Thanks for all the comments! I got an SSL G back in my studio and I've been doing more comparisons. I have to admit I prefer the SSL in most cases. It puts a "sheen" over the mix, cleans up nasty frequencies and does something magical to the vocal and snare. But man- AudioScape kills for the money. It's such a brilliant unit! I'm hoping to get a Stam to shootout!
@@abbery9202 I used a C2 a LONG time ago. I seem to remember liking it on the mix. I just got another SSL G and I'm getting the new Stam comp to compare in a new video soon!
This video helped me pull the trigger on an AS buss comp just a few minutes ago. It’s hard to get the whole picture on UA-cam, but I found it sounded really close to the SSL, and at a very attractive price point for someone like myself who’s just venturing into hardware (not to mention being made in the US). Thanks for the video!
That SSL has the low end smack and density that the Audioscape doesn't do for some reason, You can hear it in the character of the thwack in the kick drum. The AS is nice I must admit, and highly useful, but that SSL is pulling the stops for the last 5-10% of magic, IMO.
I have the SSL sigma and Audioscape bus compressor, really pleased with it and the guys at Audioscape are a real pleasure to deal with! Would I like an SSL ? Yeah of cause, it sounds better, $3000 more? It depends on what your budget is, sadly i could not justify it for my small home studio.
I ended up buying a used SSL G comp and it's really stunning. I still have the AS, but I am not using it much. I have a Heritage Successor for my drum buss (which is awesome). I still think the AudioScape is a killer deal, but the SSL just has "the sound". Thanks!
The punch on the SSL was awesome and enhanced the mix in almost every setting. Unfortunately, I never got that feeling when you messed with the AudioScape.
It seems that the SSL sounds a tad smoother, rounder, a tad more musical, so i would say i prefer the ssl BUT the difference in price is so huge i'll go for the AS unless i win the lottery.
The AUTO release time constants on the Audioscape are wrong. Notice how the SSL in AUTO retains a lot of gain reduction on average, while the Audioscape quickly drops gain reduction every time.
Actually, I feel like there is quite a lot of difference. I was hoping there wouldn't be but the SSL really dues glue it all together and add a radio sheen to the sound. Sounds finished.
I just tried out the new SSL Bus Comp 2 plug-in. I may do a comparison video. I am VERY impressed by it. I have the original plug-in and it's not so great. This version 2 is much closer in sound to the XLogic hardware- not quite as nice, but I will certainly be using it for ITB mixes.
@@audioallstar The V.2 channel strip is no joke! Sounds really good. I compared it to a real G comp on the access analog website ( you run your tracks through the gear in their shop and print the output to separate track). Matched the settings by sight and then ear and I got them very very close. Hardware had the depth and was a tad tighter in lows and snappier in highs. But honestly, it was so close and some of that will depend on the tolerance differences in the units. Depth and snap are always the differentiating factors between hardware and plugin but so is the price difference. I mean 3K vs 49$. No brainer especially if you then sum back out through analog gear to get a bit more punch and 3D back.Even closer.
The Audio scape added a ton of bottom on my end. Listening through Neuman KH120s. Sounded like it brought a lower active into focus. Wish you had engaged the side chain
The SSL has that really cool polished high end, but I just love the way the audioscape pumps in a cool way and seems to have more character in the low mids and low end. Really glad I bought one, the SSL really doesn’t seem like $3000 better to me as much as I love if
Thanks so much. I've been through A LOT of gear and the SSL XLogic is still with me. Just has that sound. I have bought and sold a few Audioscape items but they just don't stick around long. I haven't heard the Bus+ yet. I'm sure it's great, but it is not made in England like this one. I really love the XLogic.
Cool video! Check out the Dramatic Audio Obsidian if you like the Smart. Same era design just a little easier on the wallet. Can’t go wrong w/ an Obsidian or a Smart!
Fanboyism aside, the SSL wins but by a touch. I’m sure if you put time in any compressor and practice with different source material the audioscape could do wonders. But at the end of the day what matters is what you think about your final choice
of the dropbox files, i liked the audioscape better on the drums and the x-logic better on the mix. was the sc hpf enabled on those drums on the audioscape? thanks again for sharing. i have a great clone with beaucoup features, but i'll always have a wandering eye for that x-logic! update: successor on drums for me today. nice snare detail.
