Neve & SSL Plugins - My Recommendations

Voosteq N-Channel

Neve for vocals. API for rock rhythm section. SSL for corporate pop and hip hop. It is the very fact that the API vibe is the lesser-used is why I want to use it. Everyone sounds like SSL today. Neve is more towards the EMI sound. For me, the dirtier, the better. It's not brain surgery.

I'm late to the party here, but I want admit that the amazing Acustica Gold contains a whole channel strip plugin with a comp as well. My new hot Neve tip is Voosteq Console N - fantastic!

I just started using the SSL E after trying the demo. Got it on sale for $99. I have used every plugin mentioned in this video except acustic audio's. I agree their all fantastic. But after slapping the SSL E on every track in my mixes, I hear a depth and spaciousness unlike with any other plugin I have tried before. It's now the only SSL I use. But all these mentioned here are great too!

Great video! I’ve also been enjoying the Sonimus N Console lately. It’s really fun to use

Fabfilter Saturn 2 can work as surprisingly capable, versatile channel strip plugin,
speaking of utility plugins, new released Fabfilter Pro-R 2 reverb being able to load Impulse responses as parametric presets to tweak is a game-changer utility reverb :)

Analog Obsession has some great neve and ssl plugins

Ive used the waves SSL 4000E channel for more than a decade, but since I've tried the SSL version a few years ago, it became my favourite plugin ever. Sounds fantastic, and gets better after every update. Also, the integration with the 360 software is phenomenal!!

Another plus to SSL's own plugin is integration with SSL360 to make the work easier.

The PA Lindell 80 emulation does a great job. Emulates the 1073. It sounds more open than the N version, which I like as well.

Great, thanks so much Barry! 👍 I use my brainworx SSL 4000 E channel strip for some time now and I love it like crazy.

That slate pass is real garbage. Don’t make the same mistake as me, I regret it everyday.

The slate/ SSL deal is mega. Not often I told feel ripped of in 2023.

Great video.. I am loving the Amek 9099 , neve emu.. that channel strip is powerful.. the ssl 4000k on her console 1 is nice.. hey do you have any tips on how to really get that ssl sound out of a real board so we can try to emulate thru the strips? Thanks

No slate? Seriously? Their VMR has so many advantages over all of these inasmuch as its modularity. You can chain a few together in one plugin instance.

I trust Barry with my studio life!! He helped me so much with my Carbon.

I don't understand how you missed the Lindell 80 series from Plugin Alliance a true Neve 80 series console with the feel and the LOOK. It's in my template on everything

Do you still do sessions? How do you find the time between work and videos?

After using UA's Neve for a long time, I now use Blackbird BB N105

Another fine video Barry, I’ve got all but two of the ones you displayed. BTW UA has some great prices on their bundle plugs until 10/31.

I agree 100%. I use my NEVE on curtain Tracks as well as SSL. Another Great Video Barry.

I always love your advice and make a lot of my decisions based off of them. Thanks for sharing another great vid!! Much ❤️ BJ!!

For anyone who may not have heard yet, starting November 8, the entire SSL subscription collection, will be included in the slate, all access pass, for the same $14.99 price.

Selecting the plugins has become a major challenge in a DAW with so many options

…I always appreciate your views and/or recommendations. Thank you for what you do. 👍🏽

@barryjohnsstudiotalk I'm sure I've missed a previous video addressing this although I saw the video where you said you were moving back from Cubase to Pro Tools. But... now you're on Studio One? haha I'm so confused.

Hmm, I'll have to try these out. I've heard Accoustica makes great plugs, but I live in the UA world, and to date haven't heard a Neve emu better than theirs.

Acustica Audio makes the best plugins in terms of emulating hardware in my opinion. Their Gold 5 plugin is extremely musical for a plugin. I have the Golden Age Project 73 MK3, with the matching EQ and comp 54 compressor and they’re musical too but I use those to track guitar

I subscribed to UA and got the Spark offering. I am very happy with it and have parked my Waves version of those included in Spark. Love the Neve EQ,, and the multiple versions of the LA2A, and 1176. Too many to mention after that. Thanks for your video and suggestions. I always learn a bunch. I will consider an SSL replacement for my Waves channel strip and mix buss compressor.

I mix with console 1 , because to my workflow having the transient section and the drive section always at my hands is an absoluut win over the others. For compression I stick in 90% with hardware.

The Lindell 80 series is also up there IMO

Great timing Barry. I have the UA Neve plugin but I was just looking at SSL options yesterday as I have yet to purchase one. I’m leaning towards SSL version or possibly Plug-in Alliance! Great video

KIT plugins BB N73 is my go to neve right now. Still really like the Waves SSL EV2 as well

After understanding the value of Inverse Gate Compression of bx Console N all the rest strips stay somewhere below.

Very sound advice Barry! I figured that a little while ago once I purchased the SSL Native Channel strip. I had the Brainworks version, but liked the sound of the SSL more so I uninstalled it. I got the API Vision and Master Bus from UAD and uninstalled the Brainworks version for the same reason. Too many options leads to unproductive behaviors. I have decided to go into the SSL ecosystem with their surface controllers so I am waiting for my UC1 to arrive and will be investing in two UF8s so I intend to master one console. It's funny once you obtain your focus you seem to ignore all of the plugin advertising 😂

I use to spend over 1k a year on the PA stuff and got in at 149 for Mega. No brainer and I get a 249 dollar voucher every year. Which I forget to use.

I started audio production 1.5 yrs ago. Got an SSL subscription with Gobbler. Well, today SSL subscriptions are now being managed by SLATE Digital. And they gave us lifetime free access to the Slate Subscription at no extra cost! Love it!!! Except the hassle of having to move my subscription over obviously lol
$14.99 a month.

Another Grand Slam Barry! I love your videos!

Thanks again, Barry!

I aint used acoustica products since mixcraft lol. Didnt know they transitioned to plugins. Those stock ones in mixcraft were trash. Im a waves man for life though i might be brainwashed ill admit

Love your setup its beautiful

Thank you.

Can I ask why you prefer the UA Neve over the Acustica Audio? Cheers

Wait, when did you join the Console 1 Family?  
Welcome!

do you think the console 1 mk2 is still worth a buy? they are on sale for 399

I’m a console1 guy, so I mainly just stick with that stuff and I really want the Mark three, but that price tag kind of hurts so it’s definitely gonna be a long while before I pull the trigger on that.

Hi Barry great video
I have a console 1 and fader I love using them 👍👍