lunchbox style: API vs. SSL

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:03 pm

i'm researching lunchbox style racks of mic pre's and eq's.

i've been looking at the API 512c mic pre and the 550b eq combo. then my studio partner pointed out that SSL now makes their X-Logic modules in a lunchbox style rack format.

i've never worked with either professionally so i'm looking for some feedback. my primary use would be for drums. secoondary use would be for general instrumental use like accoustic guitars, strings, horns, percussion, etc. i have an amek 9098 that i've been using for just about everything but drums.

- chris walcott

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:26 pm

SSL anything is WAY, WAY over hyped and over priced. Sure, the compressor is good even though it doesn't have the exact same tone as comp the console, and the mic pre and eq are not that good that they are worth the asking price.

I say, API all the way. On top of that, once you get the API style lunch box, you have a lot of options now days for tone flavors that fit into the API style lunchbox. It is even hard to even mention drums without saying API.

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:36 pm

thanks for the feedback. i had a feeling that was the case. i've heard so much raves for api's on drums and the ssl stuff is incredibly expensive.

i guess the total recall thing is cool but i rarely work that way when tracking. mixing is another story of course.

- chris

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:51 am

deleted

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:51 am

Personally, I never cared that much for the front end of SSL desks. And they are probably one of the main reasons people went out and hunted down Neve and API pre's, not to mention responsible for the cottage industry of boutique preamp manufacturers. SSL has usually been known for their recallable automation and mixing capabilities. API rules for drums. You guys might also check out gear like OSA from Atlas. API clones can get your lunchbox up and running for less dough.

Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:52 am

Personally, I never cared that much for the front end of SSL desks. And they are probably one of the main reasons people went out and hunted down Neve and API pre's, not to mention responsible for the cottage industry of boutique preamp manufacturers. SSL has usually been known for their recallable automation and mixing capabilities. API rules for drums. You guys might also check out gear like OSA from Atlas. API clones can get your lunchbox up and running for less dough.

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:30 am

I dont think that you need it, but chalk another one up for the API. For me the appeal of an SSL console is not necessarily its sound quality, but rather its flexibility/versatility/ease of use. Much of which would not translate with the lunchbox version. I worked at a studio which had an API rack, and that thing was almost constantly in use. If we had enough pre's every mic on the session would have been sent through the API. You will not be disappointed with the API for sure. Actually I am kind of jealous lol.

Happy tracking,

EZ

This topic sponsored by: