First, thank you for demoing both the cross blend and the link functions on the 2500+. I've had this unit for a over a year and still didn't understand what the cross blend was doing. When I started this video I thought, oh 30 minutes, that a long time. But towards the end, 30 minutes felt too short! Subscribed!

I love this! Thank you so much for this🙌🙏✌️♥️ Edit: I've only used plugin versions of these. What this showed me is that I'm okay with the SSL style plugins I have, but I've never heard a plugin replicate what makes the API sound so badass.

Though !!!!! API on the drum bus, SSL on everything else 🤘🙂

I have the SSL G Bus Compressor in 500 series format (here the high pass filter is a great feature) and an API 527 Mono Compressor.I wish I would have a 2500+ aswell, both sound great. The API really gives the punch which I love. Great video and comparison, thanks a lot.

That’s good stuff Dom.

I have both API 2500+ and the SSL Bus+ and can say you can’t go wrong with either one on the drum bus or mix bus.

Stumbled upon this video. First let me say, great video and thank you for making it. I own a UA Apollo had the SSL plug-in. I'm not in a position to get the hardware version. I was trying to see if I should get the API plug-in and this video made up my mind for me - LOL. I can't wait to see what is produced, I'm hoping to get the classic UA quality from the plug-in. I hope it works well for me.

i think when you parallel compress the drums with the api ,Thrust on Loud it makes it so easy to blend in the parallel without the extra high frequencies added, so the ssl needs an eq behind it for parallel. i am going to buy the api as a first bus compressor mainly for the mixbus. you can even parallel the mixbus to add more mids and highs energy or jus the lowend, with that said ive been using the api 2500 uad plugin for years on almost everything and i love the dark tone it adds to the mixbus so im going for the api 2500+. thanks for this great video!!

This guy tests the gear as I would like to do and argues in a very relevant way, I am an absolute fan. Thanks+++

Loved it bro

thanks for the great videos!

I love them both for different reasons, when you crushed the drums with them, I got the best idea ever... what if you record drums and you have a specific mic for a drum crush channel Then I think that a combo of them both would be Superior. use the API to get those transients crazy punchy, and he SSL to get the tail of every hit to just fully blear out... cause the way you had it set up I could hear that The API made everything in between the transients more quiet and the SSL made the transient a bit softer but totally crushed everything between them... awesome video Dom keep it up

I ma fan of api. But the low and mid low saturation from ssl wow...period. thanks man for concluding the trio including the previous video with fusion and portico compression. Its like comparing. Stallone ..swarznegger and bruce willis..

Crazy to hear that intro difference. They both sound amazing. Just surprised at that difference between the two.

It is also important to note that the release times are different so it’s not a matched comparison. A shorter release time will lead to a more “open” sound that SSL has in this example.

Nice video. If you had all tha money in tha world, which compressor would you buy for drums on a bus only ? Thanks

awesome video. i‘m thinking about getting one piece of hardware for my master bus. i‘m doing a lot of orechestral mockups (williams, michael giacchino, alan silvestri style). but also doing all kind of music when needed. so mockups sound always a bit dead. thinking about buying the stam SA4000-5 MK2, sslg-bus 500, ssl bus+ or ssl fusion. do you think that make sense? what hardware what you recommend on the master bus? great channel, thank you, all the best

That API on the rock mix and the drums was slammmmmin! Very percussive! The SSL sounds more balanced to me. Thanks for the info!

Hello and respect ! First thank you for all the help in the videos it really helped me a lot!!. I have a problem with duplicate events ,when do copy or duplicate any audio (cubase 11pro), all the editing i do is done also in the original First event ??,..please please help 🙏 I tried anything forums and nothing .I'm cant work like this its impossible 😪

Thank you for this revealing test ! To my surprise ...mix bus processing only: The API sure offers more possibilities butin the end I feel you're strugglin against a much narrowier "sweet spot", for what I can hear the SSl has a bigger sound under heavy comp, is a better bouncer/mover and adds a modern glossy sound that is instantly recognisable.

Hey Dom. Whats the name of the synthwave song? It's so good!

If you add either one to the mix bus. Can you apply the same compressor to the track on the mastering stage?

Beautiful track 3:25 , beautiful mix!!!

Great video. What song is this ??

