In this video I talk about both the #SSL #SIX CH and the #Neve511 #Pre-amps. I provide my opinion on the two preamps and also discuss features and provide audio examples.
I have a Neve 1073 OPX, Joe Meek, API 550, RND 511, and SSL Six. I spent hours last night recording a band whose budget allowed me to spend an extra long time with each individual. I did multiple takes through multiple mics with multiple preamps. The difference between all of them were somewhat subtle in some cases and extreme in others. I have a softer yet, harsh rock voice, and I like it best through the API It makes it sound totally tuff and rock ‘n’ roll But the SSL with EQ and compression made it so smooth and crisp, and very very, very awesome The 511 was super super smooth and harmonically rich. But also extremely subtle compared to the others. This becomes valuable and I’ll explain later. The 1073 sounded godly that’s all I can say but we’re also talking $5000 or $6000 I could’ve made any of these preamps work . But they all definitely had a different flavor and I would say the SSL would work with anything and the 511 would work with anything. The API would work with anything. And the 1073 would work with anything. And that’s when I realized what I’ve been doing for years is that I audition every source through all of them until I get the vibe that I think that particular source needs. The 511 sounds awesome with drums, but the API has this crushing smooth Rich sound on drums that nothing else matches. the 1073 sounds incredibly bad ass on drums too. So I could just go on and on about how I love the 511 on acoustics, and I love the API on acoustics But then you start stacking tracks, and when you have nine double guitar tracks you start getting some muddy crap. I have some cheaper preamps I use for scratch tracks and that’s where you really noticed the difference easily with a few tracks. With the nicer preamps you don’t get that and I’ve noticed with the SSL6 I never ever get that muddy song when I start adding a bunch of tracks . That’s my two. Cents.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video dude , really appreciate it I feel like both of these units were really nice The SSL seemed slightly wider on the bottom , but the Neve was tight top and bottom and more natural , the SSL is a sound that I particularly love especially when it comes to thickening the bottom up , so both these units would have a place in any studio
I’d put both of these in my rack. Have the 511 and 517 both of which I love. But I can see where the SSL would offer a more transparent audio capture with some shaping capabilities for a really nice price.
sorry guys but 551 beats the budget SSL. This is not VHD pre guys, and it doesn't saturate, you cannot push it hard, it's always lineer.. Neve has smoother high and better mid & lo-mid response which shows whats going on those freq like on drums and bass example.. Thank you for your effort, level matched great comparision!
Depends on what your looking for, if you want a clean preamp with some eq and a compressor on it for the price i dont think its bad at all. I have a api preamp I usually use for vocals but grabbed this when it first came out just cause the options for the price and i have to say its actually alot better than i thought it was going to be for the price lol. It definitely isnt the best channel strip out there but for a clean solid signal for this price its great for that.
The 511 crushes. I own four, and wouldn't hesitate to make a whole album with it, ever. It's amazing that SSL crammed all that stuff into a 500, but it's missing that transformer vibe. For roughly the same money as the SSL, get the Camden, then comp and EQ ITB.
The SSL is really awesome, but I seriously miss the transformer. The Portico sounds fatter even when it’s flat, but you can accomplish a pretty awesome vibe with the Camden for roughly half the price of the Portico.
Drums and Percussion - SSL Bass and Keys - Neve Although the last track with the rhodes sounded cleaner on the SSL. I am sold on both. They both do different things needed for a good mix! This is probably one of the best comparisons video about these two modules. Great job bro! 👊🏾💯
The Neve sounds slightly brighter and fatter to my ears, but honestly, the difference is so tiny it's not worth worrying about. The gear you already have is good enough. Instead of wasting your time comparing SSL, Neve, API and so-on, spend your time and effort trying to get the best performance, the best acoustic environment, the best mic-placement, the best mixing decisions - all these factors are many orders of magnitude more important that what hardware you're sending it through.
Man, huge differences though. No argument the preamp importance comes after the quality of the music and performance… but man, the differences between two different preamps can be huge, and absolutely enhance a recording. In this case, neither is bad… but they sound really different in some key places/instruments. Not tiny. Huge.
To really get a feel we need to hear a whole mix recorded with each. But none the less this goes to show that SSL put together a very attractive piece for not a whole lot of dough. The RND does have a bit more openness but these are line examples. We need to hear the mics on various sources.
I agree, I'd love to, if I had more support from people who watch my channel. Unfortunately I don't have the resources to spend that much time on fun things like that at the moment. Thanks for your comment 👍
for me, Neve wins on all aspects except attack and punch, which is something id rather obtain through a ssl g-comp anyway. Neve has a bit more depth to it i feel. i wonder what it would do to a stereo signal. great video!
@@zanem9022 well, compared against the SSL SIX preamp i would say it's miles better. But ye old neve is a league of its own. Also clones of old neve. But old neve isn't as versatile either, so you take and you give.
