SSL 2+

hwhalen · 12-28-2020, 11:54 PM

Anyone here have experience with this product.
I'm interested in their ASIO drivers in particular.

Delucci · 12-29-2020, 12:38 AM

I bought one a few days ago but hasn't arrived yet. I'm curious aswell, you can check up the user manual in their website.

Soon as I get my hands on it I'll tell how it goes

Stella645 · 12-29-2020, 07:05 AM

They are using Thesycon drivers so performance is average but stable.

hwhalen · 12-29-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delucci

I bought one a few days ago but hasn't arrived yet. I'm curious aswell, you can check up the user manual in their website.

Soon as I get my hands on it I'll tell how it goes

Looking forward to hear what you have to say...cheers

hwhalen · 12-29-2020, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella645

They are using Thesycon drivers so performance is average but stable.

Thank you...I had never heard of Thesycon before...looked em up

Quasar · 12-29-2020, 12:18 PM

No firsthand experience but Bandrew at Podcaststage (who I find credible) loves this interface, especially the pres:

https://youtu.be/ygeCS69MM7w

He's got timestamps so you can go straight to his Pro/Con summation if you want. I was considering it earlier this year, and if it had ADAT I/O I would have purchased it.

hwhalen · 12-29-2020, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasar

No firsthand experience but Bandrew at Podcaststage (who I find credible) loves this interface, especially the pres:

https://youtu.be/ygeCS69MM7w

He's got timestamps so you can go straight to his Pro/Con summation if you want. I was considering it earlier this year, and if it had ADAT I/O I would have purchased it.

Unfortunately his evaluation is on a Mac using core audio...i'm after the ASIO numbers.

It was interesting all the same so thanx.

Stella645 · 12-30-2020, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hwhalen

Unfortunately his evaluation is on a Mac using core audio...i'm after the ASIO numbers.

It was interesting all the same so thanx.

A gearslutz user posted these.

SonicAxiom · 12-30-2020, 10:55 AM

SSL 2+ sounds great with a decent mic.

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hwhalen · 12-30-2020, 12:13 PM

Thank you SonicAxiom and Stella645

Ordered...awaiting delivery.....

hwhalen · 12-31-2020, 11:55 PM

I received it today...a huge improvement over what I was using before.
The ASIO drivers work great, I can vary the buffer size as I need, recording vrs mixing etc...
Also I can play with the sample rate.
I have a couple of decent mics which sound quite good.
haven't tried the midi ports yet but I expect them to work fine.

Now on with it....:-)

SonicAxiom · 01-01-2021, 08:30 AM

Congrats! That's nice start for 2021

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panicaftermath · 01-13-2021, 04:35 PM

Any comments on the bundled software that comes with the SSL2+. In particular what's described as "SSL Native channel strips: Vocalstrip 2 and Drumstrip. With Vocalstrip’s four vocal-specific processors — De-esser, De-ploser, 3-Band EQ, and Compander — you can easily achieve an articulate and impactful vocal sound. And Drumstrip provides five carefully selected processing tools — including transient shaper, drum gate, high- and low-frequency enhancers, and the classic Listen Mic compressor — to add clarity, punch, and heft to any drum recording."

Are they just regular VSTs, without restrictions as to how many instances, etc? How's their sound and usefulness? Will they work when the SSL is not connected?

The SSL 2+ is now the USB interface I'm most likely to get once I stop procrastinating over modernizing my DAW situation. I'd been considering the Scarlett 2i2, but the SSL's monitor mix knob, and the rear access form factor lured me away, despite an attractive software bundle.

How are things in the consumer remorse department?

Thanks!

hwhalen · 01-13-2021, 08:01 PM

I can say that these VSTS are very good. If they work when the interface is not connected I'm not sure. The interface has been connected since I bought it. You seem to be able to use as many instances as you want. They sound quite natural and can provide good results. I'd like to say that the unit itself is worth the price without the plug-ins, but the plug-ins are a very nice addition. The preamps are very good and the ASIO drivers are flexable. I'd buy it again.

Delucci · 01-14-2021, 03:21 PM

Mine arrived few days ago, I'm digging it, didn't test the 4k mode with mic yet, but there a few things I think it could improve:
-Front phone input
-Visual feedback for "inst" buttons pressed as well the 48v
-Usb cable could be longer

And that's it, very solid interface

panicaftermath · 01-14-2021, 11:31 PM

Thank you for those helpful replies!

