Wow...working this chain up on a song and immediately notice a wonderful heft with the Softube tape and the 550b eq in the Lindell Channel 50. So good in sound and peace of mind. Thank you....
It's easily the best SSL bus comp, even the V1 without oversampling was awesome. Next would be BX Townhouse for a bit more colour, then the TRacks with the grit button engaged if you want some extra flavour.
@@mixbustv david on the softube tape plugin you can use the crosstalk knob which will add more low end bump and some analog style width also set the speed stability to 99.9% for some tape movement and boost the high frequency trim to 2 because you're gonna lose some top end keep the crosstalk at 40% for mixing and 50% for mastering.
Hello David! Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you please make update to this video (2023 Edition)? I heard you replaced Inflator with P42 Climax.
Hello Dave. Since 2015 here... and god thank you for all the good tips and knowledge. 9:52 you evocated something interesting here, "analog" widening (vs itb). Would you mind to elaborate more about this ? It tickled my mind. Cheers, I wish you all the forwardness you need my firend
I like it. You actually covered a lot of good information I hope others pick up on, such as the cumlative saturation/passive dynamics changes that occur in the hardware because of how the hardware behaves. That's something that is not really replicatable in a plugin because they just haven't figured it out yet. Driving a hardware compressor hard vs a plugin just doesn't work the same way... but at least it does give some insight into your thought process and, essentially, work-arounds when using just plugins.
It depends on the compressor plugin really and what aspects of the signal were measured and reproduced in the model. If you look at arturia and kush audio both of them model the clipping characteristics of the analog models compressors they recreate.
Have you tried the Native SSL Bus compressor V2? It has highpass filter and they completely changed the way it sounds from previous versions, and added the possibility of oversampling and more attack and release settings like 20ms attack for example
not sure about pro tools, but in studio one you can just have a frequency splitter and apply the SSL style vst comp to anything above the kick or low frequency instrument
I recommend x-eq2. It has a very analogue sound to it. Have you ever tried the slate tape? Also saturn 2 is great for trying to add that missing saturation for transformers and tubes to match that gear.
Hi David, I noted your comment about the Waves SSL Bus Compressor not having the hi pass filter, a notable alternative might be the BusterSE by Analog Obsession. It has ALL the controls of the waves plugin PLUS the desired high pass filter and even oversampling and a wet/dry mix nob
I love this video because it underscores how analog still makes a difference. I have had this debate concerning guitar gear before. I'm about to buy a 5W tube amp, not a digital multieffects unit, for good reason.
11:11 MixBusTV has never heard of Oversampled Pancz. This thing is a 3D (x,y, & z axes) (this feature is the DrMS of transient shaping headroom ISYN (I s**t you not)) transient tonal shaper x MP3-tinny-resonance eliminator (so you can master off a MP3 LOSSY file now!!) x Pure 2nd-3rd Harmonics mastering EQ ranger all in one. That would solve this problem. "Yes, there is a plugin for this" :)
@@mixbustv the problem of you saying that there's no such plugin for transparent for a specific sound...which I believe you are looking for transparency on the transients and you can cut down the release time on transients to the point that it adds clarity and emphasizes the 2rd and 3rd order harmonics giving it that analog tonal shaped sound. Also look into Leapwing Audio's DynOne v3 that has a Master analog sound filter in the lower right hand corner but turn down all five frequency ranges to zero/to the bottom and only do a slight boost to the high end frequency range on DynOne v3 (not v2 or v1 which doesn't have that analog sounding filter on that plugin's earlier versions). I hope this explanation doesn't discourage you from vesting into these two plugins: Oversampled Pancz and LeapwingAudio's DynOne v3. I will upload a personal example of this shortly so help you understand better.
I've been using Arturia's Diode bus compressor a lot lately. It's quite gluey and coloured like Waves SSL but it doesn't affect the stereo image and it has a HPF. It also has a limiter so you can crush your signal if need be.
@@Mixedbydavey I'm not sure how to route the sidechain in PT but in Reaper, I set up a bus track and put the EQ on the bus then route that bus back to my mix bus input 3-4
@@Mixedbydavey Yes it's a filtered version of your mix bus that feeds an alternate input to your mix bus. And the plugin has 4 inputs, 2 for audio, 2 for side chain
I do like the T-Racks Bus Comp. I actually switched to that from the Waves SSL one, can't really describe it but i just had better results with it. Might be because my mixes get better as i practice so could be that too xD
See this is why analog is just so much faster than plugins…having to carefully balance three tools in the DAW to achieve the sound of pressing one button on a hardware. Thank you!
The music you engineer frigging bangs. I'm primarily an artist, but I engineer my own music- and your channel is a wealth of inspiration. This one's for you 🥤
Hey, David! Just in case that's a great emulation of SSL Fusion, and it's completely free. Acustica Audio Celestial is, kinda a great tool, that works pretty good.
@@mixbustv lol. Each their own. Pensado, Schepps, Wells, etc all seem to like it a lot as well. That doesn’t make it right for everyone by any means, but it is a pretty universally liked tool.
I’ve seen people (one in particular) slam the Waves stuff, especially on the 2bus because something about aliasing. Just hates them. So I like that you’re showing these Waves tools and saying they’re great. I’m always surprised when I see API 550 on the 2bus. The 2 db steps seem like they’d be so much. I’ll have to try them.
I have no idea about others but aliasing is a pretty overrated "issue". As for the API, usually 2db on the 2bus is considered pretty heavy, that's why my 5500 has half db steps, but you can compensate for that (the 2db steps)
Great video! I'd be interested to hear if you have any thoughts or have tried the Analog Obsession BUSTERse SSL style compressor plugin? It's fully featured with a sidechain, HPF, transformer emulation and oversampling. A lot of people are raving about it. Could be a contender for the SSL in the plugin realm?
Isn’t Analog Obsession stuff allowed to be used for free. If you have some hardware it would be good if you could compare it to the Analog Obsession plug in. It would be interesting to see whether a free plug in sounds anything like your hardware ssl gear.
Quick question I've notice that on a aux vocal send track the meter volume and peak indicater changes For example I will record in at about 10 db and rout 2 or more tracks to a aux send know in my mind I thought I would expect to see the aux send hitting at the same level 10 db but this is not always the case So I guess my question is at what level should a vocal bus volume indicater be at before processing with plugins such as dynamics
Not sure I get your question but if you bus two or more tracks to an aux of course the level is gonna be higher than the one of a single track. There's no set level for a vocal bus or any other bus other than the one dictated by your gain staging, and gain staging depends on track count, if you use hw or not, style etc.. I have many videos on that
At least with the Ozone Exciter you can actually hear dramatic changes compared to anything else. I know there are subtle difference but can't hear without headphones on laptop but certainly heard it with the Ozone hahaha.
Not much if it's my mix. I would bring the mix up to level minimizing distortion as much as possible, trying to maintain the balance and the punch I have in the mix as much as possible which might sound "easy" but it's really not because whenever you bring a mix up to commercial level things change.
This is crazy i was just trying to look this up yesterday and couldnt really find anything. I found stuff on how to get a analog sound in the box but nothing that’s similar to what my analog gear actually does.
@@QuadrantBottomHalf warm audio bus comp, 2 neve 551’s, ssl six channel, n 2 warm audio eqp-wa’s.. ive been slowly building the 500 series items are items I recently got a few months ago. I definitely want to get more. Oh yeah also have a soundcraft signature mk22 if that counts? Lol but that does give some decent analog depth n warmth as well as just having a mixer in front of me.
Good stuff buddy, Acustica Audio Celestial is a full workflow/emulation for the SSL Fusion, the Trim needs to be pushed up +6 or +12 to react like the Fusion
Hello David, you say you don't use DrMs on 2 buss but I see it here very last in the chain right after Maag. Could you please make it clear? I am a bit confused..Thanks!
I've had this conversation recently with fellow guitar players about amp sims VS tube amps. I must admit that the border is becoming thinner as we speak. There will be time in the not so distant future when every single detail will be emulated into the software, all the way from tube noise to circuitry hardware artifacts.
@@mixbustv That day will most definitely come. Hardware diehards just don't want to admit it. Amp sim technology is advancing at an extremely fast rate. It's only a matter of time before they sound 100% the same as real amps.
Is it best to have a saturator as first on the mix buss? I know this is software but I have the Drawmer 1976 and wonder if I am putting it in wrong place on mix buss. I also use fabfilter Saturn if mixing in box but should that be first on mix buss chain?
There's no write or wrong place, and I would be very careful using saturation plugins on the 2bus, the itb saturation is best used on single tracks and groups and the best for this are Console 1 and HEAT, I also wouldn't use the 76 on the 2bus
What acoustic panels are u using? I really need to treat my space, but since im working in a small room i dont want to use full 4" thick panels and yours look pretty thin from the camera angle. Maybe 2", besides the bass traps in the corners?
@MixbusTv Curious to know which bits of hardware you’ve mentioned using on your 2bus chain here you also use regularly in your mastering chain? Given the two are different disciplines but also still incorporate similar elements (obvious differences for example being more use of limiters/clippers at mastering stage)? I’m sure I’ve seen a vid of you mastering where you’re also using the Fusion, PQ, Weiss, Space machine thing etc etc. Wondering if you’ve both mixed and mastered the same song whether you end up doubling up on any of the analogue gear between 2bus and mastering stage? Lots of questions sorry!
