So happy to see this review. I ordered one and wasn’t sure if it was overkill since I already have the fusion. It sounds so good on the drum bus. Thanks again!
how transparent is the unit at unity vs not running through it at all? i found the ssl six to be a bit thinning and losing some depth so wondering if there's some cheaper parts in there, still crazy for $499 atm.
Hey welcome to the channel! Glad you like the content! :-) The review of the Wes Audio Hyperion will be online tomorrow (in 25,5 hours to be exact :-), then next week the Wes Audio Prometheus, the week after that the 2 API 550As, and finally the final video. Stay tuned ;-)
@@MadebyMiike Yes, good new, thanks for that. I will watch your next videos and I am curious to see which module is your favorite. I guess it will be wether a WES Audio or the 2 API´s. Best regards.
On videos like this one, just an idea... use manual focus on your camera. That way the focus is not hunting between your hands and the device. I was struggling to follow your choices. Cheers! Great video content non the less.
Mike, you must be a gift from the god !! 😄I mean, I'm just about to buy a 500 series EQ for mainly mastering purpose and you've already have and tested all three of them I was shuttling back and forth between (xfilter, hyperion, Ultraviolet) Hyperion has the MS +recall option, Xfilter has stepped controls and SSL is a bargain for 500$ but no sure about it's dynamic range & noise level is OK for mastering. (BTW,I love the Elysia stuff I already own the Xpressor500 and Nvelope500 ) Now, between those 3, if you'd a have to choose only one of them, which one would you choose for mastering, and if possible can you tell why, what is your own personal reason ? Thanks in advance, great channel! Subscribed🤘🙏
@@JBrmwell for 500 bucks I can understand SSL has no stepped pots because it seems it's on the budget friendly equipment side. But even 800€ Elysia has steppet pots for easy recall and when you say you'll gonna pay 1900€ to an EQ but it even will not have steppet pots for mastering....I'll unfortunetely skip it.
I'll chime in having used and owned both. The TLDR is that I still have the API 550s. I have the 550B's. I use them literally every day. Where as I sold the SSL Violet EQ shortly after messing around with it. I may resnag it just to "own it", since it's $500. Yes, that's correct $500. There's a reason for that. That reason is unknown. I've heard rumors of SSL going out of business, i've heard rumors they're going to strictly digital and plugins only. I've also heard they're just blowing everything out and getting away from the 500 series game. The reason is something to think about but ultimately it's a fact that this peice of gear that was $1300 just last week, is now $500, and that's a bit scary. Good deals happen, but that stresses me out to as why it's so cheap out of nowhere. Even for a "blackfriday esque" deal. Here are my con's with SSL. SSL is now made in China. They used to be made in the UK and ultimately even though their 500 series felt cheaply made, they had that UK handbuilt and made ideology that certified them as a solid company for me. I feel that since the change to production in China. Quality will tank in all forms. This is a hard truth and I hate saying it but I see SSL more on the lines of Behringer now, and no longer on par with API or Neve. As I just mentioned their stuff feels cheap, and that's just a fact. Even when they were made in the UK. All the stuff feels like garbage to use. Flimsy, plastic and weak. All the knobs are wobbly and buttons are plastic and if pressed hard enough could feel like you just broke something. Even inside the 500 series module they have some plastic. That's just a bad design choice of SSL and while most people don't really care. I hated this. I wish they would've stayed in the UK and continued to make solid gear, made of good quality parts and metals. Here are my pro's with SSL. While no one really looks for the preamps, the eq and compressors that they make are on a completely different level soundwise. SSL delivers here. While their stuff felt badly made, even though it was made in the UK. The fact it sounded so good, makes everyone see past a lot of that. While sound is the biggest factor, as you're using this to process sound. There are other eq's that can get you close to SSL, including their plugins. At $500, it's hard to justify buying a plugin, when you can get the hardware for a little more. Yet, this is where i'd say your budgeting comes in. If you were willing to spend $1300 on the SSL EQ, would you spend $1300 on the Wes Audio Hyperion to get similar results and often "better" results, with a better feel and much more functionality. Is it worth it to go and try to find original made SSL stuff thats going for much more in cost, because people know it's worth and how the move to China automatically brings in cheap results. The old SSL EQ's for the LONGEST time, were my absolute favorite eq, but after using them for a few months on a bunch of mixes, they just didn't match up to my other pieces of gear that I was using in terms of feel and workflow. While I still absolutely desire and crave the sound of an SSL EQ, I just can't feel satisified with spending $2000 on glorified plastic, even if it sounds fucking amazing. The SSL Ultraviolet sounds like an SSL EQ, it gives you that tight clear and SSL EQ feel that you want when you think of an SSL unit. While it's not 100% identical to the older 