Which SSL Channel Strip is THE BEST?

INDEX:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Story time
02:05 Comparing the U.I.
02:59 About the test
03:49 Full Comparisson
05:41 EQ Only comparison
07:11 My thoughts
08:04 Drums Comparison
09:12 Which one to pick?
09:46 Disclosure
10:06 Thanks!

[MrSNEAKFREAK]

4K E sounds the most direct to me, with the B sounding a bit more mellow and "warm", and the 9K sounding very similar to 4K but maybe a bit more euphonic with more high end. Interesting! Never really been into SSL stuff, but this was a cool comparison.

[cureheads]

Have to say I bought the SSL UF1 and UC1 after watching your videos. I'm a songwriter self-producer who writes in the style of The Cure, Bowie, Buckley, Bunnymen etc... I've been trying to capture that 80s shiny sound and finally, thanks to your videos I'm starting to get it and my mixing is improving 500% a month. Love your honesty, nerdiness and transparency. I've now got 3 different templates for 4KB 4KE and 9K, mainly because I use Cubase I have to have an SSL plugin in every channel to get the UF1 to follow properly anyway. Our latest project is to write a whole album of original songs in the style of The Cure, to celebrate our 34th anniversary, the 4KB seems to nail that sound from Disintegration and Wish.

[GloveBunniesVideos]

I've been using the SSL Channel Strip 2 across my mix channels for a little while now and, while it's somewhat limited compared to something like the AMEK 9099, I find it gives the most honest and controllable signal of all my channel strip plugins. Great video!

[LekkerDops]

I have just bought the entire ssl digital console hardware and trying to understand all this, and Goldmember here is really helping me. Fantastic

[AdelSweezy]

SSL are hands down the best channel strips

[devarni]

The Native Channel is really the most transparent, it has no (or rather little) non-linear distortion. I like it best because it sounds so direct without feeling like it's adding anything to the signal. If I want color I can add a tape, Pultec etc. or one of the many other (analog) emulations... Thanks for the video ;)

[FernandoGonzalez-cnuu]

The 4K-B is like a soft cozy blanket you pull out when your drinking hot coco by the fire at Christmas time. I think I like it.

[XanderEwald]

I love the SSL 4K B plugin and use it on every track. It sounds great and I can dial in what I need really fast.

[GaragebandandBeyond]

The 4kB sounded great on the drums and the Native channel strip 2 sounded super open and on the instruments. Very interesting. This gives me ideas, thanks!

[EncounterCaneCorso]

Appreciate your comparison. They all sound good. The Native Channel Strip 2 has a certain wideness to it. The 4KB has attitude. The 4KE is really focused. I will definitely be using a combination of them based on what the song needs. The addition of these plugins along with the SSL UF1 and UC1 have made the mixing process faster and much more enjoyable..Great stuff?

[SaturnVoyager]

Thank you so much for this comparison, you really took the time to bring us a real and high quality comparison. I´m in love with the Channel Strip native 2, I put it on everything, but now due to your video I totally wanna check the other two.

[DeepState]

Nice review 🎉🎉 please do a comparison of the brainworx ssl 4000E, G and the 9000j

[caava-music]

I love the B sound - fell in love with it when I got the townhouse compressor from PA - which is based on the b console !

[alexandersorbas]

I always love your song selection...always so good music!

[bobsykes]

Very cool and useful test! The " 4000 E" definitely reminds me of the classic SSL sound. I'm thinking about something like Bob Clearmountain's incredible mixes, Roxy Music's Avalon for example. The modern "Native" one sounds great through the YouTube CODEC, too, and I too found it to be what I'd call clean.

[Bluelagoonstudios]

To make it even worse, I sometimes use different channel strips, like the SSL 9000J (for the great bottom end, and sparkling highs) and for another zone, the API with the 550A (B) EQs and if it really has to be clean, the Focusrite channel strip on some channels, just be creative with all the possibilities. But before you can do this, you have to know the plugins very very well. Because differences can be very subtle. The E is known for rock/ pop and to get that SSL sound, you have to drive it a bit harder than the others, the G has a better expander/ gate/ compressor to my ears. But you are right, it can be overwhelming to see all these channel strips. To my knowledge, there are 20 different types. But maybe I didn't find them all. :)

[djGreenALERT]

The 4000 E was a clear winner to my ears.. I watched again in a blind test and STILL chose the 4000E., both with and without compression, although it was closer that time! It felt cleaner and wider

[marcom.]

I'm a long time Reason user, so I use and appreciate the built-in mixer that is modeled after the SSL 9000K console. Of course it doesn't claim to be a perfect replica, but it does a quite nice job, I would say.

[MarcoPolux]

as your test, for Drums by far the 4K-B is the best. Maybe for all other the Native and last the imho.
The E I didn't like much because precisele the "Ringingness", the 9K sounds Super clean, and the B, man!!!! that really adds character and for the Drums, it makes them super rich.

[IAMTYNCH]

The Channel strip2 Has a open top end n soft low end.. 4kb Sounds darker on top, restricted with a punchy low end, 4KE Sounds natural well rounded