Keep in mind that my split between mixing/mastering and mastering only splits 50%. Probably slightly more mastering jobs these days so in those cases, my mastering chain sees 542's, Fusion, SPL PQ, Symph EQ, Wes Mastering comp, with the option of inserting API 5500, FATSO, before compression and MAAG after compression before Spacecraft. Obviously not all of that is on all the time, sometimes is just 3 units, sometimes all. If I mixed the song very very rarely I use more "color" or analog on the master, if do so is usually the SPL maybe the HF comp on the SSL and maybe MAAG or Symph or API (one, not all of them) for a slight top and bottom adjustment, we're talking half db. In the end mastering is years of experience half db at the time. But many times I don't use analog but I do use my converters for clipping so I'm still not ITB
@@mixbustv thanks for the response David, makes total sense to me! Seems like your approach when mixing is to stack as much of that colour as needed at 2bus stage rather than leave it to mastering. I tend to like this because it’s a creative decision that can be made with feedback from the client in mind also. Then mastering that follows takes a “cleaner” approach. I guess in mastering it comes down to knowing how much colour was used on the 2bus already. Whether that’s by ear and experience or literally knowing because you asked/are the mix engineer. Either way, half dB steps here and there. Cool :)
Love the channel dude! One question... I have been working ITB all this time and now I'm getting into the 500 series but I have had such a hard time deciding which modules I need so that I can mix/master and that will actually compete with market level production quality (Mastering EQs, Compressors etc..) There are so many items out there that its honestly pretty hard to decide. Most of these mixed reviews are not trustworthy, but I have actually heard your sound so I trust your ear. What chain would you suggest to get me to a professional pure analog mix/master? Oh yea, as far as my budget I would say I'm ok with $1500.00 range max per module to start.
Keep in mind it will take you a while to build a chain that will make your products "compete" so to speak, hardware is expensive and your chain will be only as strong as your weakest link. With that said, I'd probably start with the Dione Wes Audio in that price range imp.i114863.net/kdxNN You then probably want a stereo eq, in which case you can go with either a pair of API 550B imp.i114863.net/9WEa5e altho' you will find 2db steps a bit too much often, or heritage imp.i114863.net/1nkoz or Wes audio Pultec: imp.i114863.net/jdqB5 I'm a fan of the Neve 452's everybody knows that, but, they're not easy units to use and the rest of your chain would need to be on par and basically built around them somehow: imp.i114863.net/MerEK As for mastering, that's a whole different ballgame and price range, you ain't gonna get into analog mastering with 1.5K a piece.
@@mixbustv Thanks for the quick response. And I absolutely understand the cost of hardware, I just didn't want to drop $4K-$5K a piece on 500 series hardware or rack gear I don't know anything about. But I get your point. I will research these suggestions. Thanks! Keep up the great work. I think I'll go with the Wes Audio Compressor and EQ to start.
Man. This kind of videos is what most of us need. Think about that: 1st We dont have money and we are learning 2nd We are digital guys. I really like when you find equivalent in the digital domain of your "muscular" analogs. Why you did not try with a Neve emulation from UAD? Another question is. What tools exist in the digital domain that cannot have equivalent in the analog domain? For example: Newfalnged Elevate or SmartComp etc. Cheers man.
I wouldn't change my converters for UAD and sure I don't want my plug-ins tied to them. Soothe, Spiff, any dynamic eq, my entire section of efx, Futzbox and alike.. there are many
Or the quick fix - just put one of the many wonderfully CPU intensive Acustica Audio EQ/Nebula plugins over your master bus and Voilà! you have a finished record.
Please write to bookinghfs@gmail.com, we can't control from our end but we can communicate directly with youtube and figure the problem out. Off the bat, check if you're using a VNP, and make sure you're signed with the same account/email you joined.
Thanks for the video David, a good comparison! Based on your reviews and videos, I bought the SSL Fusion and the 2x Portico 542 (among other gear) at the beginning of the year. Very good devices and difficult to emulate too. As you said in the video, you get closer to it, but there is still a big difference between the plugin sound and the hardware. Exactly the same with my SSL G Bus Comp Mk2 in API 500 format (with sidechain + 3 more ratios options compared to the Mk1 version), so far I have not found any plugin that works so clean and big. Even the SSL native plugins sound really bad in comparison.
Did you have any issues with the 542's with one being louder than the other even with balance in the middle? I had a pair and took them back because as soon as I hit tape the balance would be off. Maybe they were defective but I wasn't too blown away by the sound of them anyways. Imo they cut way too much high end for my liking.
@@1972OGTony Hi, I have no problems at all with my two 542 Porticos. Maybe it was because of your cable connection? Same cables, same gain in the interface, maybe something wrong on your API500 lunchbox? The Silk Blue also does a roll-off in the high frequency range, on the other hand the Silk Red makes a nice emphasis in the high range. Of course, the frequency profile changes whether you work in IPS 15 or 30 mode. What I like to use is IPS15 in combination with Silk Red, it gives a great bump and glue around 60Hz and raises the highs nicely. Since I have two, I can also use the Porticos in mid/side mode, which is also very useful. 🙂
@@thedevilsadvocate5210 I mainly use the SSL Fusion for mastering. But not always all of the individual elements such as the Vintage Drive, HF-Comp, HPF or the Transformer etc. And of course you can use the Fusion on individual tracks.
Celestial, sadly, is not an emulation of the Fusion. Quotes from Giancarlo from Acustica: "Celestial is not a copy of any hardware" and "I see people are comparing celestial to a specific hardware device and brand, I repeat it again: celestial is our vision of a master bus and mix channel, it is not meant to be a clone." He said somewhere else that a Fusion was not used at all during the development of Celestial.
@@jorykevinberger7047 Giancarlo said it was based on the SSL Fusion but they changed a lot of stuff. It DOES have the high frequency compressor like the Fusion though.