611EQ or the new E-Series EQ Mk2, it's very close. The Ultraviolet has fixed bands, where as the standalone SSL EQs don't. A little more control on the standalones, but the Ultraviolet gives you the focus mode and of course it's a stereo unit. I'll say it one more time $500. Let's talk API. API is made in America. The gear is built incredibly strong. Built like a tank. Solid. Great feeling gear. No thoughts in my mind that it would every break or get destroyed for continual use. Knobs feel awesome. It's absolutely something you'll have forever, and it's future proof. The API550A is more vintage sounding, and gives you lots of punch and in your face aggression. The mid range is all the rage here. The absolute must for guitars and drums, especially when doing rock and metal music. The API550B is more modern sounding. Adds an additonal eq band. Has the same punch and in your face, but it's not as aggresive. The mid range is all the rage here as well. I think this guy works better for more modern mixes, pop and hip hop. The price for a single API 550A is $1135. You need 2 of them for stereo. So you're looking at $2300 after tax, before you get any discount from your favorite online music store retailer. The thing is, I would spend that $2300, on a pair of API eqs every year, if I absoultely had to. Because they're that damn good. I use them every day, in some way or another. They sound and feel amazing. They just work, and they work well on just about everything. They are expensive, and they don't have all these fancy bells and whistles that some other similar brands offer in the same price range. So at first sign of looking at a 550A or 550B expect to get something expensive, and simple, that just rocks and does it's job well. To me, that's so much better than having something that is junk and cheaply made. Something that will last and hold it's value, versus something you can get quick, cheaply made that depreciates in value by 50% the second you unbox it. API EQ's pretty much sell for what you paid, even after years of use. Consider price, because price is ultimately the biggest thing. A budget is required for any purchase, but just know that it might be worth letting cheap slip, even if it's really cheap, for something of much more value. Hopefully this helps you choose, but if it were up to me, API all day.
Hi, I want to "soften", "warms", ... the sound on my class D amplifier in my stereo setup. Is it possible to integrate this? Maybe between amplifier and speakers or somewhere else in the chain? Thank you.
Lol same troll on every ultra violet ytube video. I have both plus other very high end eq’s. Like it on some things, very smooth eq curves. And really can dig in with focus and the trim is a bonus, it’s cool for what it is. For the price I’d say it’s worth it, but you can get better for more money, like anything else.
Hey thank you for replying to my comment. I’m a customer and have a right to leave my opinion as many times as I want. SSL charged £1000 initially when these came. Out you can now pick them up for less than 300. They were cheap to start with and still are cheap.True SSL has allways been about quality components performance and longevity unfortunately the New SSL isn’t about that it’s made in China on the cheap and sold for maximum profit these cost no more than 100 dollars to make .
Here after picking one of these up for $499. Does anyone recommend a chassis that is quiet and full powered? If anything, I am probably going with the RND R6. Anything else I should check out? I don't want to lose out putting in through sub-optimal power and connectors. Much appreciate the review! To be honest, not as many in -depth reviews of this unit as I thought there would be, but yours was great! Thanks!
Careful with the RND R6, I recall reading about power issues. Don't take my word for granted, though, and google yourself. Just a warning to not blindly go with this one.
I would argue it could help with getting a nice top end on vocals and boosting lows but they certainly have a particular flavor that isn't necessarily going to be needed every time. For the price its probably one of the top units you can integrate if your just getting started
I know this is a completely different price bracket but what do you think about the Zahl Eq1 vs the Ultraviolet? It's around 2k but I'm really trying to decide which one is better 😩. They both look and sound amazing
So happy to see this review. I ordered one and wasn’t sure if it was overkill since I already have the fusion. It sounds so good on the drum bus. Thanks again!
Great video! very helpful. I just ordered one, as they're only $500. i think it's a sweet deal!
how transparent is the unit at unity vs not running through it at all? i found the ssl six to be a bit thinning and losing some depth so wondering if there's some cheaper parts in there, still crazy for $499 atm.
Another great review, just found this, watched the Elysia review and I am waiting for the others, I am curious about the WES Audios.
Hey welcome to the channel! Glad you like the content! :-) The review of the Wes Audio Hyperion will be online tomorrow (in 25,5 hours to be exact :-), then next week the Wes Audio Prometheus, the week after that the 2 API 550As, and finally the final video. Stay tuned ;-)
@@MadebyMiike Yes, good new, thanks for that. I will watch your next videos and I am curious to see which module is your favorite. I guess it will be wether a WES Audio or the 2 API´s. Best regards.
