SSlmixed.com Forum
Tech discussion => 4K,6K,8K Series => Topic started by: neumann25 on April 17, 2014, 03:54:11 AM
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Hello folks
As I am writing this I am jumping for joy. I have owned my SSL console for 25 years and always felt for the most part the inboard compressors did not EVER sound as good outboard compressors.. There was always something I DID like about the SSL dynamics, but i always felt they fell a bit short.. Recently I found documentation that explains how to calibrate the compressor... After I calibrated the cards using the method written in the alignment procedure, I found it to not give the best SSL compressor sound..
So I decided to listen very carefully on my mastering system, and tune the gain trim on the compressor card called (0dbm)
I found a really sweet spot just a little off from were the factory says it should be.. Not only does the compressor sound so much more natural, but I can use it on any instrument with amazing results.. The fog went completely away, and now the compressor sound much more neutreal and in phase.. The depth of field is amazing, especially on room mics.. cymbals never sounded so clear.. Tom toms are to die for I also notice when I calibrate it my way, there is not very much level reduction when using 3-4 db of compression..
Anyone here can provice more info on the internal SSL 4000E compressor calibration which is located on the circuit board?
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Sounds great - would love to know more details. Another thing I'm interested in are the results of swapping out the VCA-chip of the Compressor against a THATS 2180/81.
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Recently I found the SSL documentation that explains how to calibrate the compressor... After I calibrated the 82E10 cards using the method written in the alignment procedure, I found it to not give the best SSL compressor sound..and when compressing signals 3-4 db there would that noticable gain difference between compressor channel in and out.. ( this always bothered me cause after compressing 3-4 db I would loose a little signal strenght)
So I decided to listen very carefully on my mastering system, and tune the gain trim marked (0dbm) on the 82E10 circuit board.
I found a really sweet spot just a little off from were the factory calibration ends up being.... Not only does the compressor sound so much more natural, but I can use it on any instrument with much better results.... The fog went completely away, and now the compressor sounds like it has more headroom, and much more neutreal and in phase.. The depth of field is amazing, especially on room mics.. cymbals never sounded so clear.. Tom- toms are to die for.. I also notice when I calibrate it my way, there is not very much audible level reduction when using 3-4 db of compression..maybe 1 db !!
I do noticce after calibrating the 82E10 card to my ears, I do loose some compressor gain reduction , and I need to increase the threshold say from 2 oclock to 3 oclock to get the same amount compression.. But the compressor sounds so much better this way..
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Where can I found this ssl documentation that explain how to calibrate the compressor ?
Thanks.
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Attached.
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Thanks a lot :)