Solid State Logic SSL2 2-In/2-Out USB Audio Interface $200
$199.99
$229.99
+28Deal Score
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A great many retailers of audio gear (more than I can list) that carry this this well-reviewed audio interface have reduced it from the $230 list price down to $200. Curiously, the SSL2+ version with additional I/O and headphone output went up in price from $280 to $300. Perhaps the price change is a move from Solid State Logic to sell more base SSL2 units?
There are many more store links than this, but here are some to look at:
also it seems weird that the Monitor Level knob is the biggest thing on there. Is that really the most important thing?
Here is the text from the user manual explaining what the "4K" buttons do. It imparts an EQ boost to the higher frequencies resulting in a "brighter" recording and is very similar in purpose to the Air Mode on Focusrite interface if you're familiar with them:
Quote
:
LEGACY 4K - ANALOGUE ENHANCEMENT EFFECT
Engaging this switch allows you to add some extra analogue 'magic' to your input when you need it. It injects a combination of
high-frequency EQ-boost, together with some finely tuned harmonic distortion to help enhance sounds. We have found it to be
particularly pleasant on sources such as vocals and acoustic guitar. This enhancement effect is created completely in the analogue
domain and is inspired by the kind of extra character the legendary SSL 4000-series console (often referred to as '4K') could add
to a recording. The 4K was renowned for many things, including a distinctive 'forward', yet musical-sounding EQ, as well as its
ability to impart a certain analogue 'mojo'. You will find that most sources become more exciting when the 4K switch is engaged!
As for the large Monitor dial, this is what controls the volume going into your stereo monitor speakers. It's not that uncommon for them to be large since it facilitates quick handling to adjust to audio of varying loudness (can be important in a DJ setting, for example). Focusrite, Audient, MOTU interfaces also use large monitor dials.
Thanks I kind of know how a little bit but was wondering if the compressor on a mixer would be good enough that I wouldn't have to go through and manually do it all afterwards.
If you're wanting to compress to avoid clipping the input or the converter, then perhaps a mixer with compression would help a little, depending on the source, but mic placement, turning down the source a little, or adjusting playing style can accomplish this. The one-knob compression on Yamaha's mixers is handy for limiting vocal pops and evening things out in a small live setting, but you really don't have the controls over the compressor required to "improve" the sound. The reverb effects are decent enough on such mixers, but plugins will take you much further. Inserting anything other than a pre-amp between a mic and the interface isn't necessarily going to improve your sound; It could also introduce noise and unnecessary complexity making it harder to get good clean recordings.
If you're talking evening out or fattening vocals, drums, bass or the whole mix, then I'd say record as clean as possible and use plugins in your DAW. There's tons of excellent free VSTs. Two of my favorites that I use frequently are DigitalFishPhones Blockfish[plugins4free.com] for compression on bass and drums, and Denis Tihanov's OrilRiver Reverb[plugins4free.com]. Blockfish is super simple and effective, and easy to tweak, but if you're not sure how to use compression, there's presets included which are very good. OrilRiver is a bit daunting in the number of controls provided, but the presets are so impressive, you may not need to do much tweaking beyond mixing the wet/dry signal. EQ is another area where plugins excel, with many including a spectrum analyzer to help you visualize what you are doing to the sound as you make changes. But where the source is a microphone, always start with mic choice and placement. EQ should be a last resort if you're not getting the sound you want to start with (and you can't add something with EQ that wasn't there in the first place; It's much easier to subtract with eq).
You mention having to "go through and do it all manually afterwards", so I sense you're looking for the easy button, no? If you're finding applying effects chains tedious, perhaps look into saving track templates with them already applied and set to your liking, or using saved FX chains depending on the software you are using. I use Reaper and once you have FX applied to a track, it's a super simple matter to save that FX chain (there's even an option to save that FX chain as the default for new tracks). It'll make your workflow much easier and help you avoid spending hours tweaking instead of recording
I got a question for anyone who knows more than me. I have a bluebird and a focusrite solo. I have protools but was wondering if I can get better sound coming in by using a mixer with a compressor, high, mid, low, and possibly use the effects here and there for like a little reverb or whatever? Or should I just skip trying to do that and use the plug-ins?