I liked Neve on that 1st drum beat...it was fuller. I hear the API 512c is killer on drums as well...that wouldve really been nice to hear these samples goin thru all 3...
The Neve pre-amp does sound a bit clearer but the character of the SSL isn't bad at all and for the price difference I don't see why you wouldn't go with the SSL. If you are wanting a transparent pre-amp and EQ it's not that hard to do that with a way cheaper pre-amp and mix in the box. I know some people just like using hardware and like to own "Neve" shit, but for real, if you are being practical about it I would find more use for the SSL and you can almost get two of them if you find the right place to get them for the price of the Neve gear. The SSL also has a phase switch, so if you are trying to set up an external mixing set-up and record with differing set-ups in a real studio application, that phase switch can be a life saver. Gives you just another option if you want to use it to mix or use it as an external compressor/color. A little dirtier, a lot more versatile and much cheaper. Clear winner here IMHO.
Speaking of SSL....they just came out with that new SSL Big Six mixer TODAY ( i think)...theres only a few channels talking about it...if you take that and add API The Channel Strip and the Neve Shelford and a few good mics...you ready!!!!
I was wondering when SSL would bring that out 🙂 that's awesome, I'll have to check it, I had heard SSL where looking at a larger version of the SSL SIX. and yeah the API channel strip is a beast. If only I had one! I've used the API 2500 compressor hardware before, it was real nice 🙂
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction That API channel is killer...it doesnt have the master bus compressor but youd have the G4 on the SSL so you wont need the 2500..Just those 3 items mention will cost nearly 10k but youll have the REAL deal instead of plugins thats trying to immulate these items
I'm not going to say the difference is drastic, but the Neve sounds cleaner and more dynamic. The SSL sounds punchier and heavier, but again, these are subtle differences.
Idk man, that whole 6 minute mark of bass and then into the keys was really obvious to me. I think for my style, the SSL was better for me. The Neve in the second half of the 7 minute mark had like a pulse of low frequency fade in and out like the compressor was not set for steady. it pulsed up after a second or so
@@zanem9022 it's great for that, I use it for all my vocal recordings now. The comp has a set, but good attack and release settings and auto makeup gain.
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction hey stupid question lol... when you a different pre to use the ssl use eq/comp, do u just engage the line button and the preamp input from back now act as a line input? Did i get that right?
SSL is much thicker and neve feels more natural and round. I feel I’d like the neve for vocals . I’m in a position to gather some gear and am new to production myself, looking to do recordings of my songs and some production to get a solid tone on my own. I was wondering, preamps could also be used as insert during mixing for their tonal qualities rigjt?, they aren’t just Strictly limited to recording? I’m just gathering my thoughts on all the uses for certain gear and gaining a fair amount of analogue weight to my sound .
low end 511 win,price SSL winI used the NEVE 1073DPA for many years, and it is very good to use it for lead vocals and lead instruments, and when recording vocal harmony, I usually play it directly with my own words on OMNI, because he does not stand out, NEVE sound is too easy to stand out in the overall mix, especially if you record an acoustic guitar strum, it will also grab the focus of the vocals
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction I just got the SIX and I want to pair it with the first channel of the SSL Pure Drive Octo. If that works, I'll do 7 more and have them for every insert. Like a small SSL mixer lol
lol, SSL lacks low end compared to Neve. although SSL might have more saturated low mids which is what i believe you hear. for me Neve is a lot better in terms of clarity and musicality and also brings out a depth to the sound which SSL does not.
Im sorry new Rupert neve is overated. its way too overpriced for smt which should 1/3 off the cost. Also Too clean with low 500 headroom. If anything id try the ssl first. I don't see much difference here anyway
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction it may have had something to do with the pricing and popularity of the Six and Big Six mixers...they both have channel strips on them.
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction I’m looking at the Cranborne USB or ADAT 500 series hybrid box vs the Big Six. I’m selling off a few pieces of gear. Do you still have the Antelope?
@@bigdap100 I like that Cranborne 500 box. It seems to have some interesting features. Still have the Orion. Will be adding some other AD options to the mix later like BURL or Dangerous AD possibly
I feel the SSL has more punch. Probably due to the compressor (not sure if you had it enabled thoughout but it sure sounds like it on a couple tracks.) I own a SiX and no Neve gear so maybe I'm just more tuned into the SSL sound. I saw someone else mentioned the Big SiX and man does that thing look sweeeeeeet.
I left the comp off for this video to keep it as fair as possible. And yep I'd love to test out the new Big SiX, it looks like a good option for mixing and summing audio for that SSL vibe 😎
@@CrossbeatsMusicProduction I figured you left it off for a fair comparison. So the punch was just the source material and I definitely got that wrong!