@@entity9588 wanted to let you know SSL released two plugins today from the Fusion. Vintage drive/density and the width/space. I look forward to testing them out. High frequency compressor to come apparently. Cheers.
@@stanleyc6225 I have quite a few ssl G bus compressors including the new SSL one. Nothing comes close to TimP’s L Bus. It’s the best ITB SSL G Comp hands down.
@@PavlisBeats Don’t forget that added 3D ness and depth that Nebula Libraries add which is honestly just magical. Normal algorithm plugins much like the new SSL comp just doesn’t come close to that unfortunately. The closest thing to getting that 3D ness and depth is Acustica’s own plugins or UAD’s plugins.
Q&A: David, how do you think, how long you will be able to work in this branch? 10 years? Do you have any plans for changing profession in future? I see all pro engineers do more and more commercials, is there still many clients for ordering mixing mastering with normal money value?
I don't know about others but I'm booked solid months ahead and my client list only got bigger. And in a utopian possible future in which music is written by AI and mastered by AI, I still don't see mixing happening. That is a stage that, if ever, will be the last to "go". Way too complicated, way too many parts moving and most important, the one thing where you need a human being's taste and experience (mastering too but mixing is 100x) I think if there are engineers who saw regression are the ones who didn't stay up to date, didn't keep moving forward, incorporate new tools, techs etc.. Mix and mastering is still my "day job" and I don't see it going anywhere, with that said, I do produce my artist which is doing great, and it's not out of the question that after her we will scout more.
Tape: bit.ly/3EHQ1YW
550B: waves.alzt.net/Vq5Y3
Saphira: waves.alzt.net/EVjB4
Vitamin: waves.alzt.net/a1e9Dj
Ozone Exciter: bit.ly/3hT9zjg
Weiss Deesser: bit.ly/3zA8XFe
Ozone Imager: bit.ly/3hT9zjg
Saturate: bit.ly/3lIspe0
SSL G-Comp: waves.alzt.net/qN3Gn
Sitral: bit.ly/3CNgAdt
Pultec: waves.alzt.net/27eAa
Inflator: bit.ly/3lIDOdH
DrMS: DRMS bit.ly/3z2HzQp
🔥Join the Channel to Access All The Premium Courses:
bit.ly/2SNX8bx + Mix Consultations
🔥Bella Kelly's Single/Video Throat: bit.ly/3dxeJOf
Wow...working this chain up on a song and immediately notice a wonderful heft with the Softube tape and the 550b eq in the Lindell Channel 50. So good in sound and peace of mind. Thank you....
You can create a high pass filter on the waves SSL G comp with the multi-band split feature on the waves studio rack.
David, have you used that new SSL native bus comp v2? Curious what your opinion is on it. I've heard it sounds great with oversampling on
Haven't, I really don't actively look for ssl type plugins as I have 2 hw
It's easily the best SSL bus comp, even the V1 without oversampling was awesome. Next would be BX Townhouse for a bit more colour, then the TRacks with the grit button engaged if you want some extra flavour.
Cheers to u both. I normally go with the Townhouse but definitely wanna try that native SSL (and hopefully) go for the hw comp in the near future
It's so good, every other clone has become a plaything for kids
@@mixbustv david on the softube tape plugin you can use the crosstalk knob which will add more low end bump and some analog style width also set the speed stability to 99.9% for some tape movement and boost the high frequency trim to 2 because you're gonna lose some top end keep the crosstalk at 40% for mixing and 50% for mastering.
Hello David! Thanks for sharing your experience. Can you please make update to this video (2023 Edition)? I heard you replaced Inflator with P42 Climax.
Hello Dave. Since 2015 here... and god thank you for all the good tips and knowledge.
9:52 you evocated something interesting here, "analog" widening (vs itb). Would you mind to elaborate more about this ? It tickled my mind.
Cheers, I wish you all the forwardness you need my firend
I like it. You actually covered a lot of good information I hope others pick up on, such as the cumlative saturation/passive dynamics changes that occur in the hardware because of how the hardware behaves. That's something that is not really replicatable in a plugin because they just haven't figured it out yet. Driving a hardware compressor hard vs a plugin just doesn't work the same way... but at least it does give some insight into your thought process and, essentially, work-arounds when using just plugins.
It depends on the compressor plugin really and what aspects of the signal were measured and reproduced in the model. If you look at arturia and kush audio both of them model the clipping characteristics of the analog models compressors they recreate.
Thank you for continuing to give me the information to level up my music!
Great video, full of gems! You are one of the best on UA-cam for sharing pro mixing/ mastering technique and insight.....Salute!
Have you tried the Native SSL Bus compressor V2?
It has highpass filter and they completely changed the way it sounds from previous versions, and added the possibility of oversampling and more attack and release settings like 20ms attack for example
I didn't, I don't really look for ssl style plugins, I have 2 hw
This video is amazing D! Such a delivery for us watching. As always, 💯 blessings
not sure about pro tools, but in studio one you can just have a frequency splitter and apply the SSL style vst comp to anything above the kick or low frequency instrument
I recommend x-eq2. It has a very analogue sound to it. Have you ever tried the slate tape? Also saturn 2 is great for trying to add that missing saturation for transformers and tubes to match that gear.
