listening!
It's not a matter of taste, 9000 sucks here completely.
Not everybody agrees with you if you check the comments 😅.
@@LanewoodStudios Dude, open your eyes, 80 percent here for Amek...
@@sevchyk ha ha .... ok you counted them ;)
@@sevchykI did a community poll at the time and the results were:
Amek 9099 mix --> 22%, SSL 9000J mix --> 33%, I couldn't tell the difference --> 44%
But the comments may be different .. did you count? ;)
@@LanewoodStudios No, gross observation. You see, everyone talks something like “I got instantly captivated by the sound of Amek, it has more life”, bla bla bla. That basically means that for this mix you can throw away the other plugin.