How CLOSE are they REALLY? SSL Bus Comp HARDWARE Vs SOFTWARE 

The general issue with plugins on the master (not just the ssl bus comp, but others as well) is that they don't have the widening and brightening effect of hardware. That leads to more work to get to a similar end result.

It's virtually the same every time you or anyone else does these comparisons. Hardware is always going to sound, and this is the point, 'CLEARER' than the plugin emulation. And that means we'll hear more punch, sheen, silkiness, everything!...especially depth! Great shoot out, Mitch!

Someone was getting pretty close with software, on a hardware vs software comparison. Using two plug-ins: Sand 4 by Acustica for character and just a little compression to add a little more irregularity and aliveness to the compression... Mixed with a pretty clean algorithmic SSL bus compressor plug-in with some compression, to get more consistent compression going. The Sand was getting the character right, put the compression wasn't consistent enough by itself. The trickiest part to dial in was the release

The SSL plugin has much better transient response in 8x Oversampling, yet you didn't switch in on bro so not a fair comparison. P.S I made my own SSL 500 series (and rack years earlier) using Gold Can DBX VCA 202s and I still use the SSL plugin alot as it's easy and sounds good.

I have a hardware ssl clone, and everytime I do these A/B comparisons the plugins seem to do the ssl thing very well, but the hardware grabs everything better, smooth everything out better, and adds nice harmonics, it's just not the same.

do you use the g bus hardware on the master bus in daily use, or just on stems, or on everything if it calls for it?

I recorded this locally and did painstaking A/B tests between hardware and SSL plugin (considering buying it) and I noticed the reverb tails on the hardware are considerably wider and more defined. The vocal seems to have more spread and overall just more dimensional space. Also takes the edge off as well and sounds smoother even with the YT compression on top. Kind of annoys me, but then again the plugin is on sale for $30 right now so maybe I win anyways.

Nice comparison! Can the XR626 do sidechain high-pass filtering?

The best SSL bus compressor I have heard to this day is the one in the Kiive Audio NFuse.

Why OS disabled on SSL plugin? This is the most important control on that plugin

Hello, great video. Regarding saturation and compression. I have 2 questions for you. I am running Cranborne 500r8 with 2 Capi Heiders, Serpent SB4001, and a pair of neve 542’s. So my question is; should I take the time to run each track through this chain and back into the daw before mixing even begins? (Speaking of programmed drums, vocals etc..) or would you just run your busses through? I was thinking of running literally every track from GGD through it individually, every cymbal, everything before mixing. I guess that’s all 😂 thank you for your wonderful content.

Why would you compare a uad plugin that runs at a higher sample rate with the ssl native and not use over sampling? The waves is trash. Sounds so digital and dated.

The differences!! You’re finally converting me to the dark side lollll (It’s Caleb) Ableton - Glue Compressor by Cytomic vs these three would be amazing!

the hardware is not only better in quality but also in depth, stereo width. Both plugins sound close, hardware is a different league

Finally someone who can hear clear differences between hardware and plugins. The examples weren't volume matched correctly however (the hardware was tiny bit louder every time that's why the "wow" effect was bigger than in reality - I was reaching for a volume knob while you was playing examples and there was a difference but it was way smaller)

Hello. I have also tried different SSL plugins vs hardware clones of SSL Bus Comp. I find the SSL Native plugin very close but as you also highlighted its missing some punch, slight less clarity on high end and narrower stereo image compared to the hardware. On the hardware I have tried the Warm Bus Comp which has punch but lacks a bit the other 2 (clarity and wide stereo image). It is a good compressor for the money but I would use it more on a drum bus and not on the master bus. Besides it can be used as a color box, not compressing and engaging transformer for some color ;-) Then I gave a try on the Bettermaker Bus Comp which for me is doing same SSL thing, it is more transparent, some are saying it lacks personality, the stereo image is great and on top of this is controlled from the plugin so recall is a dream in each session. Also it includes analog saturation control + PEAK/RMS detection. Similar bus compressor is the Wes Dione which has a lot of fans. A total killer for the future would be the SSL Bus+ with plugin control .