Yeah I did, never liked the slate and same for Saturn, I like it but not on 2bus
Hi David, I noted your comment about the Waves SSL Bus Compressor not having the hi pass filter, a notable alternative might be the BusterSE by Analog Obsession. It has ALL the controls of the waves plugin PLUS the desired high pass filter and even oversampling and a wet/dry mix nob
Can you please review Ssl native chanel strip 2 and bus compressor 2 ? Many people said they are very good emulation
Haven't
I love this video because it underscores how analog still makes a difference. I have had this debate concerning guitar gear before. I'm about to buy a 5W tube amp, not a digital multieffects unit, for good reason.
It's just more enjoyable and rewarding to use, but that's just me. Tube prices and maintenance be damned.
@@EzyoMusic I admit I doubt I'll buy anything that takes more than 3, perhaps 4, tubes in the future.
Great video! Interesting choises made here.
Is this chain for Mixing, or Mastering???
Mix
So dope that you’re wiling to share this with us.
Thank you!
11:11 MixBusTV has never heard of Oversampled Pancz. This thing is a 3D (x,y, & z axes) (this feature is the DrMS of transient shaping headroom ISYN (I s**t you not)) transient tonal shaper x MP3-tinny-resonance eliminator (so you can master off a MP3 LOSSY file now!!) x Pure 2nd-3rd Harmonics mastering EQ ranger all in one. That would solve this problem. "Yes, there is a plugin for this" :)
What problem exactly?
@@mixbustv the problem of you saying that there's no such plugin for transparent for a specific sound...which I believe you are looking for transparency on the transients and you can cut down the release time on transients to the point that it adds clarity and emphasizes the 2rd and 3rd order harmonics giving it that analog tonal shaped sound. Also look into Leapwing Audio's DynOne v3 that has a Master analog sound filter in the lower right hand corner but turn down all five frequency ranges to zero/to the bottom and only do a slight boost to the high end frequency range on DynOne v3 (not v2 or v1 which doesn't have that analog sounding filter on that plugin's earlier versions). I hope this explanation doesn't discourage you from vesting into these two plugins: Oversampled Pancz and LeapwingAudio's DynOne v3. I will upload a personal example of this shortly so help you understand better.
Help me understand? 😄 i was beta tester for Leapwig lol
@@mixbustv which email can I send it too? UA-cam won't accept URL links in comments any longer :-(
I've been using Arturia's Diode bus compressor a lot lately. It's quite gluey and coloured like Waves SSL but it doesn't affect the stereo image and it has a HPF. It also has a limiter so you can crush your signal if need be.
You can put an EQ in the side chain of the Waves SSL bus comp to get your high pass filter. When I'm not using my hardware version, that's what I do.
How do you do that?
@@Mixedbydavey I'm not sure how to route the sidechain in PT but in Reaper, I set up a bus track and put the EQ on the bus then route that bus back to my mix bus input 3-4
@@JasonBuffin ah but that’s going to be running in parallel though.
@@Mixedbydavey Yes it's a filtered version of your mix bus that feeds an alternate input to your mix bus. And the plugin has 4 inputs, 2 for audio, 2 for side chain
@@JasonBuffin yeah cool that makes sense. I’m running stuff parallel all the time.
Love the cobalt saphira! Great video David as always 🤘
I do like the T-Racks Bus Comp. I actually switched to that from the Waves SSL one, can't really describe it but i just had better results with it. Might be because my mixes get better as i practice so could be that too xD
See this is why analog is just so much faster than plugins…having to carefully balance three tools in the DAW to achieve the sound of pressing one button on a hardware. Thank you!
The music you engineer frigging bangs. I'm primarily an artist, but I engineer my own music- and your channel is a wealth of inspiration.
This one's for you 🥤
🙏🤘
Hear hear
Hey, David! Just in case that's a great emulation of SSL Fusion, and it's completely free. Acustica Audio Celestial is, kinda a great tool, that works pretty good.
Yeah I'm aware of it, I didn't mention it because well, it ain't that great :D
@@mixbustv hehehe :) got you!
@@mixbustv ok, SSL Fusion vst's ? :) What do you think about them?
No Black Box? It is the the most "analog sounding" plugin I've found, to my ears...
Ewww..
@@mixbustv lol. Each their own. Pensado, Schepps, Wells, etc all seem to like it a lot as well. That doesn’t make it right for everyone by any means, but it is a pretty universally liked tool.
@@bcroson82 yeah Pensado and JJ who is a fckn beast unleashed lol
NICE!!!
Sounds awesome!!!!!!
I’ve seen people (one in particular) slam the Waves stuff, especially on the 2bus because something about aliasing. Just hates them. So I like that you’re showing these Waves tools and saying they’re great.
I’m always surprised when I see API 550 on the 2bus. The 2 db steps seem like they’d be so much. I’ll have to try them.
I have no idea about others but aliasing is a pretty overrated "issue". As for the API, usually 2db on the 2bus is considered pretty heavy, that's why my 5500 has half db steps, but you can compensate for that (the 2db steps)
Great stuff David -- thanks for sharing.