Can you please help me understand the side chain on the ssl ? If I am running a stereo mix through the ssl and want to use the external side chain to use a high pass filter, I see the ssl only has a mono key input ? So how would that work using a stereo mix ? I’m so confused
Audioscape side chain section has a built in side chain EQ filter. SSL is an external side chain with nothing built in, so you need to connect an EQ to it to act as a side chain. Google using hardware EQ side chain.
I wanted so badly the Audioscape to sound as good as the SSL. But no way... I see people talking about "value" - (it doesn't worth the 3000 difference). How much it worths to be able to achieve THAT sound? (not something close, or trying to 'convince' yourself that you're 'satisfied' with not THAT sound that you wanted?). The point is, whatever the setting, even in all your tweakings, the SSL always sounded great, expensive, polished. In none circustance the Audioscape sounded like this. So, yes, I'm frustrated.
I hear you. The AS unit was used more for sub-groups like drums. I am really happy with the SSL. Paired with my Sigma it's just perfect. I'm trying out the AS Opto compressor soon. I love the price point of the gear, but I do notice a difference in sound. Thanks!
I’m literally about to go buy the audioscape gbus right now from marketplace. It sounds really good. But the SSL has this very unique punch that I haven’t heard from any of the clones. You can hear it on the “thwap” kind of sound on the snare. Even the new ssl 500 series doesn’t do it. Btw if you’re reading this and considering getting the newer ssl gbus 500 series, dont…they’re complete trash.
In earnest, I like the SSL sound better. I was expecting maybe at thousand dollar difference in price which might be justifiable for a very serious engineer. Turns out the difference is 3k which makes buying the SSL silly.
I thought the c2 had a speacial crunch feature that the c1 did not have but have not tried them! The stam ssl and the audio scape is a good matchup Would like to see that
People are used to what the ssl does to the midrange. Even if the other one sounded better no one would think so. We have become attached to that ssl sound. Its not perfect. And thats the point.
I was using the Tascam to record the 2 mix to DSD file. I have since decided that was overkill. I just run back into Pro Tools to print. I'm not summing much anymore.
AudioScape is flabby and lacks the punch/definition and tightness the SSL has. And honestly, once SSL released the Bus+ they pretty much made all clones irrelevant. Good demo/comparison though. Thanks!
Yeah, the SSL did this better, I'm afraid. You'd be silly to buy one though. It costs WAY more than it has any right to. It's better to use plugins, because it is better than the AudioScape, but it's not THAT much better. And it MAY POSSIBLY be better than plugins, but not by enough to warrant even spending a thousand pounds, absolutely no way. I've used an original SSL 4040 console for years, and I always used the bus compressor built into it, but I would MUCH rather use plugins than pay more than a thousand pounds for one, considering that plugins are where they are now quality wise.
Great insight. I don't even want to say what I paid for the XLogic SSL. I got an insane deal on it. It was $2k. I figured I can make some money down the road with it. I do like the software SSL comp but I really like the IK T Racks Buss Comp. It sounds great!
Thanks for all the comments! I got an SSL G back in my studio and I've been doing more comparisons. I have to admit I prefer the SSL in most cases. It puts a "sheen" over the mix, cleans up nasty frequencies and does something magical to the vocal and snare. But man- AudioScape kills for the money. It's such a brilliant unit! I'm hoping to get a Stam to shootout!
Brian, have you considered/tried Smart C1/C2?
@@abbery9202 I used a C2 a LONG time ago. I seem to remember liking it on the mix. I just got another SSL G and I'm getting the new Stam comp to compare in a new video soon!
I'm all about the AudioScape Comp
the x-logic sounds explosive. so hard to spend the money for one with so many decent hw and software clones around. thank you for the comparison!
The Audioscape is quite nice...but the SSL has a more 'finished' sound. It feels like a record.
I agree. I still have the SSL and use it all the time.
This video helped me pull the trigger on an AS buss comp just a few minutes ago. It’s hard to get the whole picture on UA-cam, but I found it sounded really close to the SSL, and at a very attractive price point for someone like myself who’s just venturing into hardware (not to mention being made in the US). Thanks for the video!
Thanks, Trey. You will not be disappointed with the AS. If I didn’t find the SSL for a screaming deal I’d still have the AS.
great video. the SSL sounds awseome. ugh
That SSL has the low end smack and density that the Audioscape doesn't do for some reason, You can hear it in the character of the thwack in the kick drum. The AS is nice I must admit, and highly useful, but that SSL is pulling the stops for the last 5-10% of magic, IMO.