Hey Dom, please do a video on VST live pro ! Thanks in advance 🙏

Actually I vote for Alesis 3630 on master buss. Nothing can destroy the mix so efficiently, than the 3630 with its original power supply. 😅 Definitely adds color, distortion, rounds the edges, and glues the mix into one big fat sausage.

Because of budget. What you think or you have hear the api sr22 or a clone of the SSL FX G384 that’s Stam is manufacturing for early next year. Both are less that half the investment of those unit . Thnaks

When pushed hard, the API maintains that hard punch, and the SSL does the splatty sheen thing. Both are great....... Watching you tweak the SSL, it seems like you could get it to sound pretty close to the API, but the API just does it right out of the box with no fuss.

Dom. I’ve been singing this synthwave song for 2 years. Has it been released yet? 😅

I actually prefer the API here. Gives more punch. THe kick is enhanced more. The SSL sounds more like a plugin. But the SSL does glue everything else better. I think this is probably settings related... I used to have an SSL 4000E mixer and that bus comp was magic

What’s the title of the pop song I’d love to hear the full version

Thanks so much, this was very helpful! I got the exact same setup, actually the SSL right above the API in the rack. Bought with trading in quite a bit of gear! First off, the hardware is SO much better than any plug-in emulation. I use Aurora(n) converters now and it's just amazing how much bigger, wider and punchier the 2bus gets no matter how little actual compression is going on. I see that you mostly used the 'New' setting on the API, do you prefer it? So far I mostly used the 'Old' setting. Another thing I learned from another tutorial or article somewhere: The 'Loud' setting on the API's 'Tone' section has quite a dramatic effect on upper frequencies, it's a great way to control overheads when using heavy compression. As for preference, I love both! But I agree that the SSL would be a better choice as first bus compressor. I bought mine used just after a new and more elaborate version came out but I totally love the simplicity of the SSL here. Very easy to set up and it lets you go more with your first/gut reaction which is always a good thing!

Is it weird that the SSL just sounds more invisible to me? I feel like I can hear the compression curve of the API instantly and it reacts to the low end in a really noticeable way. But the SSL does make everything feel really consistent and glued, while also have a 3D sound. I guess it's partly personal taste, I just love the immediacy and closeness of that SSL Bus sound, the classic subtle mid-forward sound. Either this or SPL Iron. It also bears noticing, one will mix differently mixing into one of these, and an SSL clone with a decent low pass on the sidechain can also open up the bottom end punch a bit more. Very interesting.

Hi, do you run units in series in the test? Tranformers to trasformer?

I have an SSL big six and this makes me want an API lol. Might have to settle for two dbx 560s

Great video ! API for me

They both have their uses. The api I personally use on drum buss and anything that needs a bit more punch and snap. The ssl I think was designed more for a whole mix or 2buss compression. Of course can use on anything but that's just what I've found. Also the api works on bass for heavier music for me.

I have 2500 but never use it on feedforward setting as it's too grabby, the whole video is on FF and it's making 2500 a disservice, if you look for more transparent sound don't make any assumptions from this video, it can be as gentle and smooth as it gets

I think the real magic in this updated unit definitively lies in the mix pot!

The API is more natural sounding; adds a weight and dimension I don't hear with the SSL. The SSL has a hi fi sheen and 'radio glue' we've all become accustomed to. Both are great units. I use a 2500 daily on mix buss. It's a swiss army knife that takes a little getting used to, but once you learn what it can do, the applications are endless. Cheers.

Both compressors r useful bro

What’s the name of the synth wave song !!!!

well done

I have plugin versions of both. I prefer the 2500 for drums and the SSL for master bus.

I own both of these hardware units but I own the grey face ssl bus comp.... I find myself leaning towards the api tbh it’s such an amazing compressor for smoothing out harsh digital top end 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥

Wow the SSL made the low end more fater my first time actually hearing the difference from this two.