Great video! I'd be interested to hear if you have any thoughts or have tried the Analog Obsession BUSTERse SSL style compressor plugin? It's fully featured with a sidechain, HPF, transformer emulation and oversampling. A lot of people are raving about it. Could be a contender for the SSL in the plugin realm?
I haven't, I don't actively look for any ssl type as I have 2 hw
Isn’t Analog Obsession stuff allowed to be used for free.
If you have some hardware it would be good if you could compare it to the Analog Obsession plug in.
It would be interesting to see whether a free plug in sounds anything like your hardware ssl gear.
Quick question I've notice that on a aux vocal send track the meter volume and peak indicater changes
For example I will record in at about 10 db and rout 2 or more tracks to a aux send
know in my mind I thought I would expect to see the aux send hitting at the same level 10 db
but this is not always the case
So I guess my question is at what level should a vocal bus volume indicater be at before processing with plugins such as dynamics
Not sure I get your question but if you bus two or more tracks to an aux of course the level is gonna be higher than the one of a single track. There's no set level for a vocal bus or any other bus other than the one dictated by your gain staging, and gain staging depends on track count, if you use hw or not, style etc.. I have many videos on that
Just for Inspiration: I tested a lot of ssl Compressor Plugins and townhall bus by PA was my favorite so far
Try True Iron for convincing transformer emulation
At least with the Ozone Exciter you can actually hear dramatic changes compared to anything else. I know there are subtle difference but can't hear without headphones on laptop but certainly heard it with the Ozone hahaha.
2:27 there is a transformer plugin - Kazrog True Iron.
yeah which I featured in the previous video and sounds nothing like the one on the neves
thx man. Love your channel!
Teacher i have a question If this crazy chain is for mixing then what would you do on mastering stage? 🙏 Plz rply
Not much if it's my mix. I would bring the mix up to level minimizing distortion as much as possible, trying to maintain the balance and the punch I have in the mix as much as possible which might sound "easy" but it's really not because whenever you bring a mix up to commercial level things change.
@@mixbustv thanks alot 🙏🙏♥️
This is crazy i was just trying to look this up yesterday and couldnt really find anything. I found stuff on how to get a analog sound in the box but nothing that’s similar to what my analog gear actually does.
What analogue gear you got?
@@QuadrantBottomHalf warm audio bus comp, 2 neve 551’s, ssl six channel, n 2 warm audio eqp-wa’s.. ive been slowly building the 500 series items are items I recently got a few months ago. I definitely want to get more. Oh yeah also have a soundcraft signature mk22 if that counts? Lol but that does give some decent analog depth n warmth as well as just having a mixer in front of me.
Good stuff buddy, Acustica Audio Celestial is a full workflow/emulation for the SSL Fusion, the Trim needs to be pushed up +6 or +12 to react like the Fusion
yeah and is not really there
Hello David, you say you don't use DrMs on 2 buss but I see it here very last in the chain right after Maag. Could you please make it clear? I am a bit confused..Thanks!
it's just there
David, don't you like Plugin Alliance plugins? :)
I don't, they have 3 good plugins and that's it for me
What a treat of a video 🙏🏽
I've had this conversation recently with fellow guitar players about amp sims VS tube amps. I must admit that the border is becoming thinner as we speak. There will be time in the not so distant future when every single detail will be emulated into the software, all the way from tube noise to circuitry hardware artifacts.
That day will never come. Amp sims are very different than analog gear.
@@mixbustv That day will most definitely come. Hardware diehards just don't want to admit it. Amp sim technology is advancing at an extremely fast rate. It's only a matter of time before they sound 100% the same as real amps.
do you have a video where you use the analog chain? if not, can you make one on the future so we can compare? great videos!
Yep many, members only
Is it best to have a saturator as first on the mix buss? I know this is software but I have the Drawmer 1976 and wonder if I am putting it in wrong place on mix buss. I also use fabfilter Saturn if mixing in box but should that be first on mix buss chain?
There's no write or wrong place, and I would be very careful using saturation plugins on the 2bus, the itb saturation is best used on single tracks and groups and the best for this are Console 1 and HEAT, I also wouldn't use the 76 on the 2bus
What acoustic panels are u using? I really need to treat my space, but since im working in a small room i dont want to use full 4" thick panels and yours look pretty thin from the camera angle. Maybe 2", besides the bass traps in the corners?
You should at least go 4" for the back, traps in corners and the sides and ceiling can be 2" for a basic treatment
@@mixbustv thanks for advice man! Definitely going to give it a try. Thank u!
What parts of the chain do you mix into?
All of it
"Is this even legal?" omg your thumbnail cracked me up.
You gotta watch it today :D
@MixbusTv Curious to know which bits of hardware you’ve mentioned using on your 2bus chain here you also use regularly in your mastering chain? Given the two are different disciplines but also still incorporate similar elements (obvious differences for example being more use of limiters/clippers at mastering stage)? I’m sure I’ve seen a vid of you mastering where you’re also using the Fusion, PQ, Weiss, Space machine thing etc etc. Wondering if you’ve both mixed and mastered the same song whether you end up doubling up on any of the analogue gear between 2bus and mastering stage? Lots of questions sorry!