@@MadebyMiike is API550A VIDEO already available ?
Hi, in the master buss who you choose between the elysia and the ssl for best low and high frequency?
On videos like this one, just an idea... use manual focus on your camera. That way the focus is not hunting between your hands and the device. I was struggling to follow your choices. Cheers! Great video content non the less.
Thanks Javier for watching and thanks for the tip!
Hi! If you could pick only one, which 500 format eq would you pick for mastering purpose? TY
If you can wait 2 or 3 more weeks, I will answer that in the last video of this series! Thanks!
@@MadebyMiike never got that video
Can it be used for single mono vocal tracking
Mike, you must be a gift from the god !! 😄I mean, I'm just about to buy a 500 series EQ for mainly mastering purpose and you've already have and tested all three of them I was shuttling back and forth between (xfilter, hyperion, Ultraviolet) Hyperion has the MS +recall option, Xfilter has stepped controls and SSL is a bargain for 500$ but no sure about it's dynamic range & noise level is OK for mastering. (BTW,I love the Elysia stuff I already own the Xpressor500 and Nvelope500 ) Now, between those 3, if you'd a have to choose only one of them, which one would you choose for mastering, and if possible can you tell why, what is your own personal reason ?
Thanks in advance, great channel! Subscribed🤘🙏
For Mastering I would definitely go with the Hyperion! The digital recall is a lifesafer and it just sounds sooo good! Thanks for the sub! ;-)
If it's within your budget range, also give the Zähl EQ1 a shot!
@@JBrmwell for 500 bucks I can understand SSL has no stepped pots because it seems it's on the budget friendly equipment side. But even 800€ Elysia has steppet pots for easy recall and when you say you'll gonna pay 1900€ to an EQ but it even will not have steppet pots for mastering....I'll unfortunetely skip it.
@@MadebyMiike ✌✌❤
@@fattoheadclearly you don’t realize stepped pots for that extra money is still not spot on/ precise lol… you fools believe anything
May I use it for tracking vocals, bass? or just stereo audio?
Of course, you can use if for any kind of audio signal
Amazing review! One question: is it possible to use it with mono signals? Since everybody emphasizes that its a stereo unit.
Yes it is, but only ONE mono signal at a time of course (so no dual mono).
It never felt so easy to eq my vocals
ssl ultraviolet better than api550 ...?
I'll chime in having used and owned both. The TLDR is that I still have the API 550s. I have the 550B's. I use them literally every day. Where as I sold the SSL Violet EQ shortly after messing around with it.
I may resnag it just to "own it", since it's $500. Yes, that's correct $500. There's a reason for that. That reason is unknown. I've heard rumors of SSL going out of business, i've heard rumors they're going to strictly digital and plugins only. I've also heard they're just blowing everything out and getting away from the 500 series game. The reason is something to think about but ultimately it's a fact that this peice of gear that was $1300 just last week, is now $500, and that's a bit scary. Good deals happen, but that stresses me out to as why it's so cheap out of nowhere. Even for a "blackfriday esque" deal.
Here are my con's with SSL. SSL is now made in China. They used to be made in the UK and ultimately even though their 500 series felt cheaply made, they had that UK handbuilt and made ideology that certified them as a solid company for me. I feel that since the change to production in China. Quality will tank in all forms. This is a hard truth and I hate saying it but I see SSL more on the lines of Behringer now, and no longer on par with API or Neve. As I just mentioned their stuff feels cheap, and that's just a fact. Even when they were made in the UK. All the stuff feels like garbage to use. Flimsy, plastic and weak. All the knobs are wobbly and buttons are plastic and if pressed hard enough could feel like you just broke something. Even inside the 500 series module they have some plastic. That's just a bad design choice of SSL and while most people don't really care. I hated this. I wish they would've stayed in the UK and continued to make solid gear, made of good quality parts and metals.
Here are my pro's with SSL. While no one really looks for the preamps, the eq and compressors that they make are on a completely different level soundwise. SSL delivers here. While their stuff felt badly made, even though it was made in the UK. The fact it sounded so good, makes everyone see past a lot of that. While sound is the biggest factor, as you're using this to process sound. There are other eq's that can get you close to SSL, including their plugins. At $500, it's hard to justify buying a plugin, when you can get the hardware for a little more. Yet, this is where i'd say your budgeting comes in. If you were willing to spend $1300 on the SSL EQ, would you spend $1300 on the Wes Audio Hyperion to get similar results and often "better" results, with a better feel and much more functionality. Is it worth it to go and try to find original made SSL stuff thats going for much more in cost, because people know it's worth and how the move to China automatically brings in cheap results. The old SSL EQ's for the LONGEST time, were my absolute favorite eq, but after using them for a few months on a bunch of mixes, they just didn't match up to my other pieces of gear that I was using in terms of feel and workflow. While I still absolutely desire and crave the sound of an SSL EQ, I just can't feel satisified with spending $2000 on glorified plastic, even if it sounds fucking amazing.
