Another excellent feature incorporated into the UAD version is the option to use the filters in dynamic sidechain mode. For the audio comparison we used black knob as this is the only option in the Waves version. This is a feature you will find on the X rack version of the SSL hardware and ensures an accurate emulation between the two. Additional features the UAD version supports that the Waves version does not are the option to switch from black to brown knob for the low end. As a plugin it makes the Waves version look and feel like a kids toy. The UAD version captures everything the hardware has. Making this an accurate comparison between the 3 units.
In this comparison the original E series emulation was used which doesn't include the unison pres. Not only do you get the standard E Series emulation but you also get the updated version which includes unison pre amps emulating the SSL pre amps. The UAD emulation is something quite spectacular. When you consider for around the same price you can buy the UAD version which we will talk about next. At a price of $249 RRP it's quite frankly a rip off. It just doesn't compare in any way shape or form to what it is trying to emulate. The highs are harsh when compared to the same settings on the hardware. The compressor sucks and dips in ways only a cheap compressor would.
The black knob which is beautifully warm and full on the hardware is thin and flappy. There is little to no likeness between the Waves version and the hardware. It's a standard channel strip you would receive stock with any DAW with an SSL skin. This is not a SSL E-Series compressor and EQ. Let's just put this out there straight away. When it's looked at in that sense it falls short massively. The fact that it is branded as an SSL 4000 E-Series channel strip it is meant to emulate as close as possible the analogue hardware. As a compressor and EQ channel strip without the name SSL on it, it would be an OK channel strip. If we were to be doing a star rating system this would get 2 stars out of 5 and that's really being generous. The first emulation in the audio demo is the Waves Audio emulation. The best leaks.From listening to all 3 versions we have come to the following conclusion. Ok friends, chime in with your evidence to the contrary, your rumors, your leaks. There's opportunity here for Waves to make a mark, and I believe they will capitalize on that opportunity. They clearly still care deeply about being among the best, and if they want to continue to hold a presence in the DSP market-and not just in VIs-they'll have to continue to push the envelope. Although their recent focus has been on instruments, even in their most recent releases (a lot of VIs, but also the expanding Abby Road Series, the new Brauer Motion, etc.) one can appreciate the strong sense of pride the company takes in the pedigree of their models and the depth to which they develop plugins for the ultimate user experience in both sound and usability. This isn't to start a pissing contest about which one sounds better, and I and many would still agree that workflow/GUI-wise Waves is still right up there with the best (if not THE best), but the simple truth is that the 4000 collection is old, and it sounds old.ģ. The likes of UAD, OvertoneDSP, Slate, and now Brainworx have released competitive products that, in terms of sound, are superior. In the recent couple of years the hardware modeling market has made massive leaps in sound and tech, and also become flooded with competition. Furthermore, a cash grab on the E-Channel might suggest a forthcoming product with a pricing structure that will encourage current owners to upgrade/crossgrade.Ģ. To me this reeks of an end to whatever agreement Waves had with SSL which barred the company from offering it at discount. The Waves SSL 4000 Collection has in the recent couple of years finally begun to drop in price, be included in Waves' sales, and most recently the E-Channel was offered at a staggeringly low $29. This might be the Waves SSL 9000 Collection. a mk II type of product) or, alternatively, it would be perhaps more like Waves to release an entirely new product altogether.
It's been 'about time' for Waves to update some of their plugins developed a decade (or more) ago, but I feel this particular product is ripe for either an upgrade (i.e. I reckon there are a few factors pointing to an (imminent) upgrade to the Waves SSL 4000 Collection that so many love and use every day, myself included.