Instances of Waves SSL 4000 in Logic Pro

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Instances of Waves SSL 4000 in Logic Pro

Anybody out there willing to share how they configure their Waves SSL 4000 channel with Logic tracks? How many instances? Where? Master out in addition to individual tracks? What seems to work for big loud full final mixes?

MacBookPro, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Jun 23, 2007 10:19 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 23, 2007 10:30 AM in response to dr wu

I've had the Waves SSL package for about 4 months now.

I tend to use the channel strips (EQ/compressor/gate) on drum tracks, mainly kick, snare (top and bottom), overhead and room mics.

I also tend to use the EQ plug-in a lot on acoustic and electric gtrs, as well as acoustic pianos (sampled or real).

I suppose they really could work on just about anything, but these are the tracks I gravitate towards them on.

I also LOVE the buss compressor on the main output. In fact, I won't mix without it there now.

As to how many instances... I've never really counted. I have a mix in progress right now that is using 8 of the channel strips, 3 of the EQ's, and the buss compressor on the output. No problems whatsoever, and this is a pretty typical scenario for me. I may still reach for another channel strip or two before I'm done.

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Answer 2

dr wu Author

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Jun 23, 2007 12:37 PM in response to Jim Frazier

Great, thanks. So you prefer the channel strip on individual tracks and the bus comp on the stereo output. How loud do you crank up the bus comp in the out mix? How loud/quiet are your mixes coming of the Logic bounce, before you start mastering or dithering? Is there a setting on the SSL bus comp you think is good on the master out?

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Answer 3

Jun 23, 2007 2:02 PM in response to dr wu

I really only use the buss compressor as "glue", not as a volume booster.

I have a preset I made myself, but tend to tweak it based on the content of the mix. Basically, it's the threshold around 9:00 (adjusted so that the needle is never hitting 4db or above on the meter), attack .10, fastest release, and a 4:1 ratio.

A smidge of make-up gain, but that's it. Like I said, I'm using it for the color it imparts, as well as the "punch" factor. I participate in the loudness wars later, after the mix is printed...

Oh, and I try to keep my master fader at around -6 to -4db.

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Answer 4

dr wu Author

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Jun 23, 2007 3:59 PM in response to Jim Frazier

Cool, thank you. May I ask how exactly it is that you deal with the loudness war? Do you send your printed mixes out to a pro house, or do you do yr own mastering? If the latter, how do you go about it?

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Answer 5

Jun 23, 2007 5:16 PM in response to dr wu

If it's a record project, I send it off to be mastered by someone who knows what they're doing.

If it's a really low budget thing, or something that just needs a quick "goose", I usually use a combination of the UAD Multiband compressor and Precision Limiter, or just the Limiter.

It's still not on "Stun", but it gets the mixes considerably louder.

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