The SSL Ultraviolet sounds like an SSL EQ, it gives you that tight clear and SSL EQ feel that you want when you think of an SSL unit. While it's not 100% identical to the older 611EQ or the new E-Series EQ Mk2, it's very close. The Ultraviolet has fixed bands, where as the standalone SSL EQs don't. A little more control on the standalones, but the Ultraviolet gives you the focus mode and of course it's a stereo unit.
I'll say it one more time $500.
Let's talk API.
API is made in America. The gear is built incredibly strong. Built like a tank. Solid. Great feeling gear. No thoughts in my mind that it would every break or get destroyed for continual use. Knobs feel awesome. It's absolutely something you'll have forever, and it's future proof.
The API550A is more vintage sounding, and gives you lots of punch and in your face aggression. The mid range is all the rage here. The absolute must for guitars and drums, especially when doing rock and metal music.
The API550B is more modern sounding. Adds an additonal eq band. Has the same punch and in your face, but it's not as aggresive. The mid range is all the rage here as well. I think this guy works better for more modern mixes, pop and hip hop.
The price for a single API 550A is $1135. You need 2 of them for stereo. So you're looking at $2300 after tax, before you get any discount from your favorite online music store retailer. The thing is, I would spend that $2300, on a pair of API eqs every year, if I absoultely had to. Because they're that damn good. I use them every day, in some way or another. They sound and feel amazing. They just work, and they work well on just about everything.
They are expensive, and they don't have all these fancy bells and whistles that some other similar brands offer in the same price range. So at first sign of looking at a 550A or 550B expect to get something expensive, and simple, that just rocks and does it's job well. To me, that's so much better than having something that is junk and cheaply made. Something that will last and hold it's value, versus something you can get quick, cheaply made that depreciates in value by 50% the second you unbox it. API EQ's pretty much sell for what you paid, even after years of use.
Consider price, because price is ultimately the biggest thing. A budget is required for any purchase, but just know that it might be worth letting cheap slip, even if it's really cheap, for something of much more value. Hopefully this helps you choose, but if it were up to me, API all day.
@@bribriyaga thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
funnest drums ever
Hi, I want to "soften", "warms", ... the sound on my class D amplifier in my stereo setup. Is it possible to integrate this? Maybe between amplifier and speakers or somewhere else in the chain? Thank you.
App: Session Recall exist and has exist for years now. That's a bad category imho to have in a rating
Which sound Best for you UVEQ OR XFILTER?
UVEQ!!
I disagree. The UV eq has hardly any low at all. Try it out 😂👍
Lol same troll on every ultra violet ytube video. I have both plus other very high end eq’s.
Like it on some things, very smooth eq curves. And really can dig in with focus and the trim is a bonus, it’s cool for what it is. For the price I’d say it’s worth it, but you can get better for more money, like anything else.
Hey thank you for replying to my comment. I’m a customer and have a right to leave my opinion as many times as I want. SSL charged £1000 initially when these came. Out you can now pick them up for less than 300. They were cheap to start with and still are cheap.True SSL has allways been about quality components performance and longevity unfortunately the New SSL isn’t about that it’s made in China on the cheap and sold for maximum profit these cost no more than 100 dollars to make .
Cool
Story 😂
Here after picking one of these up for $499. Does anyone recommend a chassis that is quiet and full powered? If anything, I am probably going with the RND R6. Anything else I should check out? I don't want to lose out putting in through sub-optimal power and connectors. Much appreciate the review! To be honest, not as many in -depth reviews of this unit as I thought there would be, but yours was great! Thanks!
Careful with the RND R6, I recall reading about power issues. Don't take my word for granted, though, and google yourself. Just a warning to not blindly go with this one.
Do this work on rap music with heavy 808s
I would argue it could help with getting a nice top end on vocals and boosting lows but they certainly have a particular flavor that isn't necessarily going to be needed every time. For the price its probably one of the top units you can integrate if your just getting started
I know this is a completely different price bracket but what do you think about the Zahl Eq1 vs the Ultraviolet? It's around 2k but I'm really trying to decide which one is better 😩. They both look and sound amazing
Wondering exactly the same thing...