ProAudio Review - August 2008 - (Page 35)

apparent. The Nuendo mixer instantly took on the appearance and – as subsequent knob twiddling revealed – much of the sonic signature of a 9000. The latter, as it turned out, is not surprising given that the Mini's processing engine and analog modeling is derived from the C200 digital consoles, which, in turn, emulate the EQ and dynamics sections of SSL's classic "SuperAnalogue" XL 9000 J and K consoles. The Channel Strip plug-in is comprised of sweepable high- and low- pass filters, a four-band EQ section (two parametric midbands, two bell/shelf switchable semiparametric outer bands and E/G curves), and dynamics section that includes the classic SSL channel compressor/limiter and gate/expander. Input and output meters and level knobs are provided, as are gain-reduction meters for both dynamic processors, and a phase-invert button. The Channel Strip sections are nearly identical* to those found on the SSL Duality console/controller I reviewed in April 2007, and in the SSL X-Rack modular system reviewed this past December and January; both reviews are available online at www.proaudioreview.com and on my website. Each control and unique feature – including the dual E-/G-series filter response curves, EQ-to-Dynamics side chaining, the compressor's hard-knee peak sensing mode, auto-makeup gain and more – is covered in detail and in-use, so please take a look. *The only actual feature differences I found were that the plug-in EQ is G-Series mode by default (swichable to E), the sweepable high-pass maxes out at 500 Hz instead of 600 Hz, and the plug-in benefits from the ability to display EQ/Dynamics signal flow and side chain mode graphically. All in all, the emulations of the XL9000 K (via the C200) in the Channel Strip are a joy to behold outside their original environments and, more to the point, in my DAW. And I definitely get the "virtual console through channel strips" concept. What I don't get is why the individual processing sections of the Channel Strip – EQ, Dynamics and Filters – couldn't be provided as discrete plug-ins as is done in most other systems. This, of course, would allow more economical use of available processing (and encourage interesting combos with other plug-in makes), and reduce the temptation to use the whole channel strip when only the EQ was needed – you know, the “because it was there” and “couldn't let them go to waste” rationalizations that lead to overuse. SUMMARY After many weeks of using the Solid State Logic Duende Mini and Channel Strip plugin in a number of ways and in varying amounts and on a variety of project types, I came to two overall conclusions: 1. The SSL Duende Mini running the EQ and Dynamics Channel Strip plug-in does a super-impressive job of capturing the sound of its SuperAnalogue XL9000 K counterpart and, 2. All things in moderation. Having the mixer in Nuendo look, behave and sound like an SSL C200 has been a joy – a real blast, to own the truth – but I found that it's also easy to get carried away with such a fun and singular processing tool that an overly aggressive buildup can occur. Mixing up the SSLs with my old friends from the UAD and PowerCore platforms not only broadened the overall sonic scene but also served to spotlight in the mix the tracks that benefited most from the familiar SSL soundslike-a-record signature sound. Having the Duende Mini in my system and the many Channel Strips a mouse-click away feels like owning a piece of rock – highly recommended. PRODUCTPOINTS + Spot-on analog emulations + Minuscule (6.5" x 6.5"), light (3 lbs) and bus-powered + 2 pre-installed DSPs can be softwareactivated for 32 channels of processing - Only includes one plug-in - Individual Channel Strip sections not broken into discrete plug-ins for DSPeconomical use SCORE It’s no substitute for the real SuperAnalogue stuff, but it’s super-close! PAR Studio Editor Stephen Murphy was engineered and produced by his parents a little over 41 years ago. Despite the visible scuffing, he should be able to bring in a fair price. www.smurphco.com www.proaudioreview.com August 2008 | ProAudio Review | 35 http://www.smurphco.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.thatcorp.com http://www.thatcorp.com http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - August 2008

ProAudio Review - August 2008 Contents Publisher's Page Broadcast News and New Products Yamaha Pocketrak 2G Olympus LS-10 Linear PCM Recorder Bench Test Marantz PMD620 Flash Recorder TASCAM DR-1 Portable Digital Recorder Tips From The Pros: Location/Production Audio Prosumer Portables in a Pro World Studio News and New Products Apogee Ensemble Solid State Logic Duende Mini FireWire DSP Live News and New Products Avril Lavigne's The Best Damn Thing World Tour Behringer Eurolive B412DSP and B415DSP Active Loudspeakers Gear for FOH Engineers — A PAR Contributors’ Wish List Contracting News and New Products Buyer's Guide Single Slice

ProAudio Review - August 2008

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