WAVES SSL 4000 Collection SSL G-Equalizer User Manual

WAVES SSL 4000 Collection SSL G-Equalizer

Waves SSL 4000 Collection SSL G-Equalizer

The Waves SSL 4000 Collection is a set of processors developed in partnership between Waves Audio and Solid State Logic, which accurately recreate the EQ and dynamics characteristics of the legendary SL4000 consoles. The SSL G-Equalizer is one of the processors included in this collection, modeled after the rack-mounted version of SSL’s G 292 EQ.

Product Description

The SSL G-Equalizer is a four-band equalizer that offers marginally greater gain change than the E-Series EQ included in Waves’ SSL E-Channel. Each EQ offers a slightly different equalization curve, so it is recommended to experiment with each equalizer to discover which best suits your specific needs.

Product Features

• Accurately recreates the EQ and dynamics characteristics of the legendary SL4000 consoles
• Offers marginally greater gain change than the E-Series EQ included in Waves’ SSL E-Channel
• Each EQ offers a slightly different equalization curve

Product Usage Instructions

When using the SSL G-Equalizer, veteran SSL users will already have their own ideas as to how to best pair the 242 EQ in the SSL E-Channel Strip with the SSL G 292-Equalizer. With a bit of experimentation you will discover how to best use each EQ, but we can offer a few generalizations with which to start:

Many engineers choose to use the E-Channel’s EQ for detail work and mixing, employing the SSL G-Equalizer as a downstream device to shape and give character to the sound. How you choose to use each of these EQs will depend on your program material as well as your own taste and style.

Controls and Indicators

The SSL G-Equalizer features the following controls and indicators:

• EQ IN (far right) – Bypasses the EQ section but leaves the filter in (if engaged)
• Analogue on/off – Disables analogue emulation to reduce noise and harmonic distortions
• Meter section – Indicates mono/stereo output level, displayed
  in dBFS

Wave System Toolbar

Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare settings, undo and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the icon at the upper-right corner of the window and open the Wave System Guide.

Introduction

The unique sound of Solid State Logic’s 4000 Series analogue mixing consoles is sought after worldwide. Engineers of pop and rock music, broadcast transmissions and television post-production value the SSL 4000’s flexible dynamics chain as much as the trademark SSL “punchy” sound. Waves and SSL engineers have worked together for over a year to recreate the sound characteristics of the classic SSL 4000 Series E and G Series consoles. Now, those who “mix in the box” can achieve the sound they thought they’d lost when they moved to the digital world.
The SL4000 console was the first mixing desk to incorporate dynamics processing into every channel, as well as a master bus compressor in the console’s center section. The ability to ‘patch’ into the SL4000’s master bus compressor and to control its sidechain from an internal sub-mix allowed sound engineers to discover unique, history-making applications of this console technology. Whether used to record instruments such as piano and drums or for final mixing, these innovative console sections

• master bus compressor, EQ and dynamics
• opened up a new world of opportunities. For years, workstation users have sought this unusual flexibility and signature sound.

But conventional dynamics and EQ plug-ins couldn’t produce the unique SSL color. The Waves SSL 4000 Collection is the result of a partnership between Waves Audio and Solid State Logic. These processors faithfully recreate the same EQ and dynamics characteristics which made legendary the SL4000 consoles. Plus, the interface accurately reflects the classic SSL console. Couple all of this with state-of-the art Waves software and you suddenly find yourself working with the same tools that have provided countless hit mixes for the world’s best audio engineers

The Waves SSL 4000 Collection consists of three separate sections:

• The SSL E-Channel
• The SSL 4000 G-Master Bus Compressor
• The SSL G-Equalizer

Description of the SSL G-Equalizer

The SSL G-Equalizer is modeled after the rack-mounted version of SSL’s G 292 EQ. The SSL G-Equalizer functions much like the E-Series EQ in Waves’ SSL E-Channel, so it is very easy to move back and forth between these two equalizers. This four-band equalizer offers marginally greater gain change than the E-Series EQ, and each EQ offers a slightly different equalization curve, so you will need to experiment with each equalizer to discover which best suits your specific needs. Veteran SSL users will already have their own ideas as to how to best pair the 242 EQ in the SSL E-Channel Strip with the SSL G 292-Equalizer. With a bit of experimentation you will discover how to best use each EQ, but we can offer a few generalizations with which to start:

• In general, the SSL G-Equalizer allows you to create a more extreme EQ than with the E-Channel Strip.
• The E-Channel EQ typically allows for a narrower Q than the SSL G-Equalizer.
• The SSL G-Equalizer affords a bit more gain change than the E-Channel Strip.

Many engineers choose to use the E-Channel’s EQ for detail work and mixing, employing the SSL G-Equalizer as a downstream device to shape and give character to the sound. How you choose to use each of these EQs will depend on your program material as well as your own taste and style.

SSL G-Equalizer Controls and Indicators

1. High pass filter (white knobs on the left) 18 dB/octave, 16 Hz – 350 Hz. Filter in/out switch, with indicator.
2.  Low frequency EQ section (black knobs) Shelving. Range 30 Hz – 450 Hz. Gain range ±17 dB.
3. Low medium frequency EQ section (blue knobs) Range 200 Hz – 2.5 kHz. Q is continuously adjustable from 0.1 to 3.5. Gain varies from ±20 dB when Q is set at 3.5, to ±15 dB when Q is set at 0.1. The ÷3 button divides the selected frequency by three (e.g., if you have selected a center frequency of 300 Hz, pressing the ÷3 button will result in a frequency of 100 Hz.)
4. High medium frequency EQ section (green knobs) Range 600 Hz – 7 kHz. As in the LMF EQ section, Q is continuously adjustable from 0.1 to
   • Gain varies from ±20 dB when Q is set at 3.5, to ±15 dB when Q is set at 0.1. The x3 button allows you to multiply the selected frequency by three.
5. High frequency EQ section (purple knobs) Range 1.5 kHz – 16 kHz. Gain range±17 dB, shelving.
6.  EQ IN (far right) The EQ IN button bypasses the EQ section but leaves the filter in (if engaged.)
7.  Phase reverse (ø) This button reverses the phase of the input signal.
8. Master Output (far right) Master Output fader controls overall output of the processor.
9.  Analogue on/off. Classic analogue processors necessarily create more noise and harmonic distortions than modern digital devices. This is, in part, what gives analogue processors their desired sound. By default, all components of the SSL 4000 Collection operate in a mode which enables emulation of the SSL console. However, there may be times when you prefer to use this plug-in without these special attributes. Switching off Analogue disables analogue emulation.

SSL G-Equalizer Indicators
Meter section The output meter indicates mono/stereo output level, displayed in dBs. Note that all parameters for the SSL 4000 Collection processors are expressed in dB, in keeping with the original analogue SSL 4000 console. Output levels, however, must be expressed in dBs, since the processor operates in a digital environment.

Wave System Toolbar

Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare settings, undo and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the icon at the upper-right corner of the window and open the Wave System Guide.

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