Hey folks,

Well, just downloaded and installed Softube American Class A and, wow, this thing is good.

I confess, I'm a sucker for console emulations and channel strips, and this one is the real deal.

The shape and drive sections alone can make stuff fit in a mix without even touching the EQ and/or compressor.

The EQ is simply sweet for boosting, and the compressor is insanely good.

Sure, it's a bit demanding on the CPU side, but well, it can replace three or for plugins alone, so it's worth it.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

This, Neural DSP and Chandler Limited Germanium Compressor are the best of this new year's wave, in my very humble opinion.

Cheers,

M.

 

Last edited: Jan 8, 2021

I will take a look.

Thanks M.

Regards,

Q.

 

Last edited: Jan 8, 2021

It's making a great entrance for me too, it sounds so good, cant wait to be able to try it on more and familiarise with it's sound.

 

this is better than the native ssl plugins?

 

Before including a plugin into my workflow i usually go through the time of testing it on many sources, or/then tries it in a full mix situation, and see if it adds something or not, this process has been very successful for me into picking the right plugins.

But for now recommendation is taken, as soon as my studio is up and running i'll try them.

ps. a true pain is when all these plugins get's released by our mighty R²R, and you can not try them...

 

Well, I didn't try the SSL strips because I couldn't find a way to load them in that Console 1 on-screen display thingy...It looks like that hardware is needed to select different channel strips.

This one is API, which is a different beast altogether, but if the SSL ones are on the same level, so yes, they probably sound better than the SSL Native channel strip.

 

American Class, AMAZING AMAZING, that must be good!

 

Last edited: Jan 8, 2021

of course

 

I posted about American Class A time ago here and a lot of people told me that it was shit , and i wanted the plugin only for the GUI.... I always say that American class 1 is on my top 10

 

waves sound better? (excuse me, i suck for comparing plugins)

 

Ah. If this is because you can only access channel 1, then I did read somewhere on AS in the last few days that you just have to click...on something! And then you're okay with just the plugin.
Not a huge help, I know. But it's something!

edit: Oh. Or not. If it was this that I read, but I don't think it was.
https://audiosex.pro/threads/softube-summit-audio-grand-channel-console-1.57135/

 

Last edited: Jan 11, 2021

the American Class A does sound nice but i am drawn to the SSL XL9000K and the Weiss Gambit strips.. All the strips are top notch imo.. just depends on what you're trying to accomplish.. either way softube has me covered (s0 far)..

 

its really good - applied it on a bass track in the mix dailing in punch mid-boost and small compression it really is something else - wish I could test the others and compare - couldn't get them to work on Cubase - will definitely use that

 

He was talking about the (ex duende) plug-ins by SSL (nothing to do with softube/console 1). I can answer his question. The Native SSL Plugs (once called Duende which I legit owned for a good while) are very good tools, but they are ancient (first came out in 2006 and the code hasn't changed) They had zero non linear or saturation coding, just straight up basic digital ported directly from their C200 console which itself mimicked a 9000 console. They did a great job of cloning a 9000 series eq/comp, in digital, in the C200 (then into the plug-ins) but vs modern peers they are hardly competing on ITB Tone and vibe.

I've not used the console one SSL (or any of them) cos I'm not gonna use those without the hardware (pointless and hacky) esp as I have a 24 fader AVID ICON D-Command sat here that works with dedicated compressor and eq controll sections for almost ANY AAX plug-in, inc softube's other normal plugs and stuff like PA's BX_Console N, SSL etc (which I use if I need SSL). But even comparing against the BX_Console the native SSL plugs aren't going to win... time moves on in plug-in world. Softube make great plug-ins, and PA make a lot of decent ones.. both will beat old SSL native and esp Waves crappy, smeary, harsh plug-ins. This said, I'd rather use bespoke per channel plug ins anyway than just one size fits all console emulations that (regardless of PR hype about 'cohesive sound per channel') often build up too much ITB with the same harmonics and artifacts. We now have the luxury of a full rack of discrete gear, per channel, in the box if we choose.. by using the exact right/best plug-in chain for the channel... while workflow "may" improve for some (esp mouse users) by sticking to one channel strip for everything, for most I believe better sonic results are had by using a better eq/compressor/saturation on an as and when needed basis (even if you do end up using the same compressor on each channel at least you're not just using it cos it's handy and built into a c-strip when 10 other options might net you a better result).

A DCommand in protools gives you the feel of using a channel strip regardless of what comp/eq you choose cos the comp controls are laid out above the eq knobs on the hardware so in that respect it's like a physical strip but with discreet components.

I do use BX Console SSL and Neve as and where I think they are best fit for the job, but not just by default. I'll also use stuff like arouser, PSPE27 (my two go-tos), Tubetech II eqs, cl1b II, Germanium, zener, lots of PA stuff like acme opto, bxopto etc before I'll just resort to a console strip emu. Back in the day it was a matter of cost and practicality to HAVE to use a console's eqs/comps on everything (other than a few special tracks that went out to outboard/nicer/more expensive gear) but ITB where vibe, energy and even track separation counts more, there's no need to mimic that imo esp now we have the virtual dream of what the old school guys could only wish for. I mean, maybe an old neve console would be worth it, or even a modern high quality one like the RND 5088 if you want everything through one thing (and real analog obv factoring in here) but to mimic an SLL 4k which was never the 'best sounding' desk character/eq wise (more of a very useful tool for carving shit outta the mix and making it all sit - in a world of FAT JUICY ANALOG LOADED BASE TRACKS) is a bit pointless... I find , having use c-strips a lot, they make my life no easier and often abstract things and make A/Bing harder (having to open the plug to bypass the compressor and hoping it doesn't mess with the gain/routing etc?) vs just ctril click on an insert to bypass the discreet compressor in the chain (much better real workflow in a DAW!). This is also why I'm no fan of Slate's VMR cos you lose flexibility and clear mixing sight.

 

Last edited: Jan 11, 2021

it's normal when we speak UAD everyone say that it's bullshit because when the plugin wasn't cracked they are so jealous ... if they have had cracked everyone say it's magic etc... here people want and talk only cracked software....

 

I have to agree with Morgan. I tested american class a and it is good.
I ran it against Pink4 A and on some bands it was almost identical, i actually preferred the 3k boost on softube compared to acustica.
Pink has a bit more attitude from the get go but you can dial in the drive knob on the american, which is something that might be better sometimes.
The eq itself reminds me of some of the best acustica equalizers the way it boosts and cuts naturally.

The gate/punch options are spectacular so is the drive/character option. Filters sound great as well.

 

Completely different thing. API and SSL are like apples and oranges. I like the Softube Class A but I wish they had an option to disable the original's stepped gain knobs, which are just too limiting.

Anyway... my go to EQ and compressors for many years are the Waves SSL, I use them on every channel with very few other plugins, so out of curiosity I tested the SSL Native, and at least for now I'm not impressed - maybe it's just different from the Waves ones, but it just doesn't give me the same effortless results. I could probably get better results if I took the time to get used to the plugins and how they work, but I'm completely happy with the Waves SSL and see no reason to change.

However, the SSL Native FlexVerb is a really good character reverb, particularly for big lush sounds. It definitely stays.

 

I only tried the native ssl bus comp so far and i was not impressed.