Keep in mind that my split between mixing/mastering and mastering only splits 50%. Probably slightly more mastering jobs these days so in those cases, my mastering chain sees 542's, Fusion, SPL PQ, Symph EQ, Wes Mastering comp, with the option of inserting API 5500, FATSO, before compression and MAAG after compression before Spacecraft. Obviously not all of that is on all the time, sometimes is just 3 units, sometimes all. If I mixed the song very very rarely I use more "color" or analog on the master, if do so is usually the SPL maybe the HF comp on the SSL and maybe MAAG or Symph or API (one, not all of them) for a slight top and bottom adjustment, we're talking half db. In the end mastering is years of experience half db at the time.
But many times I don't use analog but I do use my converters for clipping so I'm still not ITB
@@mixbustv thanks for the response David, makes total sense to me!
Seems like your approach when mixing is to stack as much of that colour as needed at 2bus stage rather than leave it to mastering. I tend to like this because it’s a creative decision that can be made with feedback from the client in mind also. Then mastering that follows takes a “cleaner” approach. I guess in mastering it comes down to knowing how much colour was used on the 2bus already. Whether that’s by ear and experience or literally knowing because you asked/are the mix engineer. Either way, half dB steps here and there. Cool :)
Hi David! Would this be a chain you would set up before mixing individual tracks?
This is almost all my options, like I said in the video not everything is on all the time. Some things I turn on 1st thing, some come later
@@mixbustv Ah ok thank you!
Love the channel dude! One question... I have been working ITB all this time and now I'm getting into the 500 series but I have had such a hard time deciding which modules I need so that I can mix/master and that will actually compete with market level production quality (Mastering EQs, Compressors etc..) There are so many items out there that its honestly pretty hard to decide. Most of these mixed reviews are not trustworthy, but I have actually heard your sound so I trust your ear. What chain would you suggest to get me to a professional pure analog mix/master? Oh yea, as far as my budget I would say I'm ok with $1500.00 range max per module to start.
Keep in mind it will take you a while to build a chain that will make your products "compete" so to speak, hardware is expensive and your chain will be only as strong as your weakest link. With that said, I'd probably start with the Dione Wes Audio in that price range imp.i114863.net/kdxNN
You then probably want a stereo eq, in which case you can go with either a pair of API 550B imp.i114863.net/9WEa5e altho' you will find 2db steps a bit too much often, or heritage imp.i114863.net/1nkoz
or Wes audio Pultec: imp.i114863.net/jdqB5
I'm a fan of the Neve 452's everybody knows that, but, they're not easy units to use and the rest of your chain would need to be on par and basically built around them somehow: imp.i114863.net/MerEK
As for mastering, that's a whole different ballgame and price range, you ain't gonna get into analog mastering with 1.5K a piece.
@@mixbustv Thanks for the quick response. And I absolutely understand the cost of hardware, I just didn't want to drop $4K-$5K a piece on 500 series hardware or rack gear I don't know anything about. But I get your point. I will research these suggestions. Thanks! Keep up the great work. I think I'll go with the Wes Audio Compressor and EQ to start.
Man. This kind of videos is what most of us need. Think about that: 1st We dont have money and we are learning 2nd We are digital guys. I really like when you find equivalent in the digital domain of your "muscular" analogs. Why you did not try with a Neve emulation from UAD? Another question is. What tools exist in the digital domain that cannot have equivalent in the analog domain? For example: Newfalnged Elevate or SmartComp etc. Cheers man.
I wouldn't change my converters for UAD and sure I don't want my plug-ins tied to them. Soothe, Spiff, any dynamic eq, my entire section of efx, Futzbox and alike.. there are many
@@mixbustv of course not I wouldn't either what I mean is for demonstration purposes to get the analog emulation of uad
Love the song! Has been released already??
Yes, Nova Melodius - No Sunshine
Why no acustica audio vst?
Or the quick fix - just put one of the many wonderfully CPU intensive Acustica Audio EQ/Nebula plugins over your master bus and Voilà! you have a finished record.
how it works?
Lol sure you do 😂
Cool video idea. I love that track, too :)
I just buy a monthly subscription but when I want to open a video in community tab it's asking me again to buy a subscription, why is that?
Please write to bookinghfs@gmail.com, we can't control from our end but we can communicate directly with youtube and figure the problem out. Off the bat, check if you're using a VNP, and make sure you're signed with the same account/email you joined.
T racks compressor yummy; t racks plugs have a vibe i highly regard them
Any clue what mic or input chain was used to record this record? I love the smoothness. Great vid btw. U got my sub today.
No I only mixed and mastered it
@@mixbustv copy that. Thank you
Thanks for the video David, a good comparison!
Based on your reviews and videos, I bought the SSL Fusion and the 2x Portico 542 (among other gear) at the beginning of the year. Very good devices and difficult to emulate too.
As you said in the video, you get closer to it, but there is still a big difference between the plugin sound and the hardware.