Delucci - is yours a 2 or 2+?

I am trying to decide between 2 and 2+. Not sure how useful the old school MIDI ports will be on the 2+. The additional headphone mix wouldn't get a lot of use either, at least not as intended. What else could that be used for?

If it is fed by 2 designated Reaper channels, could it be used to send out to a physical device and then return to an SSL input? Or would that just create a feedback loop?

SonicAxiom · 01-17-2021, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panicaftermath

...

If it is fed by 2 designated Reaper channels, could it be used to send out to a physical device and then return to an SSL input? Or would that just create a feedback loop?

you can technically do this but you loose your master output monitoring and you won't be able to listen to what you are doing regarding the outboard processing so all this is not very useful. If you are processing the master track's output signal and feed the processed signal back into a track, make sure that this track's input monitoring is disabled to prevent a feedback loop. Again, you wouldn't be able to listen to what you are doing unless you can somehow split the signal after going through the analog gear and before re-entering the SSL 2.

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panicaftermath · 01-18-2021, 03:35 PM

Thank you for that reply, Sonic Axiom. Was helpful and appreciated.

Does the SSL require an iLok account? For years I've avoided products that require an iLok dongle, due to reports of various problems and also just the intrusiveness of it.

The SSL or the software bundle now appears to only require only an iLok "account" and installing "iLok License Manager software."

Can anyone confirm how this works, and that having this installed will not create headaches?

SonicAxiom · 01-18-2021, 04:22 PM

you're welcome.
unfortunately, I can't comment on the licensing because I only know the unit from someone elses studio.
Regarding reservations against iLok, I entirely agree with you and keep avoiding it even though that means that I can't use some cool plugins.

.

hwhalen · 01-18-2021, 11:02 PM

The interface itself doesn't require an ilok account. The plug-ins that come with it do. I haven't been a big fan of the ilok myself, but I've installed the pace mgmt software and I've not had any problems with it so far. An actual ilok device would give you portability of your plug-ins which you don't get without it.

YMMV

Delucci · 01-19-2021, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panicaftermath

Thank you for those helpful replies!

Delucci - is yours a 2 or 2+?

I am trying to decide between 2 and 2+. Not sure how useful the old school MIDI ports will be on the 2+. The additional headphone mix wouldn't get a lot of use either, at least not as intended. What else could that be used for?

If it is fed by 2 designated Reaper channels, could it be used to send out to a physical device and then return to an SSL input? Or would that just create a feedback loop?

Sorry for the late reply. I got the 2+
I bought the 2+ because I use it's midi connections, and I plan to use 3/4 outputs for external routing, but haven't tested yet.. SonicAxiom said you can lose the master output by doing this but I can't figure out why, since you can route the audio to 3/4 and return into one channel.. gotta try this and see what I can do.

Btw, SSL hardware doesn't require iLok at all, just it's plugins, and I dont need to use them

RobertP · 01-19-2021, 02:45 AM

They look good for the price to my mind.
I wonder though, they are USB Bus-Powered.

I have always had mains powered interfaces so wonder if USB bus powered can falter in some circumstances - not sure what though.

Would a powered usb hub be best/needed?

RobertP · 01-20-2021, 02:50 AM

Found an answer...

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/newb...r-adapter.html

panicaftermath · 01-24-2021, 11:06 PM

So I've now joined the club. Very please so far. Glad I got the 2+ with the MIDI in (even the 5-pin din variety.) The second headphone line, feedable by different channels, and the channel switch, is super useful -- I've got it going to a second set of monitors. I love the large monitor level knob. And the rear access panel was definitely the right design for my setup.

I've hardly used the inputs. But I got it initially so I could have usable latency on my overburdened Windows 8.1 laptop, and for that it is working well, though the lappy still groans.

Plus it looks really good. The build is solid and sturdy and its weight is just right. Compact but not cramped. The input buttons on top could maybe feel or click more nicely when pressed, but they work. Also, the big Legacy 4k button feels a little over overblown, actually, in terms of its physical design, and seems more a branding move than functionally necessary to engage the circuit.

But it's a really nice device. So glad to no longer be working with the lappy's native DirectSound and Realtek driver at 200+ms latency!

I have not yet taken the plunge on installing the iLok License Manager software for the software bundle. But I will have to as I would like to use the SSL VSTs and the NI things.