Definitely go with an audio interface with good Mic preamps and do the other stuff with plugins. This posting is a great product. Generally, I would avoid mixers if you are doing recording and production. Most mixers also only allow you to do one effect at a time per channel.
I did as well. I considered the SSL(+) and the Audient iD4, but went with the MOTU M4 for a number of reasons including the excellent metering, low latency, high headroom, direct input monitoring, and midi (which I don't really need since my midi devices all do USB midi). This is a good deal for a well reviewed interface, but for $30 more I'd go with the M4 again in a heartbeat.
Registering the SSL2 or SSL2+ at the Solid State Logic website gives you their "SSL Production Pack." What that includes is in the attached page from the manual.
The Behringer UMC404HD is $149, has 4 inputs, effects loop, 48V, etc....if you're looking for 4 input.
I use that and a MOTU MK3 and get excellent results.
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I only use direct input, no mics.
I read that the difference between 48 &96 hz is minimal irl
also it seems weird that the Monitor Level knob is the biggest thing on there. Is that really the most important thing?
Engaging this switch allows you to add some extra analogue 'magic' to your input when you need it. It injects a combination of
high-frequency EQ-boost, together with some finely tuned harmonic distortion to help enhance sounds. We have found it to be
particularly pleasant on sources such as vocals and acoustic guitar. This enhancement effect is created completely in the analogue
domain and is inspired by the kind of extra character the legendary SSL 4000-series console (often referred to as '4K') could add
to a recording. The 4K was renowned for many things, including a distinctive 'forward', yet musical-sounding EQ, as well as its
ability to impart a certain analogue 'mojo'. You will find that most sources become more exciting when the 4K switch is engaged!
If you're talking evening out or fattening vocals, drums, bass or the whole mix, then I'd say record as clean as possible and use plugins in your DAW. There's tons of excellent free VSTs. Two of my favorites that I use frequently are DigitalFishPhones Blockfish [plugins4free.com] for compression on bass and drums, and Denis Tihanov's OrilRiver Reverb [plugins4free.com]. Blockfish is super simple and effective, and easy to tweak, but if you're not sure how to use compression, there's presets included which are very good. OrilRiver is a bit daunting in the number of controls provided, but the presets are so impressive, you may not need to do much tweaking beyond mixing the wet/dry signal. EQ is another area where plugins excel, with many including a spectrum analyzer to help you visualize what you are doing to the sound as you make changes. But where the source is a microphone, always start with mic choice and placement. EQ should be a last resort if you're not getting the sound you want to start with (and you can't add something with EQ that wasn't there in the first place; It's much easier to subtract with eq).
You mention having to "go through and do it all manually afterwards", so I sense you're looking for the easy button, no? If you're finding applying effects chains tedious, perhaps look into saving track templates with them already applied and set to your liking, or using saved FX chains depending on the software you are using. I use Reaper and once you have FX applied to a track, it's a super simple matter to save that FX chain (there's even an option to save that FX chain as the default for new tracks). It'll make your workflow much easier and help you avoid spending hours tweaking instead of recording
Definitely go with an audio interface with good Mic preamps and do the other stuff with plugins. This posting is a great product. Generally, I would avoid mixers if you are doing recording and production. Most mixers also only allow you to do one effect at a time per channel.
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also it seems weird that the Monitor Level knob is the biggest thing on there. Is that really the most important thing?
It's the volume knob so yeah I would say it's the most important most used knob on there.
It seems they occasionally offer additional plug-ins through a promotional window as seen here: https://www.solidstatel
I use that and a MOTU MK3 and get excellent results.
Quote from tommykavounidis :
no need, use plugins... be happy to teach you via zoom! ---- billed at $39.99 per 10 minutes