Exactly the same with my SSL G Bus Comp Mk2 in API 500 format (with sidechain + 3 more ratios options compared to the Mk1 version), so far I have not found any plugin that works so clean and big. Even the SSL native plugins sound really bad in comparison.
Did you have any issues with the 542's with one being louder than the other even with balance in the middle? I had a pair and took them back because as soon as I hit tape the balance would be off. Maybe they were defective but I wasn't too blown away by the sound of them anyways. Imo they cut way too much high end for my liking.
@@1972OGTony Hi, I have no problems at all with my two 542 Porticos. Maybe it was because of your cable connection? Same cables, same gain in the interface, maybe something wrong on your API500 lunchbox?
The Silk Blue also does a roll-off in the high frequency range, on the other hand the Silk Red makes a nice emphasis in the high range. Of course, the frequency profile changes whether you work in IPS 15 or 30 mode.
What I like to use is IPS15 in combination with Silk Red, it gives a great bump and glue around 60Hz and raises the highs nicely. Since I have two, I can also use the Porticos in mid/side mode, which is also very useful. 🙂
What sound do you find you use on your fusion?
Do you use it all the time?
@@thedevilsadvocate5210 I mainly use the SSL Fusion for mastering. But not always all of the individual elements such as the Vintage Drive, HF-Comp, HPF or the Transformer etc. And of course you can use the Fusion on individual tracks.
@@1972OGTonyI had this once but it was because of a bad patch bay
Acustica Coral Suite has an emulation of SPL PQ EQ. They also have Celestial which is an emulation of the Fusion
yeah and they don't really sound like em especially the SPL
Please don't say that or I'm gonna send you a shit mix and wait for you to give me the finished sound with one pluing.
Celestial, sadly, is not an emulation of the Fusion. Quotes from Giancarlo from Acustica: "Celestial is not a copy of any hardware" and "I see people are comparing celestial to a specific hardware device and brand, I repeat it again: celestial is our vision of a master bus and mix channel, it is not meant to be a clone." He said somewhere else that a Fusion was not used at all during the development of Celestial.
@@jorykevinberger7047 Giancarlo said it was based on the SSL Fusion but they changed a lot of stuff. It DOES have the high frequency compressor like the Fusion though.
@@entity9588 wanted to let you know SSL released two plugins today from the Fusion. Vintage drive/density and the width/space. I look forward to testing them out. High frequency compressor to come apparently. Cheers.
Thanks.. so grateful
Tim Pethericks L-Bus 2 by far the best SSL Bus Compressor plugin. Beats all the others easily and costs only around 30$
Have you compared this to the ssl native bus comp version 2? I have that one and wasn't sure I'd the timp would be redundant or not.
@@stanleyc6225 I have quite a few ssl G bus compressors including the new SSL one. Nothing comes close to TimP’s L Bus. It’s the best ITB SSL G Comp hands down.
@@stanleyc6225 hey mate! yeah I compared these two and 99% of the time I go with TimP's L-Bus V2. It's just sounding fatter and punchier.
@@PavlisBeats Don’t forget that added 3D ness and depth that Nebula Libraries add which is honestly just magical. Normal algorithm plugins much like the new SSL comp just doesn’t come close to that unfortunately. The closest thing to getting that 3D ness and depth is Acustica’s own plugins or UAD’s plugins.
Check out Celestial by Acustica. A sampled Fusion that they modded.
Why do you need the ssl to have a high pass?
he means a side chain high pass. so that the sub bass doesn’t trigger the masterbus compressor and cause the track to sound like it’s being pumped
@@hobobo9 ahh understood! Thank you. Wonder why that compressor didn’t have that?
Wait.... what?! I’ll be back as soon as works done! Omg.... can’t focus! The clock is going soooo slow!
The plugins are just missing the weight of the analog gear
Well yeah 😄
Wow so interesting!!!
I like the challenge you take! Lmao
Is this is mixing or master
Says 2bus. 2bus processing is mixing not mastering
No full video? Come on!!! I live in Argentina, full courses in dollars price its imposible!!
man i want to be your friend, how can we arrange that? :)
Tape Face by Kive
Cheers
2 plugins can do it better: the abbey road "j37" and "saturator". I"m no fan of Izotope
a lot views in jus 2 days amazing topic...lol.
That dude ADs are still on your videos man 🤦🏾♂️
well yeah ahah I can't really do anything about that
Q&A: David, how do you think, how long you will be able to work in this branch? 10 years? Do you have any plans for changing profession in future? I see all pro engineers do more and more commercials, is there still many clients for ordering mixing mastering with normal money value?
I don't know about others but I'm booked solid months ahead and my client list only got bigger. And in a utopian possible future in which music is written by AI and mastered by AI, I still don't see mixing happening. That is a stage that, if ever, will be the last to "go". Way too complicated, way too many parts moving and most important, the one thing where you need a human being's taste and experience (mastering too but mixing is 100x) I think if there are engineers who saw regression are the ones who didn't stay up to date, didn't keep moving forward, incorporate new tools, techs etc.. Mix and mastering is still my "day job" and I don't see it going anywhere, with that said, I do produce my artist which is doing great, and it's not out of the question that after her we will scout more.
@@mixbustv thank you for the answer 🙂