I have the SSL sigma and Audioscape bus compressor, really pleased with it and the guys at Audioscape are a real pleasure to deal with! Would I like an SSL ? Yeah of cause, it sounds better, $3000 more? It depends on what your budget is, sadly i could not justify it for my small home studio.
I ended up buying a used SSL G comp and it's really stunning. I still have the AS, but I am not using it much. I have a Heritage Successor for my drum buss (which is awesome). I still think the AudioScape is a killer deal, but the SSL just has "the sound". Thanks!
the SSL straight sounds like a record
The punch on the SSL was awesome and enhanced the mix in almost every setting. Unfortunately, I never got that feeling when you messed with the AudioScape.
Thanks for your feedback! I still have the SSL.
It seems that the SSL sounds a tad smoother, rounder, a tad more musical, so i would say i prefer the ssl BUT the difference in price is so huge i'll go for the AS unless i win the lottery.
Appreciate this video. I can hear differences more in your video than any other I've seen yet.
Thank you! The downloadable tracks may reveal even more.
The AUTO release time constants on the Audioscape are wrong. Notice how the SSL in AUTO retains a lot of gain reduction on average, while the Audioscape quickly drops gain reduction every time.
is that what is sounds like, or what you saw happening on the meter?
@@matthewteden2212 both
The real one blew away the Audioscape imho. And I am fan of audioscape By The Way.
Actually, I feel like there is quite a lot of difference. I was hoping there wouldn't be but the SSL really dues glue it all together and add a radio sheen to the sound. Sounds finished.
I just tried out the new SSL Bus Comp 2 plug-in. I may do a comparison video. I am VERY impressed by it. I have the original plug-in and it's not so great. This version 2 is much closer in sound to the XLogic hardware- not quite as nice, but I will certainly be using it for ITB mixes.
@@audioallstar The V.2 channel strip is no joke! Sounds really good. I compared it to a real G comp on the access analog website ( you run your tracks through the gear in their shop and print the output to separate track). Matched the settings by sight and then ear and I got them very very close. Hardware had the depth and was a tad tighter in lows and snappier in highs. But honestly, it was so close and some of that will depend on the tolerance differences in the units. Depth and snap are always the differentiating factors between hardware and plugin but so is the price difference. I mean 3K vs 49$. No brainer especially if you then sum back out through analog gear to get a bit more punch and 3D back.Even closer.
It's really hard to tell through youtube compression.. I'd say maybe the SSL sounds a bit smoother?
Cool music man. Make more content and put it out there. I got your back. Sounds really cool.
The Audio scape added a ton of bottom on my end. Listening through Neuman KH120s. Sounded like it brought a lower active into focus. Wish you had engaged the side chain
Audioscape has some type of upper harmonic thing going on, very nice and full.
wow the ssl really controls things and just makes it sound like a record.. I'm not hearing that with the audio scape .... both still sound good though
I agree. The differences are subtle. But I've been extremely happy with the SSL.
The SSL has that really cool polished high end, but I just love the way the audioscape pumps in a cool way and seems to have more character in the low mids and low end. Really glad I bought one, the SSL really doesn’t seem like $3000 better to me as much as I love if
it's most definitely worth the money that audioscape sounds like azz compared to it, no contest.
Top video, what a sound from SSL ... Does the new SSL + has the same sound or is as good as this XLogic series comp.?
Thanks so much. I've been through A LOT of gear and the SSL XLogic is still with me. Just has that sound. I have bought and sold a few Audioscape items but they just don't stick around long. I haven't heard the Bus+ yet. I'm sure it's great, but it is not made in England like this one. I really love the XLogic.
Cool video! Check out the Dramatic Audio Obsidian if you like the Smart. Same era design just a little easier on the wallet. Can’t go wrong w/ an Obsidian or a Smart!
The Obsidian has output transformers the Allen Smart and SSL do not. Fun fact
I have the Smart 2 and love it on Mixbuss.
Great demo man! Maybe some more in the future?
The SSL is definitely better. The Audioscape sounds kind of mushy and blurry by comparison. The SSL has clearer bottom and snap to it.