2 is better than 1 😁 In my opinion the API was well balanced, sounded really really good and covered all frequencies in the mix. A very universal compressor. The SSL sounded more for if your music will be played in clubs and on a big stage concert. Loud, pumpy and aggressive. I feel the SSL focused more on the kick, guitar and vocals which are really what are supposed to stand out in a good mix and song. Just my opinion. Great video 👍🏼

Really! No 33609? Bus Compressors come in threes! I think the Bus comp inside of 4Ks & 9Ks often got sent to the Drum Bus with the Neve 33609 strapped across the mix. The API 2500 is definitley a go-to for drums as well, so... SSL "Glue" API "Punch" NEVE "Smooth" or "Scheen" Mix & Match. And, run one into another for serial bus compression. We run 1176s into LA2As on vocals.

The 2500 is warmer and thicker but the SSL brings the mid ALIVE!(as in mid/side, not mid frequency)

had the api for a month or so it’s really nice and love the gain and punch on it but but to me it just cannot glue like the ssl type so o got rid of it for a dangerous compressor i’m also building my own ssl style compressor

API for Red Hot Chili Pepper, SSL for Coldplay.

I like the SSL if I had to choose one or the other. But answer C, choosing both, sounds even better.

Just get both. You’re welcome. 😊

Hello. I have a question about Remote MIDI Control. Is it normal that when I assign functions to certain faders, after closing Cubase and reopening, all parameters are deleted and I have to reassign or load a saved preset ..?

I just released a single on all platforms, and the API brought it to life🙌🏼💯. My SSL G-Comp wasn't punching hard enough

SSL sounds more narrow, more glue in the mids. API stereo image is wider, not as much glue in the center field.

The API sounds choked. SSL just works.

The API sounds like a smiley face

Need people to understand there is no particular right way to add hardware or plugins to buses, I use an SSL native comp along with a Fairchild 670 or a neve 33609 depending on the mix, it’s all about if it sounds good.

The API is very hear-able. I can hear what it’s doing, not usually desirable for me.

I'm a fan of both brands, but it's just something about that API that I just absolutely love. Maybe one day I will be able to add the 2500 into my life.

had the api but did not like it it struggle to glue if i want punch i can get that using other effects glue is better on the ssl

SSL has more control of transients, or t least the settings were punchier on the SSL

Neve 33609 for me

The API is definately more punchy and warmer than the SSL, but the SSL «glues» the mix in an way the API doesn’t.

The API sounds way better as any of its plugin clones - I never liked its plugins. The SSL is more transparant which is because the API pumps up anything and makes the sound more blurry,, very clear in the synth mix. The SSL grabs the mix more. Bass is tighter while the API tends to get whooly sometime IMHO. About the SSL: try the Tonefarm clone... better than the original LOL.

Use both

the new ssl bus plus :)

Both. 😅

If I had to choose just one, its the API. Fortunately the Plugin Alliance emulations are so darn good everyone can have both.

To me the API sounded better in every application. It just sounds more snappy punchy and has a musical color to it. The SSL to me sounded more clean and surgical yet more gluey if that makes sense. I prefer the API

NEVE.

Watching this on iPhone 6s, can’t appreciate the discussion between SSL and API. Hard to hear differences.

It must have a huge electric power bill for this studio every month😂

API . . . unless your deaf , of-cause

haha, SSL all the way, anytime. The title should be "home amateur compression" Vs. pro sounding compression. 😄😄 If you're going to listen the song only once, API is the winner, if you want your song to be on repeat SSL wins everytime.

@5:39 and before that @DomSigalas your body gestures, your miming of the music, your way of explaining that "complex relation" between the "kick" and the other elements of that song, reminiscing the explanations of the great mixing engineers who understand and feel subtle aspects of the music ... You might want to be considered a sound engineer, but you also need to know that the sound engineers really do hear and feel the things they talk about and they do not try to impersonate other people! It is embarasing to watch you "explaining" "the relation" between "the kick" and the other elements of the song when there is no kick in that song and thus no "relation" between "the kick" and the other elements! Watching you faking/miming the understanding of a process that does not exist in that song is the most evident and embarrassing example of a person performing a job he has no knowledge of. I feel uncomfortable being in the position to write such a negative comment, but we can only advance as a civilisation when each person understands its job and knows how to perform it. That's why we have different kind of jobs and we shall only perform what we know and understand, and not what it is considered as "trendy" or "cool"! It is hard for me to make you feel sad, but the truth needs to be told and it would be even harder and unfair not to say that there are other people worthy of that job. Have a nice day everybody and follow your passion ❤

Drawmer 1968ME