Yes I would love to hear the C1 vs Audioscape....
ssl nailed it
Fanboyism aside, the SSL wins but by a touch. I’m sure if you put time in any compressor and practice with different source material the audioscape could do wonders. But at the end of the day what matters is what you think about your final choice
I prefer the SSL, but they both work. Interestingly, the Audioscape does sound more like my SSL Buss Plus
Whats the thing under the audioscape buss comp? Great video !!
Do you mean the Dangerous D Box? It's a monitor controller and summing mixer. It's wonderful.
of the dropbox files, i liked the audioscape better on the drums and the x-logic better on the mix. was the sc hpf enabled on those drums on the audioscape? thanks again for sharing. i have a great clone with beaucoup features, but i'll always have a wandering eye for that x-logic!
update: successor on drums for me today. nice snare detail.
The Successor is a truly wonderful unit. I LOVE it on drums.
Oh and solid SNare.
Can you please help me understand the side chain on the ssl ? If I am running a stereo mix through the ssl and want to use the external side chain to use a high pass filter, I see the ssl only has a mono key input ? So how would that work using a stereo mix ? I’m so confused
Audioscape side chain section has a built in side chain EQ filter. SSL is an external side chain with nothing built in, so you need to connect an EQ to it to act as a side chain. Google using hardware EQ side chain.
I wanted so badly the Audioscape to sound as good as the SSL. But no way...
I see people talking about "value" - (it doesn't worth the 3000 difference). How much it worths to be able to achieve THAT sound? (not something close, or trying to 'convince' yourself that you're 'satisfied' with not THAT sound that you wanted?). The point is, whatever the setting, even in all your tweakings, the SSL always sounded great, expensive, polished. In none circustance the Audioscape sounded like this. So, yes, I'm frustrated.
I hear you. The AS unit was used more for sub-groups like drums. I am really happy with the SSL. Paired with my Sigma it's just perfect. I'm trying out the AS Opto compressor soon. I love the price point of the gear, but I do notice a difference in sound. Thanks!
I’m literally about to go buy the audioscape gbus right now from marketplace. It sounds really good.
But the SSL has this very unique punch that I haven’t heard from any of the clones. You can hear it on the “thwap” kind of sound on the snare. Even the new ssl 500 series doesn’t do it. Btw if you’re reading this and considering getting the newer ssl gbus 500 series, dont…they’re complete trash.
Great vid!
In earnest, I like the SSL sound better. I was expecting maybe at thousand dollar difference in price which might be justifiable for a very serious engineer. Turns out the difference is 3k which makes buying the SSL silly.
I thought the c2 had a speacial crunch feature that the c1 did not have but have not tried them! The stam ssl and the audio scape is a good matchup Would like to see that
Thanks for sharing
People are used to what the ssl does to the midrange. Even if the other one sounded better no one would think so. We have become attached to that ssl sound. Its not perfect. And thats the point.
you record tracks with tascam ?
I was using the Tascam to record the 2 mix to DSD file. I have since decided that was overkill. I just run back into Pro Tools to print. I'm not summing much anymore.
ssl kills. For AudioScape only like 76F, Octocompressor and the V-comp deluxe.
AudioScape is flabby and lacks the punch/definition and tightness the SSL has. And honestly, once SSL released the Bus+ they pretty much made all clones irrelevant. Good demo/comparison though. Thanks!
Yeah, the SSL did this better, I'm afraid. You'd be silly to buy one though. It costs WAY more than it has any right to. It's better to use plugins, because it is better than the AudioScape, but it's not THAT much better. And it MAY POSSIBLY be better than plugins, but not by enough to warrant even spending a thousand pounds, absolutely no way. I've used an original SSL 4040 console for years, and I always used the bus compressor built into it, but I would MUCH rather use plugins than pay more than a thousand pounds for one, considering that plugins are where they are now quality wise.
Great insight. I don't even want to say what I paid for the XLogic SSL. I got an insane deal on it. It was $2k. I figured I can make some money down the road with it. I do like the software SSL comp but I really like the IK T Racks Buss Comp. It sounds great!
...the SSL sounds better. It's got something special I don't hear in the AS. Pretty big difference my ears...in this demo at least.
It s amazing how i can get the same with uad ssl
The SSL is way better, if you cant hear that you need to give up.
That is subjective fool not too mention you can’t judge nothing coming thru UA-cam compression fool
that audioscape sounds like garbage compared to the real thing, no comparison at all.
Come on…the Ssl sounded great the audioscapes was a complete mess. I’d rather have a plug-in than the Audioscapes version.